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All but four of the severely disabled are full-time employees, appointed
under special terms and conditions of service. A full 40-hour week is worked,
with the men earning £10. 16s. 8d. per week and the women £8. 0s. 10d.
Responsibility allowances of up to £2 weekly may also be paid. Travelling
expenses up to 4/- daily and free midday meals are provided. Two weeks paid
holiday is given each year and trade union membership is open to every
employee.
An interesting opportunity arose during the year to place a supervised
group of disabled persons with an outside firm to meet a short term labour
need.
See Appendix, page 122.
2. Bensham Assessment & Rehabilitation Centre
This centre provides industrial work assessment for disabled persons who
may eventually be capable of open employment. It was primarily established
to provide a service for the mentally disordered, although some physically
disabled persons can also be accommodated if alternative provision is not
available.
It is run by the Council, with the active support and participation of the
Department of Employment & Productivity.
Persons admitted to the centre are allowed to attend for up to 12 months.
By the end of that time, and preferably sooner, they must move on - either to
open employment, to sheltered work, or, in the event of failure, back to the
centre or hospital which referred them.
See Appendix, page 123.
3. Waylands Craftwork. Training & Social Centre
This centre has three aims - to provide social activities and entertainment
for disabled persons of all categories in leisure hours, i.e. evenings and
weekends; to supply a wide range of occupational pastimes for 80 physically
handicapped persons during weekdays and to function - in a separate wing-as
an adult training centre for 120 mentally handicapped persons.
The information given in Appendix, page 123, refers only to the latter
section - the remainder being the responsibility of the Chief Welfare Officer.