Professional Advisers

St Loye's trains for jobs.

Our new business model is now up and running. We are the first among similar organisations to provide this level of flexibility through our Person Centred Approach and it’s paying dividends – St Loye’s is currently helping on average 80% of our trainees into employment, and we are now getting more diverse enquiries of training such as Digger Driving. Whilst we are really pleased with these results and the overall positive response we are receiving, our aim is to help even more disabled people into work and your role is vital towards achieving this.

As a Disability Employment Adviser, we hope you continue to provide us with applications for our Government Funding training and as a Professional Adviser from another organisation or service provider, we hope you will strongly consider St Loye’s as an option for your client, who wishes to gain employment.

We have provided you all with a range of Frequently Asked Questions, with responses that are applicable to you in your role. Please take time to look through these as we believe you will find this information extremely useful when considering St Loye’s.

We very much look forward to working with you and if you have any further questions or concerns, we would be keen to hear from you. You can either call us on 01392 286204 or e-mail info@stloyes.ac.uk

Frequently asked questions

Are you a DEA? If yes, click here...

Are you are another Professional Adviser? If yes, click here...

DEA frequently asked questions

The new model

What is the new St Loye’s model?
Why has St Loye’s changed the way they provide training?
How successful is the new model?
How does the new model affect the courses previously offered by St Loye’s?
How will the new model further benefit the trainees?
Does this mean the trainee can train nearer their own home?
How does the new model affect trainees who are currently on a course through the old model?
Why should I refer someone to St Loye’s?
Do you still offer training on a residential and non residential?
Can a visit be made to see St Loye’s before the applications is started?

Information available

What information do you have about the training you offer and what are the training options?
What information do you currently have on St Loye’s, which we can refer to and hand out?
What is the Personal Checklist and how is it used?
You use to have a list of courses available, why do you not have that now?

Referrals/Assessments/Training

What is the referral process?
What do assessments involve and when do they take place?
How long is the initial assessment process?
Where are the assessments carried out?
What is the timescale between an assessment and the commencement of training?
What is a Pre-Referral Assessment?
Is there a waiting list for training?
How long do the trainees train for?

The Trainee, once in training

Will I be informed of any changes or developments with the trainees I have at St Loye’s?
What is the Case Managers role?
Do you provide any health support whilst training?
What does Personal Development and Support consist of?
Who pays for travel costs?
What support to you offer into employment?

General contact

Please visit the Contacts page

DEA answers

What is the new St Loye’s model?

SLF are now offering a Person Centred Approach.
Through our Person Centred Approach, SLF now have the unique ability to support the whole person. This means we will build an individually tailored programme around your customers strengths and work ambitions, which will include, the type of training best suited for them and their personal development needs. This will enable your customer to gain full paid employment at the earliest opportunity.
Back to the list

Why has St Loye’s changed the way they provide training?

Changing times need innovative responses. The profile of those who require specialist training and support has broadened in recent years and there has been a significant shift away from training for well-being alone and more towards training for work, whilst still supporting the whole person. In addition to this SLF want to ensure we keep up and adapt quickly to with the constant changes within industry and commerce. SLF has made a positive response to all these factors and are now offering our Person Centred Approach.

Back to the list

How successful is the new model?

Early days, but indications are that this will be a truly dynamic training model and the benchmark for others to follow.

This is supported by some very pleasing statistics – St Loye’s are on average helping 80% of trainees back into work.

Back to the list

How does the new model affect the courses previously offered by St Loye’s?

SLF has opened up the level of flexibility with our training. Training is not limited to courses offered by SLF itself. A number of trainees may want skills or personal training available outside SLF. We can package such training for trainees and they will still benefit from our personal development and support services.

We now offer a choice of training from either the different modules that are currently offered in-house, or external training or both, depending on the trainees work ambitions and needs.

Back to the list

How will the new model further benefit the trainees?

The choice for training has significantly opened.
We can offer excellent training, whilst supporting the whole person.
Trainees do not have to be resident at SLF for months on end or indeed resident at SLF at all. We can accommodate shorter courses using our residential facilities, or trainees can be resident at home or closer to their external training, depending on their individual circumstance.
There is more flexibility with the duration of training, allowing trainees to adapt their training to suit their personal circumstances and gain employment at the earliest opportunity.
By providing a devolved person centred service, unencumbered by high property related costs, we can allocate resources directly to the trainee’s individual programme.

Back to the list

Does this mean the trainee can train nearer their own home?

This is certainly what we have in mind with the new SLF model. But it will depend on the training direction your customer requires and their personal circumstances, some training is only offered in certain areas, so they may have to travel or stay away from home.

Back to the list

How does the new model affect trainees who are currently on a course through the old model?

We will continue to work through every current trainee’s Individual Learning Plan so therefore their training should not be affected.

Back to the list

Why should I refer someone to St Loye’s?

Through our Person Centred Approach we now offer far more flexibility and choice of training, whilst supporting the whole person, so that trainees can gain employment at the earliest opportunity.

Back to the list

Do you still offer training on a residential and non residential?

With the new model SLF makes this much easier, we can provide residential training and training nearer the trainee’s own home or travel to work area, so they have a choice.

Back to the list

Can a visit be made to see St Loye’s before the applications is started?

Yes, absolutely. We are still currently holding Open Days once a month. Click on Open Days for further information.   We also offer DEAs an opportunity for their customers to have a pre-referral assessment, more details on this under Referrals/Assessments/Training.

Back to the list

What information do you have about the training you offer and what are the training options?

We now offer a choice of training from either the different modules that are currently offered in-house, or external training or both, depending on the trainees work ambitions and needs.
If you wish to discuss training options then please contact our Case Managers for:

Exeter Office: 01392 286265 nedwards@stloyes.ac.uk
                     01392 286297 proberts@stloyes.ac.uk

Neath Office: 07966 404859 / 01792 824888 / iterrill@stloyes.ac.uk

As our new services develop we are planning to produce Job Option Cards, which will include sample information relating to training and jobs.

Back to the list

What information do you currently have on St Loye’s, which we can refer to and hand out?

You can find details of all our current printed information available to you and your clients on this web-page

Back to the list

What is the Personal Checklist and how is it used?

This is a tool used by SLF to identify and focus on the trainee’s strengths and work goals and is an important part off choosing the right training, support and personal development needs to help trainees get a job at the earliest opportunity. We use the Personal Checklist at Open Days, during one-to-one visits and at pre-referral assessments, (more details on this can be found further down).

Back to the list

You used to have a list of courses available, why do you not have that now?

The reason we do not list courses is because we are tailor training to each individual, we could not possibly list every permutation that may be required. However, as our new services develop we are planning to produce Job Option Cards, which will include sample information relating to training and jobs.

Back to the list

What is the referral process?

If you are a new DEA and are unaware of how to make an application to the Residential Training Unit (RTU), then please either contact the RTU direct at:
Government Office for the North East, Citygate, Gallowgaet, Newcastle upon tyne, NE1 4WH.
Tel; 0191 202 3579
Fax: 0191 202 3739
Email; rtu@gone.gsi.gov.uk

Or alternatively contact our Client Recruitment Officer on:

Tel No: 07740 582350

He will be more than happy to help you with any queries relating to the application process.

Back to the list

What do assessments involve and when do they take place?

SLF offer a Pre-Referral Assessment service to DEAs, and also carry out initial assessments with all new trainees once their applications arrive with us.

The initial assessment consists of the Case Managers focussing on building the trainees programme. This includes assessing the trainees needs by working through the following areas:

Training Programmes
Personal Development
Support Services
Employment Services
Accommodation
Health
Leisure and Life Skills

The Case Manager will also identify the trainee’s employment aims and form the beginning of the Individual Employment Plan. For all assessment enquiries, please contact the Case Managers for:

Exeter Office: 07712 774497
Neath Office: 07966 404859

Back to the list

How long is the initial assessment process?

On average the initial assessment is carried out over 3 days.

Back to the list

Where are the assessments carried out?

This depends on the individual trainees circumstances. It may take place in the trainees own home area or it may take place at a SLF centre. The Case Managers/Administration team will contact the DEA and trainee prior to the assessment being carried out to discuss or confirm the location for assessment.

Back to the list

What is the timescale between an assessment and the commencement of training?

There is no fixed timescale as this depends on the trainee’s individual circumstances and the availability of their training; however we are keen to get people into training as soon as possible.

Back to the list

What is a Pre-Referral Assessment?

The Pre-Referral Assessment is an optional resource carried out before an application is made. This involves SLF working through a Personal Checklist on a one-to-one basis with your customer at the Jobcentre Plus. Please see Personal Checklist for further information. If you would like to find out more about the Pre-Referral Assessment, please contact the Client Recruitment Officer on:

Tel No: 07740 582350

Back to the list

Is there a waiting list for training?

Not at the moment and going forward with the new model we aim for this not to be an issue.

Back to the list

How long do the trainees train for?

This depends on the individual trainees circumstances. It could be as short as 4 weeks and as long as 26 weeks. This will all be discussed with the Case Managers during assessment.

Back to the list

Will I be informed of any changes or developments with the trainees I have at St Loye’s?

Yes, our aim going forward is to ensure you are kept up to date on a frequent and consistent basis. We are currently working on the best way to inform you of changes which we will announce to you very shortly. In the meantime, the Case Managers will deal with you direct.   The Case Managers will also be happy to discuss any concerns or queries you have towards your trainee’s programme.

Back to the list

What is the Case Managers role?

Case Managers co-ordinate the overall programme towards employment. They will be more than happy to discuss any concerns or queries you have towards your trainee’s programme.

Back to the list

Do you provide any health support whilst training?

Residential and day trainees will have access to 24hr care and medical facilities.

Back to the list

What does Personal Development and Support consist of?

From induction through to the point of job readiness the Personal Development Co-ordinator works closely with the trainees, support team and Case Managers as part of the trainee’s programme.

Personal Development can include a range of duties from delivering one-to-one or group training on developmental needs and/or introducing trainees to other development services and programmes to enhancing trainee’s employability skills. For more information on Personal Development please contact the Personal Development Co-ordinator on:

Tel No: 07894 587109 / 01392 286297
E-mail: htrivett@stloyes.ac.uk

The support team provide support services to trainees during the day and night time hours. They provide support on issues relating to health, residential, benefits and trainee’s well-being as well as co-ordinating social and recreational activities. For more information on the services offered by the support team, please contact the Support Team Manager on:

Tel No: 07966 552876 / 01392 286272
E-mail: pmitchell@stloyes.ac.uk

Back to the list

Who pays for travel costs?

For all travel cost related enquires please contact our main reception on 01392 255428

Back to the list

What support to you offer into employment?

Shaw Trust, a partnership organisation to St Loye’s, works on behalf of St Loye’s to provide support in the workplace depending on what your customer requires. It could be a weekly visit, telephone call or email, just to keep in touch. Or it could involve providing ongoing counselling to ensure your customers confidence remains during those first few weeks in a new job. We work together to ensure that your customer has a smooth transition into employment. For more information on this please click on the Employers page.

Back to the list

Other Professional Advisers answers

What is the new St Loye’s model?

SLF are now offering a Person Centred Approach.
Through our Person Centred Approach, SLF now have the unique ability to support the whole person. This means we will build an individually tailored programme around your client’s strengths and work ambitions, which will include, the type of training best suited for them and their personal development needs. This will enable your customer to gain full paid employment at the earliest opportunity.

Back to the list

Why has St Loye’s changed the way they provide training?

Changing times need innovative responses. The profile of those who require specialist training and support has broadened in recent years and there has been a significant shift away from training for well-being alone and more towards training for work, whilst still supporting the whole person. In addition to this SLF want to ensure we keep up and adapt quickly to with the constant changes within industry and commerce. SLF has made a positive response to all these factors and are now offering our Person Centred Approach.

Back to the list

How successful is the new model?

Early days, but indications are that this will be a truly dynamic training model and the benchmark for others to follow.

This is supported by some very pleasing statistics – St Loye’s are on average helping 80% of trainees back into work.

Back to the list

How does the new model affect the courses previously offered by St Loye’s?

SLF has opened up the level of flexibility with our training. Training is not limited to courses offered by SLF itself. A number of trainees may want skills or personal training available outside SLF. We can package such training for trainees and they will still benefit from our personal development and support services.

We now offer a choice of training from either the different modules that are currently offered in-house, or external training or both, depending on the trainees work ambitions and needs.
SLF has opened up the level of flexibility with our training. Training is not limited to courses offered by SLF itself. A number of trainees may want skills or personal training available outside SLF. We can package such training for trainees and they will still benefit from our personal development and support services.

We now offer a choice of training from either the different modules that are currently offered in-house, or external training or both, depending on the trainees work ambitions and needs.

Back to the list

How will the new model further benefit the trainees?

The choice for training has significantly opened.
We can offer excellent training, whilst supporting the whole person.
Trainees do not have to be resident at SLF for months on end or indeed resident at SLF at all. We can accommodate shorter courses using our residential facilities, or trainees can be resident at home or closer to their external training, depending on their individual circumstance.
There is more flexibility with the duration of training, allowing trainees to adapt their training to suit their personal circumstances and gain employment at the earliest opportunity.
By providing a devolved person centred service, unencumbered by high property related costs, we can allocate resources directly to the trainee’s individual programme.

Back to the list

Does this mean the trainee can train nearer their own home?

This is certainly what we have in mind with the new SLF model. But it will depend on the training direction your client requires and their personal circumstances, some training is only offered in certain areas, so they may have to travel or stay away from home.

Back to the list

How does the new model affect trainees who are currently on a course through the old model?

We will continue to work through every current trainee’s Individual Learning Plan so therefore their training should not be affected.

Back to the list

Why should I refer someone to St Loye’s?

Through our Person Centred Approach we now offer far more flexibility and choice of training, whilst supporting the whole person, so that trainees can gain employment at the earliest opportunity.

Back to the list

Do you still offer training on a residential and non residential?

With the new model SLF makes this much easier, we can provide residential training and training nearer the trainee’s own home or travel to work area, so they have a choice.

Back to the list

Can a visit be made to see St Loye’s before the applications is started?

Yes, absolutely. We are still currently holding Open Days once a month. Click on Open Days for further information.   We also offer DEAs an opportunity for their customers to have a pre-referral assessment, more details on this under Referrals/Assessments/Training.

Back to the list

What information do you have about the training you offer and what are the training options?

We now offer a choice of training from either the different modules that are currently offered in-house, or external training or both, depending on the trainees work ambitions and needs.
If you wish to discuss training options then please contact our Case Managers for:

Exeter Office: 07712 774497
Neath Office: 07966 404859

As our new services develop we are planning to produce Job Option Cards, which will include sample information relating to training and jobs.

Back to the list

What information do you currently have on St Loye’s, which we can refer to and hand out?

You can find details of all our current printed information available to you and your clients on this web-page

Back to the list

What is a Personal Checklist?

This is a tool used by SLF to identify and focus on the trainee’s strengths and work goals and is an important part off choosing the right training, support and personal development needs to help trainees get a job at the earliest opportunity. We use the Personal Checklist at Open Days, during one-to-one visits and at pre-referral assessments, (more details on this can be found further down).

Back to the list

You use to have a list of courses available, why do you not have that now?

The reason we do not list courses is because we are tailor training to each individual, we could not possibly list every permutation that may be required. However, as our new services develop we are planning to produce Job Option Cards, which will include sample information relating to training and jobs.

Back to the list

What is the referral process?

Government Funded applications must be made through the Disability Employment Advisers, (DEAs) at your client’s nearest Jobcentre Plus. The DEA will look at local training options with your client before considering the specialist support and training offered by SLF. If the DEA and your client decide SLF is the best option then an Application for Training form is completed by the DEA and sent to the Government Residential Training Unit for funding. Once approved the RTU then forward the application onto SLF. On receipt of the application SLF invite the trainee in for an initial assessment.

For more information on the role of the DEA please click www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Or alternatively contact our Client Recruitment Officer on:

Tel No: 07740 582350

He will be more than happy to put you in touch with your local DEA or help you with any queries relating to the application process.

Back to the list

What do assessments involve and when do they take place?

SLF offer a Pre-Referral Assessment to DEAs and also carry out initial assessments with all new trainees once their applications arrive with us.

The initial assessment consists of the Case Managers focussing on building the trainees programme. This includes assessing the trainees needs by working through the following areas:

Training Programmes
Personal Development
Support Services
Employment Services
Accommodation
Health
Leisure and Life Skills

The Case Manager will also identify the trainee’s employment aims and form the beginning of the Individual Employment Plan. For all assessment enquiries, please contact the Case Managers for:

Exeter Office: 07712 774497
Neath Office: 07966 404859

Back to the list

How long is the initial assessment process?

On average the initial assessment is carried out over 3 days.

Back to the list

Where are the initial assessments carried out?

This depends on the individual trainees circumstances. It may take place in the trainees own home area or it may take place at a SLF centre. The Case Managers/Administration team will contact the DEA and trainee prior to the assessment being carried out to discuss or confirm the location for assessment.

Back to the list

What is the timescale between an assessment and the commencement of training?

There is no fixed timescale as this depends on the trainee’s individual circumstances and the availability of their training; however we are keen to get people into training as soon as possible.

Back to the list

What is a Pre-Referral Assessment?

The Pre-Referral Assessment is an optional resource offered to DEAs and is carried out before an application is made. This involves SLF working through a Personal Checklist on a one-to-one basis at the Jobcentre Plus. Please see Personal Checklist for further information.

Back to the list

Is there a waiting list for training?

Not at the moment and going forward with the new model we aim for this not to be an issue.

Back to the list

How long do the trainees train for?

This depends on the individual trainees circumstances. It could be as short as 4 weeks and as long as 26 weeks. This will all be discussed with the Case Managers during assessment.

Back to the list

Will I be informed of any changes or developments with the trainees I have at St Loye’s?

The Case Managers will be happy to discuss any concerns or queries you have towards your clients programme.

Back to the list

What is the Case Managers role?

Case Managers co-ordinate the overall programme towards employment. They will be more than happy to discuss any concerns or queries you have towards your clients programme.

Back to the list

Do you provide any health support whilst training?

Residential and day trainees will have access to 24hr care and medical facilities.

Back to the list

What does Personal Development and Support consist of?

From induction through to the point of job readiness the Personal Development Co-ordinator works closely with the trainees, support team and Case Managers as part of the trainee’s programme.

Personal Development can include a range of duties from delivering one-to-one or group training on developmental needs and/or introducing trainees to other development services and programmes to enhancing trainee’s employability skills. For more information on Personal Development please contact the Personal Development Co-ordinator on:

Tel No: 07894 587109

The support team provide support services to trainees during the day and night time hours. They provide support on issues relating to health, residential, benefits and trainee’s well-being as well as co-ordinating social and recreational activities. For more information on the services offered by the support team, please contact the Support Team Manager on:

Tel No: 07966 552876

Back to the list

Who pays for travel costs?

For all travel cost related enquires please contact our main reception on 01392 255428

Back to the list

What support to you offer into employment?

Shaw Trust, a partnership organisation to St Loye’s, works on behalf of St Loye’s to provide support in the workplace depending on what your client requires. It could be a weekly visit, telephone call or email, just to keep in touch. Or it could involve providing ongoing counselling to ensure your clients confidence remains during those first few weeks in a new job. We work together to ensure that your client has a smooth transition into employment. For more information on this please click on the Employers page.

Back to the list