Navigating Disability and Mental Health with Ex-offenders

Childhood trauma and undiagnosed psychological disorders (anxiety, depression, bipolar, borderline personality disorder, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder etc.) are a barrier to employment we see quite often. With limited support networks available to them, together they make finding and keeping employment difficult for ex-offenders. Depending on the length of time incarcerated, there is often significant anxiety and they can feel overwhelmed upon release.

For some people with disability, the NDIS has been transformative, providing supports to achieve their goals. However, many people with disability have issues accessing the NDIS, navigating its complex processes, and using their plans.

With customers who have previously been incarcerated, we generally reduce their requirements right down to 0 to accommodate for limited access/understanding of technology. Things have changed in the jobs market and they don’t always have the skills to interact with employers.

In order to get the best service and support possible, they often need an assessment from Centrelink. So we often help them to make sure their medical evidence is all accessible and that they can take the documents to Centrelink and request an assessment.

Motivation is the most important element. The Bunbury Regional Pre-Release Prisoner Program has been great for us to build rapport with our customers before they are released and work on building motivation before they are ready to start work.

Once they are released from prison and their motivation is high, we tend to get the best results. We maintain that motivation by keeping morale high with a lot of encouragement and positive feedback. Our attitudes as Job Coaches is important too; if we are positive and high-energy and engaged, our customers tend to follow suit.

Once in employment we provide post-placement support and make sure everything at work is going well and facing challenges and hurdles together. This often includes helping with communication with the employer - to help bridge the gap and ensure understanding on both sides when there are issues to manage.

For customers who have limited computer skills, I sit with them on a computer as they work through job sites like SEEK and Indeed. We work through the application process together, making sure they complete the varying requirements from different job adverts.

Another way of job searching that I’ve found successful is taking customers around and completing resume drops and cold canvassing together. We print off a handful of resumes and go to companies of interest to make face-to-face introductions and hand in resumes. I can then follow up with the employer later to see if there has been any progress.

Sometimes, we call an employer direct, discuss the vacancy of interest, and advocate for our customers. If the role is suitable and the customer seems to be a good fit, we can then organise an interview with the employer. Generally, these are successful as we can build a foundation for what is to be expected in the interview process and can prepare our customers.