But the 36 year old, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in her teens, is now thriving, working for Oxfordshire County Council’s in-house print company, County Print Finishers, which specialises in offering accessible employment to people who are experiencing a disability or long term health concern.

Jenny spent ten years after leaving secondary school in a mixture of part-time and full-time further education settings, including specialist colleges for people with autism.

She initially worked for the family’s MOT service business as a bookkeeper and a garage assistant. Jenny said: “No two days were the same at the garage. The business was going for 52 years before my dad and uncle retired and I lost my job. In the same year, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a really difficult time for me.”

After months of supporting her mother’s recovery, Jenny felt it was time to try and find a permanent job, but with funding being reduced from the charity that was supporting her, she was put in touch with Oxfordshire Employment to help her find the job she wanted.

Oxfordshire Employment is the county council’s service that works with people who have additional needs, understanding their individual skills and supporting them to find and maintain a job that’s right for them.

For Jenny, her stand out organisational skills, which she learnt during her time as a bookkeeper, and natural attention to detail were a clear advantage to any employer looking for reliable and hardworking staff.

And after receiving some interview training and support with her CV, Jenny was offered casual work with a party entertainment business, before earning a position at County Print Finishers in February 2020.

Having started in a part-time role, Jenny worked her way up in the company and is now a full-time grade five workforce associate, which is something she very much enjoys.

She said: “I have quite a lot of responsibility here. I look after a production line that does things like the relabelling of goods, making them ready to sell in shops. I make sure there aren’t any mistakes and keep the production line flowing. My aim is to one day be a supervisor.”

Jenny is an integral part of the County Print Finishers team, based in Osney Mead in Oxford. As well as making sure the production line operates smoothly, she’s recently gained her forklift truck licence and is working towards even more qualifications to help her continue to progress her career.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Jenny story of resilience and determination is truly inspiring. She has overcome a number of barriers to find and maintain full-time work and while Oxfordshire Employment has given her outstanding support, it’s Jenny’s hard work and aspirational attitude that’s really led to her success.

“She is a wonderful example of how people from a range of backgrounds, with unique skills and dedication, can bring value and diversity to Oxfordshire’s workforce.”

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Oxfordshire Employment is an important arm of the council’s adult social care services, giving adults who may have previously struggled to find a job the opportunity to gain vital work experience and support them to find and retain stable employment.

The good rating is a new standard awarded through the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), which has been created to help drive continuous improvement across the sector.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Oxfordshire Employment offers huge value for adults with additional needs, supporting them to live well and independently through meaningful employment opportunities.

“By securing and retaining a job, individuals gain a real sense of achievement, being part of a workforce and living as independently as possible. It’s great news that the service has been graded good under the new accreditation system and I look forward to it supporting even more people as it continues to grow.”

Oxfordshire County Council is one of the first organisations to go through the new assessment. The process involved two days of onsite audits and included the submission of more than 150 pieces of supportive evidence.

The assessors spoke with a range of customers, employers and partners, as well as county council staff.

Oxfordshire Employment plays an important part in the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to support people to live well and independently, within their own communities for as long as possible.

It is also part of the council’s commitment to working with local businesses and partners for environmental, economic and social benefit. The programme adds significant social value while helping to diversify the local job market.

The council has been providing supported employment for almost 80 years.

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Hosted by Oxfordshire County Council, the event recognises the people taking part in the local authority’s Oxfordshire Employment programme, that helps individuals with long-term health issues or a disability to find and retain work.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Corporate Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Our Oxfordshire Way vision looks to support people to live well and independently within their own communities and having a meaningful job can play a big part in this.

“Meaningful employment is something everyone should be able to achieve, but barriers can exist that can lead to people with additional needs feeling excluded from the workplace.

“While our Oxfordshire Employment programme helps to break down these barriers, it’s the skills and determination of the people looking for work that makes the real difference.

“I congratulate all the people who have been recognised and wish them all the success for the future.”

The awards are now into their tenth year and at last night’s ceremony, seven adults were celebrated for their achievements in finding and retaining employment. They included Wolff Skevos-Jones who was named County Print Finishers’ Employee of the Year, and Bradley Milsom who won the Oxfordshire Supported Intern of the Year award.

A special award was also presented to Michael Jackman (pictured on the left), who has been working for the council’s commercial print company, County Print Finishers, for 45 years.

Michael joined the workforce when it was called B&H Industries and has remained a key member of the team ever since. He currently leads the packing operations as well as being involved in the entire production system.

He was awarded his prize by Ruth Shepherd from the Department for Work and Pensions (pictured on the right), for a lifetime of commitment, achievement and for being an amazing advocate for the benefits of supported employment.

Michael said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time working at County Print Finishers. It’s more than just a job to me and I’m really proud to have received this award.”

Oxfordshire County Council has been providing supported employment for almost 80 years, giving adults who may have previously struggled to gain a job the opportunity to get vital work experience and support them to find and retain stable employment.

Oxfordshire Employment is the councils’ programme that offers this support and operates as a go-between to match people with potential employers, as well as providing additional support including preparation for job interviews and advice about ways to retain employment.

The programme works closely with the council’s commercial print company, County Print Finishers, which can help provide the first steps into paid employment.

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Oxfordshire County Council has successfully applied to take part in the government’s Local Supported Employment scheme, receiving £320,000 over the next three years to help adults with learning disabilities, autism or both to move into competitive employment and provide the help they need to maintain that employment.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “We are already leading the way in supporting adults with additional needs to find the right career path through the council’s Oxfordshire Employment programme. This funding will enable us to help even more people to secure meaningful jobs, giving them the ability to live independent lives while contributing to the future success of a local business.”

Oxfordshire is one of 24 local authorities in England and Wales to be awarded a share of the grant totalling £7.6million. The funding will allow Oxfordshire Employment to expand its team of specialist advisors, enabling people to develop their skills and find the job they want, helping them to settle in and offering longer term support if needed.

The money will also be spent on providing an employment specialist to join the council’s moving into adulthood team, helping younger people with learning disabilities and autism to take their first steps into the job market.

Oxfordshire County Council has been providing supported employment for more than 75 years, giving adults who may have previously struggled to find a job the opportunity to gain vital work experience and support them to find and retain stable employment.

Oxfordshire Employment also plays an important part in the council’s commitment to working with local businesses and partners for environmental, economic and social benefit. The programme adds significant social value while helping to diversify the local job market, enabling residents to live well and as independently as possible within their own community. 

Cllr Bearder continued: “This is another great example of The Oxfordshire Way in practice. By putting the individual at the heart of all decisions and working with local employment partners, we are helping people live satisfied, independent lives, without the need for more formal care.”

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