Foundations of good practice

Overview

Good practice in getting to know the person means using approaches that put them at the centre and help them feel safe, confident and supported across their entire employment journey. These approaches guide how employment consultants build trust, develop a strong understanding of the person and provide positive, strengths-based support. 

Key strategies for success

• Person-centred planning – this means focusing exclusively on what the person wants – their goals, interests, and needs, and working with them to create an employment plan that fits their life and personal circumstances.¹ See more information on person-centred approaches.
• Strengths-based approach – instead of focusing on what the person struggles with, a strength-based approach involves starting with what they can do. This builds confidence and helps the person see their own abilities.² See more information on strengths-based practice.
• Trauma-informed practice – some people have had difficult experiences that affect how they interact with or trust others, including in workplaces or with employment services. Taking a trauma-informed approach to working with people reminds employment service professionals to create safe, calm and respectful spaces, so that people feel comfortable and heard.³ See more information on trauma-informed approaches.
• Working alliances – the positive, supportive relationship between an employment consultant and a jobseeker. This idea comes from counselling and in employment services, it means having shared goals, working cooperatively and building trust. These things help motivate jobseekers, especially those facing barriers to employment. Research shows that when employment consultants and jobseekers have a strong working alliance, jobseekers are more likely to achieve positive employment or education outcomes.⁴