Background

WISE was set up in 1984 by a group of parents who believed in giving people with a learning disability the opportunity to work. WISE is a registered charity, a limited company and a community co-operative.The type of supported employment offered by WISE is as defined by The Association for Supported Employment:"paid work in an integrated setting with ongoing support provided by an agency with expertise in finding employment for people with disabilities".

Funding

Originally the agency received funding from Europe and from the All Wales Strategy. Since 1997 funding has come through contracts held with the Social Services departments of the City and County of Swansea and the County Borough of Neath Port Talbot. WISE also operates several contracts for Jobcentre Plus (DWP), whilst ESF and other trusts and grant making bodies provide funding for projects which add value to the service offered.

Structure

The organisation is governed by a Management Committee which is responsible for overall policy decisions.The day to day running of the company is in the hands of the Director who heads the staff team. Staff roles tend to be specialised in that the Employment Consultants carry a caseload of Jobseekers while the Jobtrainers carry out the workplace training. WISE aims to provide Jobseekers with enough understanding and experience of work to enable them to to make informed choices. They will also be given the specialised training and support they need to succeed in work.