Domains
There are 4 main domain headings; Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social. The choice of domains are optional. For example, you may complete all four domains, or just one. This depends on your needs.
Each domain has a set of sub-topics to help individuals consider their own needs, strengths, and challenges.
Each sub-topic has a set of optional prompts or phrases to help create content. Additional space is also provided for individuals to write their own comments about their unique needs, if required.
Information must be saved regularly, to ensure the creation of the Empowerment Passport.
Case Studies
1. A post-graduate who has a Neurodiverse condition, and is seeking a job.
Philip Scholl is 21-year-old university graduate who has just achieved a 2:1 degree in marine biology. He is currently seeking a job dealing in marine research.
Philip has Dyslexia and ADHD. He was supported throughout university via student disability services and received equipment adjustments, extra time in exams and additional 1:1 mentorship throughout his course. He is anxious about declaring his disability to employers as he knows recruitment is very competitive. He decides to join a recruitment agency and completes his own Empowerment Passport detailing all the adjustments that worked well for him in university. Philips needs are likely to fall under the Equality Act.
Outcome
Philip completed his own Empowerment Passport detailing the range of simple adjustments that helped him at university and in previous employment.
As Philip prepares for a discussion with his new prospective employer, he chooses to share his Empowerment Passport prior to interview. Philip has uploaded his previous student disability report as additional supporting information stored within his Empowerment passport should it be required.
The Employer reads Philips Empowerment Passport and is more confident to make reasonable adjustments for interview based on the contents.
This helps the employer fulfil best practice for the interview process.
To view Philip Scholl’s Empowerment Passport click here.
2. A lab technician experiences physical pain, and needs to reduce her hours.
Olivia McDonald is a 32-year-old laboratory technician working in a large acute hospital and has recently reduced her working hours from full time (37.5) to 22.5 hours per due to her back problems.
Four years ago, Olivia was involved in a road traffic accident as a passenger in her sister’s vehicle. Olivia initially suffered whiplash, but over time has experienced increasing levels of back pain which now affects her ability to lift/sit/walk for long periods and affects her mood and sleep. Over the last 4 years her sickness levels have increased and is now impacting on her team. Olivia was referred to Occupational health by her line manager who recommended reasonable adjustments as Olivia’s condition is likely to fall under the Equality act.
Outcome
Olivia completed her own Empowerment Passport detailing all the adjustments that have worked well for her in preparation for a discussion with her employer to endorse the proposed reasonable adjustments using the Empowerment Passport Action Plan. The manager has also adjusted Olivia’s sickness triggers in line with best practice.
To view Olivia McDonald’s Empowerment Passport click here.
3. A woman requires mental health adjustments.
Ellen Waring is a 57-year-old Dental assistant who works full time in her local dental practice. Ellen has recently come back to work after 5 months off sick after having been admitted to hospital for her mental health (long standing depression and anxiety).
Ellen has a named community psychiatric nurse who she sees her every 3 months for monitoring the effects of her medication due to also having diabetes. The Community Psychiatric nurse encouraged Ellen to complete an empowerment passport to enable her to discuss her needs with her new manager as well as storing her wellness recover action plan. It is known Ellen struggles more with her mental health at times of change in her life. Her recent relapse occurred following the dental practice being bought by a chain of practices with notification of major restructuring and the appointment of a new manager.
Outcome:
The new manager has read Ellen’s completed Empowerment Passport including the WELLNESS RECOVERY ACTION PLAN written by her community psychiatric nurse and successfully implemented simple but effective adjustments and strategies to help Ellen maintain her mental wellbeing at work.
1) Everyone who is eligible for support in education and employment is empowered to discuss the support and the services they receive.
2) One often reported phenomenon is the hidden effects of trying to explain to people what it is like to live with your condition on a day to day basis. Often when it comes to services such as educational services, there can be many different processes to go through in order to get the right help at the right time.
3) The Empowerment passport is what it says. It Empowers you to be able to tell others about how THEY can change their services to enable you to access the services they provide.
To view Ellen Waring’s Empowerment Passport click here.
