IPES Helps Tom Land His Dream Job

• Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES) helps people with complex needs find and stay in employment.
• Advisers provide one-to-one support, liaising with employers to find suitable roles for participants.
• Find out how IPES helped Tom secure his ideal job.

A programme delivered by the Growth Company is helping people with complex needs find work across the North West of England.  

Intensive Personalised Employment Support helps people with disabilities and long-term health conditions who face barriers to employment.

The programme offers participants up to 15 months of one-to-one support from a specialist key worker, with designated employer engagement consultants working closely with local businesses to identify suitable roles.

This support includes an assessment of individual needs, confidence building, a personalised job search strategy, creation of a CV focused on key strengths, the opportunity to carry out relevant work experience, and help with interview techniques.

IPES also covers in-work support for both the individual and their employer and can help participants to become self-employed or start their own business.

Since 2019, the programme has supported more than 2,000 participants, with 687 securing paid employment.

Tom falls into the latter group.

Tom’s Journey

Tom has always loved football.

When he was young, he would play at every opportunity. And if he was not kicking a ball, he was watching others do so, following his beloved Fleetwood Town up and down the country with his father.

It should come as no surprise, then, that Tom’s biggest ambition in life was to work in the game. However, his path to realising such a goal was obscured by several significant obstacles.

Tom was diagnosed with dyspraxia and autism at the age of two. Despite the unwavering support of his parents and a positive outlook, he struggled with the social dynamics of secondary school, which, at times, took a toll on his mental health.

Nevertheless, Tom persevered, and in time, grew in confidence. At 15, he was picked for the Lancashire disability football team, which took him to sporting venues around the UK, with his father going above and beyond to make sure Tom made it to every game. Sometimes, the pair would make the trip to one of Tom’s matches in the morning, before heading to a Fleetwood tie straight after.

Tom went onto study anthropology at university, where he thrived. But his attention always returned to football.

Then, in 2020, Tom had the good fortune of bumping into the vice-chairman of Fleetwood Town Juniors, Andy Smart, at a quiz night. Tom explained his background and desire to be involved in football. Andy immediately recognised Tom’s good nature and determination and invited him to volunteer at the club.

Tom has been involved with the junior teams on the coaching side ever since. For his efforts, he picked up the Fleetwood Town Juniors Volunteer of the Year award – an impressive accolade at an organisation that boasts over a thousand members.

IPES Helps Tom

Even so, Tom still wanted a paid role in the game. In 2023, he enrolled in IPES, explaining his motivations and aspirations. Our advisers helped him with his job search, CV, and interview preparation, an intensive process that eventually led to Tom being offered a role with Fleetwood Town Community Trust delivering the Premier League Kicks and disability programmes, which he duly accepted. Tom’s adviser continued to provide in-work support, including benefits advice.

Reflecting on his journey, Tom said: “This was my dream and I am just so happy. I will do the best job I can.”

Phil Bowker, a community engagement coach at the Trust, said: “I have known Tom for around four years and always knew what he wanted to do.

“I am so pleased he has now had that break and I am excited about what the future holds for Tom.”

Andy Smart added: “I am so delighted for Tom to have this role. When I told our under-14s Rangers team that he would now be working for the Community Trust, without hesitation, the whole team simply gave him a round of applause.

“That's how special and cared about he is. He will be nothing but a success due to his natural ability to be kind and caring. He is a great friend and I know his Mum and Dad love Tom doing what he is doing.”

Find Out More and Get In Touch

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a mission to generate growth, create jobs, and improve lives. We provide employment services across Greater Manchester, the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire and Humber.

Get in touch today to find out more.