Service earns quality accolade

4:16pm Wednesday 21st May 2008

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A SERVICE which provides support for disabled people to find and keep work has been praised by inspectors.

Blackburn with Darwen's Supported Employment Service has "outstanding" quality of provision.

That's the judgement of inspectors from Ofsted, who found that all areas of the service were good or outstanding.

The service is delivered by Bootstrap Enterprises after being transferred from the council Paul Wilson, who manages the supported employment service at Bootstrap, said: "Our last inspection, when we were part of the council, was excellent.

"We knew that we would have to work hard to make sure the service continued to be as good, especially as we transferred to Bootstrap.

"It is great to see that we are still getting the highest ratings, because that means we are getting it right for people in Blackburn with Darwen."

Coun David Foster, executive member for social services, said: "The supported employment team does a fantastic job.

"They did it as part of the council and they continue to do it as part of Bootstrap.

"They work hard to improve the lives of people with disabilities and to help employers realise that disabled people can make a great contribution in the workplace."