David’s journey to a new career was made possible by his dedication and eagerness to gain meaningful employment. He was referred to Dorset Supported Employment Services because he wanted to return to work after an absence. His main motivation was to contribute meaningfully and re-establish himself in the workplace. And if he could do that in an administrative role, that would be perfect!
He’d previously worked for Bournemouth Council for several years, gaining valuable experience across a range of administrative positions. Alongside this, David remained actively involved in his community. David is a Dorset resident with lived experience of Adult Social Care and Housing services. He’s also an unpaid carer.
This is how he became a representative on the Quality Assurance Lived Experience Reference Group. Through this role, he attends regular meetings with Dorset Council staff and residents. He regularly contributes ideas, shares feedback, and supporting discussion around service development and improvement.
Starting support
Our team first met David at the Allendale Centre in Wimborne. During our initial meeting, we talked through the type of work he was looking for. It was also important to explore any barriers that might make returning to employment more challenging. David was open about the fact that difficulties with his mental and general health had influenced his decision to leave his previous role.
Recently, David delivered a presentation at the Bournemouth International Centre. He spoke about being diagnosed ten years ago with temporal lobe epilepsy. With the right medication and improved sleep management, David has not experienced a seizure for three years. Although he still has occasional focal seizures, he feels positive about how he is managing his condition.
Preparing for employment
To support his return to work, David undertook several courses to refresh and update his skills, particularly in IT. He completed ongoing training to ensure he was confident using platforms commonly required in administrative roles.
Our team also arranged a number of online meetings with colleagues across our organisation. These sessions gave David additional practice using online meeting platforms. These had become an important part of his involvement with both the epilepsy focus group and the Quality Assurance Reference Group. Together, we explored different ways of making online interactions more comfortable, helping his confidence grow gradually with each meeting.
Securing a role and ongoing support
In January 2026, David felt ready to move back into paid employment. Around the same time, Dorset Council advertised a role that closely matched his experience and interests. The position of Quality Assurance Lived Experience Advisor reflected work David was already doing on a voluntary basis. And it offered him the opportunity to deepen his involvement with residents and council teams.
David completed the application and wrote a strong personal statement demonstrating his suitability for the role. Shortly afterwards, he was offered the position, subject to DBS clearance.
Following this, we supported David with completing Supported Permitted Work paperwork and applying for Access to Work, with an assessment arranged for the end of January. We continue to work alongside David to ensure reasonable adjustments are in place as he settles into his role.
David’s journey reflects his persistence, self-awareness, and commitment to returning to work in a way that supports his health and strengths. He has also agreed to share his experiences of the support he has received as he continues in his role.
