At a meeting on 16 July, City of York Council's Executive Members for Housing and Adult Social Services and Advisory Panel (EMAP) will consider a report outlining the findings of an inspection of the council's Workstep programme.

Workstep provides up to 52 placements for people with disabilities who are keen to get into employment. Based at the Yorkcraft site on Tadcaster Road, the programme currently has 44 participants; 31 people hold positions in the Yorkcraft workshop whilst the remaining 13 have jobs with host employers in the private and public sector.

An inspection was carried out by the Adult Learning Inspectorate in February of this year and the findings were encouraging, with the overall management of the programme assessed as 'good'.

The report stated: "Support is very well planned to sustain participants in work. The Workstep team is active and responsive in meeting individual needs. Very good use is made of job coaching to develop a variety of personal and work skill. Good communication and partnership working successfully uses the professional skills of all involved with the delivery of support."

However, some corporate weaknesses were identified and the council has already made a determined effort to act on these. An action plan is being implemented to address the issues raised by the inspection. This incorporates a series of recommendations, including the need to promote opportunities more widely within council departments; the development of a marketing strategy; improved use of  Workstep as an option for people requesting day services from the council; and improved information for the public and managers.