ELITE Supported Employment Agency Ltd is a voluntary organisation, which enables individuals with disabilities to access and maintain paid employment via a tested system of support and training. The Agency operates throughout the areas of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Caerphilly, with a Head Office in Llantrisant and a Training Suite in Talbot Green. The Agency does not focus on any particular industry, but matches individuals to employment suiting their choices, skills and abilities. The organisation is governed by a Management Committee consisting of individuals with disabilities, various professionals, parents, employers and representatives from other training organisations. The Agency is one of the growing number of Supported Employment Agencies working within Wales. The Agency is currently funded by the Social Services Departments of Rhondda Cynon Taff, Merthyr, Bridgend and Caerphilly, European Funds, SHAW Trust and the WCVA to work within Rhondda Cynon Taff, Bridgend, Merthyr and Caerphilly.

The Agency operates within the Welsh Model of Supported Employment, which commences with the referral to the Agency of individuals interested in paid employment. Individuals can refer themselves to the Agency or can be referred by staff at their Day Centre, Social Worker, Support Worker, Family, Friend, Teachers or Lecturer. The individual may also be referred by the Disability Employment Adviser at their local Job Centre. The initial stage of Supported Employment involves the correct job matching of individuals to vacancies, based on their choices, abilities and circumstances. It is therefore necessary for the Agency to work closely with individuals, their support system and family, carers or friends prior to employment to obtain this knowledge through a carefully structured assessment procedure. When an appropriate job has been identified individuals are given one to one support from the Agency's Employment Training Co-ordinators. This support includes counselling and support prior to interviews, accompanying individuals to interviews, specially tailored one to one training within a workplace and support with the social aspects of a job. This support is maintained until a person is able to work independently. However, to ensure that a job remains successful, withdrawal of an Employment Training Co-ordinator is very gradual and is gauged over a period of time, via task analysis and consultation with their employer. All training is tailored to the individual's needs and is based on the principle of systematic instruction.

The Agency needs to work closely with the employer negotiating the individual's hours, pay, responsibilities and rights, to name but a few. Employment Training Co-ordinators enter the place of work prior to an individual commencing employment to learn the job for themselves, understand the culture of the workplace and to allay concerns staff may have with regards to the individual entering their workplace. The Agency will also work with other organisations to obtain any help an individual may need, ranging from equipment, transport assistance to work or adaptations to a workplace.

Work choices cover a whole range of employment, illustrated by the current jobs ELITE deals with including production, cleaning, animal care, retail and catering. Individuals work a variety of hours ranging from one hour per week to forty four hours per week. This employment includes weekends, evenings and rota system or shift work. When an individual obtains paid employment, they are treated as any other employee, working the same hours, paid the same rate of pay and working to the same quality standards.