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Finding and maintaining employment can be a challenge, especially if you receive disability benefits or are dealing with limitations. In these situations, a job coach can offer valuable support. In this article, we will discuss what a job coach does, who is eligible for job coaching, and which options and subsidies are available.
Table of contents
- A brief overview: what is a job coach?
- When am I eligible for a job coach?
- What kind of help can I enlist?
- Am I entitled to reimbursement for a job coach?
- What forms of job coaching are available?
- What does a job coach do within an organisation?
- Conclusion
A brief overview: what is a job coach?
A job coach is a professional who helps individuals receiving disability benefits to find work or retain their current position. The job coach also provides guidance in the workplace to ensure that the employee can perform their duties effectively.
When am I eligible for a job coach?
If you want to enlist the help of a job coach and have the costs reimbursed, you must meet certain conditions:
- You must be capable of working in a regular job, rather than in sheltered employment.
- You require additional guidance to perform your work correctly.
- You receive a disability benefit such as WAO, WIA, WAZ, or Wajong (Dutch disability schemes). Please note: Everyone is free to enlist the help of a job coach. If you are not entitled to a reimbursement, you can still approach a job coach privately!
What kind of help can I enlist?
If you meet the conditions mentioned above, you can apply for reimbursed job coaching via the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency). A job coach can assist you with, among other things:
- Finding a suitable job.
- Working independently at your workplace.
- Accepting the requirements associated with your work.
- Dealing with changes in your work or tasks. Once you are able to work independently again, the assistance of the job coach is no longer required.
Am I entitled to reimbursement for a job coach?
You can apply for an external job coach via the UWV or your local municipality, but certain conditions apply. For instance, you must already have a job, and the UWV must have determined that you have an illness or disability that hinders your ability to work, known as a structural functional limitation (SFB). If you meet these criteria, the costs for the job coach will be covered by the UWV or the municipality.
Note that the job coach must be certified by NOLOC and must be affiliated with an organisation recognised by the UWV.
What forms of job coaching are available?
There are two forms of job coaching available: external and internal job coaching. An external job coach is a professional who is not employed by your employer and comes from outside the company to support you. An internal job coach is an employee within your own organisation who has been trained to coach colleagues with limitations.
What does a job coach do within an organisation?
A job coach can assist your (former) employee in finding a suitable workplace and balancing workload with physical or mental capacity. The job coach is involved in the onboarding process, creates personal training programmes, and works step-by-step towards increasing the employee's independence. Furthermore, the job coach acts as a point of contact for you as an employer and can discuss potential subsidies and resolve bottlenecks. As an employer, you can apply for a job coach via the UWV.
Conclusion
Job coaching can be a valuable resource for individuals with disability benefits or impairments who are looking for work or wish to remain in employment. It can help you find the right job and perform your duties successfully. If you meet the criteria, you are entitled to this support, which in many cases is funded by the UWV or the local municipality. Consider this option if you need extra guidance and support to advance your career and achieve your goals.
For more information, please refer to the official government authorities:
https://www.regelhulp.nl/onderwerpen/hulp-bij-werk-vinden/jobcoach