Employment Practice and Research Network (EPRN)

Supporting blind and partially sighted people to gain and retain employment.

Terms of Reference

The Employment Practice and Research Network (EPRN) has been established to support employers, researchers and employment professionals including HR disability management staff, in improving services for blind and partially sighted people wishing to obtain, and remain in, employment.

Our Aim

To bring together employment research and service delivery staff from a variety of organisations and academic institutions to share, discuss and disseminate best practice, research findings, and other information relevant to enabling blind and partially sighted people to obtain, and remain in employment, creating a professional and collaborative community.

Key tasks and responsibilities

  • raising awareness of and shaping initiatives to assist in driving up standards and professionalising the industry.
  • providing a forum for the exchange of resources, information, experience and expertise between network members;
  • organising training and learning opportunities which are relevant to the Network members’ needs.
  • improving reach and impact of employment services for blind and partially sighted people of working age.
  • supporting service delivery staff to gain greater confidence in their ability to support service users.
  • to be a source of information and expertise on relevant employment and service delivery issues.

Meetings

The EPRN hosts a face-to-face meeting a minimum of once a year andis supported by online resources, an e-newsletter and an online forum for network members.

Membership

The Employment Practice and Research Network (EPRN) is open to professionals working in the field of employment service and employment research including those working in advisory positions within Welfare to Work organisations and vocational rehabilitation.

The network is ideal for employers and people working in:

  • employment services
  • careers guidance
  • vocational rehabilitation
  • welfare-to-work
  • human resources and disability management
  • occupational health
  • academic and organisational research
  • employment policy for people with disabilities.

Commitment of network members

Each network member will:

  • encourage a proactive, collaborative approach to supporting colleagues within the network
  • maintain a professional and respectful relationship with all network members
  • commit to the aims of the group and communicate a consistent message about its work, so that its effectiveness is maximised
  • adhere to those items indicated within the EPRN 'Acceptable Use Policy'.

More information

For further information or to register your interest in joining theEmployment Practitioner and Researcher Network (EPRN), please contact Juliette Taylor or call 0121 665 4213.