Issue Two:
Livelihood
Livelihood is a social enterprise offering digitalisation and information management services to the public, while providing essential work skills training and development pathways for people with disability. Livelihood is the result of a partnership between Macarthur Disability Services and Jigsaw, utilising Jigsaw’s model to operate in South Western Sydney. Macarthur Disability Services is familiar with the prevalence of disability in the Macarthur region, with the average percentage of people in Campbelltown, Camden and Wollondilly needing assistance with core activities being 5.5 per cent (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021). They are also aware of the low numbers of people with disability entering and retaining meaningful employment, as people with disability aged between 15 and 64 years have lower labour force participation than people without disability (Campbelltown City Council, 2025). Through Jigsaw’s innovative three-step program, Livelihood is able to equip its members with the necessary tools, confidence, and tailored support to transition smoothly into open employment.
“This belief in inherent strengths focuses on identifying and mobilizing the resources and assets, respecting the inherent wisdom, and knowledge that every person has, and leads to a rediscovery of these resources within the environment in which they live.” – Pulla, 2017
The Jigsaw model is mirrored in the three stages of the Livelihood work program. Livelihood’s intent in using this model is to provide a structured and supportive pathway to employment in the South Western Sydney region designed to support individuals with disability. The first stage, Academy, consists of one-on-one training in 20 foundational capabilities, such as punctuality and conflict management. This part of the program is funded by participants of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Once the participants have demonstrated competency in these foundational and transferable skills, they move to stage two, Digital. Stage two can offer successful trainees a 12-month paid employment opportunity within the social enterprise, working two days per week at award wages. This stage is funded through contracts secured by Livelihood with partner businesses who wish to procure their digitisation and information management services. This stage enables participants to practise their skills in a safe space, enhances the employability of the participants, and fosters a sense of independence and confidence in them. The third stage, Connect, facilitates the transition to open employment beyond this program. It ensures that participants and workplaces receive continuous guidance and opportunities for up to 12 months after transitioning into open employment, including training the workplace to be disability-inclusive. According to Jigsaw statistics provided by Livelihood, over 90 per cent of the 230 people employed or transitioned to employment under this model retain their employment to this day. This contrasts with existing employment models, in which 70 per cent of people with disability are unemployed after three months (Department of Social Services, 2024). The program’s holistic and supportive nature is what makes this model unique. Their hands-on practical training, real work experience and ongoing tailored individualised support has proven to ensure a smooth and successful transition into open employment for many people with disability in this region.
Livelihood also employs a strengths-based approach that focuses on identifying and leveraging a person’s inherent strengths, skills, and capabilities to achieve their goals. This approach is based on the belief that people are capable of growth, learning, and change, and they can be agents of change in their own lives (Pulla, 2017). Key features of this approach include focusing on individuals’ strengths and implementing a collaborative, holistic process that empowers individuals to take control of their own lives. It is outcome-led, focusing on achieving positive outcomes for the individual. Livelihood’s strengths-based approach is exemplified through practices such as daily team huddles, where staff and trainees discuss their “wins” for the day, address challenges and brainstorm solutions together. The trainees support one another through ‘shout-outs’ and providing peer mentorship to each other when needed, empowering them to be self-advocates. Livelihood’s work further maximises the capacity and potential of its participants by tailoring learning to their preferred styles, such as visual or auditory. Livelihood’s graduates are living proof of the benefits of the strengths-based approach, transitioning from being hesitant and lacking confidence, to using their skills and capabilities to become active participants in reaching their goal of employment.
Livelihood’s approach has been so successful that they have already reached full operational capacity in the original location and have since relocated to a larger site in Ingleburn to allow for growth. Livelihood’s work has resulted in successful transformations and achievements of personal milestones for many of its program graduates. One participant, James*, had been a passive attendee at his church group, but after participating in Livelihood, the pastor noticed a change in his maturity, professionalism in communication and interaction with people at church. As a result, James was offered a youth mentor role at the church, allowing him to build on his communication skills and confidence. Another success story is Ashley*, who despite being told that people with disability could not work, had always wanted to work. Initially intimidated, she has now mastered technology in the workplace and mentors younger trainees. These success stories demonstrate that Livelihood’s work has touched upon and vastly improved the quality of life of people living with disability In South Western Sydney. By addressing systemic barriers and fostering an inclusive work environment, Livelihood aims to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of the Australian workforce, making a profound impact on the lives of people with disability and the broader community.
*Names have been changed to maintain anonymity of participants
Evidence in practice
The Jigsaw model is a three-step program consisting of: Academy, which provides one-on-one training and work experience for participants in 20 foundational capabilities or ‘soft skills’; Digital, where participants receive award wage employment experience for 12 months in digitalisation and information management, helping them develop their professional skills; and Connect, which offers support to participants and workplaces in transitioning to and maintaining open employment (Hutchinson & Alexander 2023).
According to Niemiec and Tomasulo (2023), the strength-based approach is a framework that focuses on identifying and leveraging the inherent strengths, skills and capabilities of individuals. The emphasis is on examining what the individual can do rather than what they cannot do. The approach promotes development of self-esteem and self-determination, empowering people with disability to control their employment journey and achieve their goals (Saxe 2016).
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Data by region. Available from https://dbr.abs.gov.au/
Campbelltown City Council. (2025). People with Disability Information. Available from https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Community-Services-and-Programs/Programs-suitable-for-you/People-with-Disability/People-with-Disability-Information#:~:text=People%20aged%20between%2015%20and,people%20without%20disability%20(84%25)
Department of Social Services. (2024). Disability Employment Services Outcome Rates by Disability Type. Available from https://www.data.gov.au/data/dataset/disability-employment-services-outcome-rates-by-disability-type
Hutchinson & Alexander (2023). Jigsaw social impact framework stage 1 & 2 report literature review and theory of change. Caring Futures Institute. Available from https://researchnow-admin.flinders.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/100712691/Stage_1_2_Report_FINAL.pdf
Niemiec, R. M., & Tomasulo, D. (2023). Introduction to disability and strengths-based approaches. In R. M. Niemiec & D. Tomasulo (Eds.), Character strengths and abilities within disabilities (pp. 3-22). Springer.
Pulla, V. (2017). Strengths-based approach in social work: A distinct ethical advantage. International Journal of Innovation, 3(2), 97-114.
Saxe, A (2016). An overview of a strengths-based approach to employment for individuals with disabilities. AHEAD Journal. Available from https://www.ahead.ie/journal/An-Overview-of-a-Strengths-based-Approach-to-Employment-for-Individuals-with-Disabilities
