Alan’s One Page Profile helps him save his job

Alan has a learning disability. He plays snooker and golf, enjoys metal detecting and, for the past six years, he has been supported by Dimensions to work at the local Morrisons, a role that he has found tremendously fulfilling.

Along with everyone else at Dimensions, Alan has a One Page Profile – a summary of what makes him tick – to help him and those around him. This is the story of how that One Page Profile helped Alan save his job.

Alan is really dedicated and hard working. He has earned pay rises and has made lots of friends there too

Alan’s Support Worker

One of the ways Alan’s learning disability shows through is in anxiety and extreme negativity; he is also easily confused.

At home, support team Mahmoud and Ian counteract this by discussing issues and highlighting positives. Being supported helps Alan try new things, knowing there is someone beside him if he needs extra help. But of course, his support team can’t accompany him to work.

After a while, Alan started returning home from work feeling negative and frustrated. There was a real worry that either Alan or Morrisons might lose faith and decide to part company.

But, his support team didn’t want him to lose out on the fantastic opportunities the job has offered him.

By sharing and discussing Alan’s One Page Profile, Morrisons and his line manager gained a deeper understanding of Alan, both his abilities and the areas where he needs a little more support. And, his support team gained a better understanding of the roots of the conflict, so were better able to help Alan work through these.

The One Page Profile is just one of a wide range of simple, practical tools that help people supported by Dimensions to exert choice and control over their lives.

And it looks like it’s catching – we increasingly hear stories of employers using One Page Profiles within their own workforces to great effect.

Alan is much more positive about his role now. He has maintained his role at Morrisons and is doing a great job.

Alan’s Support Worker

*not his real name or photo