Encouraging a different view

Dyslexia and autism had long closed off many career paths for Simon Hamilton, but they have helped his career in parking

Dyslexia and autistic tendencies long presented barriers to office work for Simon Hamilton, who found himself working in manual jobs for over 20 years. However, his acute observation skills have enabled the 45-year-old to undertake a career change. He is now reviewing video evidence at Imperial Civil Enforcement’s Business Processing Unit in Northampton. In this role his particular skills and attention to detail are proving to be invaluable.

Hamilton grew up in Northamptonshire and after leaving school held a variety of jobs in the hospitality and catering sector. He is a keen musician, and played as a percussionist with a local folk-rock band that toured the country a few years ago, but has mainly found himself doing jobs that did not engage him. 

After leaving his last job, Hamilton volunteered at the Northampton Job Centre to gain some experience of office work. He then registered with Remploy, a provider of specialist employment services to disabled people, to help him prepare for and secure sustainable employment that would not only accommodate but harness skills founded on his dyslexia and autistic tendencies. 

Remploy works in partnership with more than 2,500 employers, providing transformational employment opportunities to disabled people and those with complex needs. 

Remploy put Hamilton in contact with Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions (ICES), a specialist developer and provider of software and solutions for parking, environmental management and urban traffic management. 

After an initial trial at the enforcement specialist’s operation at The Lakes in Northampton, he was recruited in a full-time role and has not looked back since. For the past year, a Remploy in-work support advisor has helped Hamilton settle into his new role at ICES and to review and support any specific requirements he may require in his work. 

“Everyone at ICES has made me really welcome,” says Hamilton. “And I’m really pleased I’m able to make a significant contribution to the company’s work for clients all over the country. I’m really enjoying the work and the people I’m working with. Before joining the company, however, I had absolutely no idea about the career opportunities in the parking industry. Who would have thought that it would prove to be such a perfect career fit for me?” 

Hamilton’s works in the ICES evidence review team, which is responsible for reviewing CCTV and photographic evidence in connection with penalty charge notices (PCNs) and fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued by local authorities, as well as parking charge notices issued by private parking service providers. 

His role focuses on CCTV video evidence, where his ability to identify even the slightest discrepancy or inconsistency in routine and repetitive tasks is truly second nature. 

“From the outset, it was obvious that Simon had uncanny observation skills,” says ICES team supervisor Sarah Stockton-Kelly. “His attention to detail is exceptional and ideally suited for reviewing video footage because stringent rules apply to the appeals process for all PCNs and FPNs. His skills have also proved to be invaluable when reviewing the functionality of upgrades to our new software systems. He has proved to be a real asset to the team. We’re absolutely delighted he’s enjoying his work and has found such a fulfilling role, as he endured so many frustrating experiences.”