Young people

One of the biggest barriers to employment for people with a learning disability is a lack of aspiration and expectation that young people secure employment. Working with people at a young age while they are still at still at school or college, providing opportunities for work experience and making sure everyone has the information they ned is key to ensuring more people get into employment 

Our work has involved supporting the development of specialist employment navigation and careers advice needed to help individuals, support workers or other professionals understand the best way to get a job.

We can offer support with:
  • working with young people in special schools by delivering employment focused planning 
  • supporting carers groups to hold family workshops
  • hosting specialist employment provider meetings to explore quality, training and capacity partnerships
  • supporting the development of supported internships
  • offering support to employers interested in how they can employ more disabled people
We have been developing Supported Internships since 2012, supporting Local Authorities to develop programmes, generate increased employment aspirations, facilitate better partnership working and provide a focal point for local employers. This includes supported internships for young people who do not have an EHCP.
​We are supporting the Bristol SEND Employment Forum to develop and implement their Internship Works Action plan. This includes:
  • support and mentoring to managers
  • facilitation of training for practitioners
  • co-production of a guide to internships for families

Resources

WIGU was a four-year programme run by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities and funded by the Big Lottery Fund, which aimed to increase work expectations, aspirations and opportunities for students with learning disabilities at three schools and colleges in West Berkshire, Kent and the London Borough of Redbridge.

As part of this programme we developed a Handbook for Teachers. This consists of three main elements:

  • 10 session plans
  • Resources (including exercises, instructions and activity sheets)
  • Work profile
The programme is delivered as a series of 10 workshops which are designed to supplement the existing employment-focused activity at school, while also developing a conversation with families and engagement from employers. The work profile is to be completed during session nine, using information gathered during the activities and conversations that took place over the course of a programme. Session 10 offers an opportunity for the student to prepare and present their skills, qualities, preferences and support needs.

The resources are free to download below
Other useful publications about good quality employment provision
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Best practice guidelines
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Financial case for supported employment
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Families guide to getting a job
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