Support getting a job
Young people in Enfield have made a film which shows the range of different opportunities that are available to help young people with SEND into employment.
Useful links
- Equals can help you decide if you want a job, what sort of job you want to do and assist you on your path to work. They'll help with finding vocational training, looking and applying for jobs, interviews, and supporting you and employers once you have a job. To find out more, email learning.disabilities@enfield.gov.uk or contact them on 020 8379 5039 (textphone: 020 8379 3100).
- Evenbreak is an employment agency for those with disabilities
- National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work
- Universal Jobmatch lets you search and apply for full or part-time jobs
- Your local Job Centre can support you to look for work or gain new skills and tell you about disability friendly employers in your area. They can refer you to a specialist work psychologist, if appropriate, or carry out an employment assessment, asking you about your skills and experience and what kind of roles you're interested in. In partnership with MENCAP, the DWP are delivering tailored support to young people with a learning disability to access sustained employment or further education (PDF, 119.05 KB).
- Inspiring Families can help you to find a job, with writing your CV and offer support with interviews. They can provide you with a personal adviser while you're looking for work and after you have found work. For more information or to find out if you’re eligible, contact 020 8379 2525.
- Whizz-Kidz offer wheelchair users aged 14 to 25 years the chance to learn new skills and gain useful contacts, through work placements, internships and work skills days
- Disability Confident has been developed by employers and disabled people's representatives
- Access to Work financial grant can pay for special equipment or support worker services to help you do tasks like answer the phone or go to meetings, and help getting to and from work
- Blind in Business helps blind and partially sighted people into work
- Royal Society for Blind Children employment programme, supporting vision impaired young people aged 16 to 25 to develop the confidence and skills to achieve their employment aims
- Down's Syndrome Association Workfit is an employment programme which brings together employers and jobseekers who have Down's Syndrome
Volunteering and work experience
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to get some experience in the work place, and will look good on your CV when you start to apply for valued worker roles. If you are looking for volunteering opportunities, the Do-it organisation can help.
Work experience
Your school can help you find work experience opportunities, so you can try out an area of interest, find out what it’s like to work and get a reference for your CV.
Useful contacts
Traineeships and apprenticeships
Traineeships
Traineeships are courses with work experience that get you ready for work or an apprenticeship. It can last up to 6 months. You’ll get a work experience placement and help with English and maths. You won’t be paid, but may be given expenses for travel and meals.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine practical, on the job training with study, whilst earning a wage.
- If you would like to work in restaurants, hotels or other food and service businesses, the Camden Society, a London based social enterprise café, can give you all the training, qualifications and experience you need to get a job. There are other social enterprise cafes across London
- National Apprenticeship Service supports, funds and co-ordinates the delivery of apprenticeships throughout England
- First Rung can help you to find an apprenticeship
We offer apprenticeships for young people with an EHCP. We guarantee an interview to all applicants with a disability if they meet the essential criteria for a job. For more information, see our vacancies.
Internships and training
Supported Internships
Supported internships are study programmes for young people aged 16 to 25 who are able to work but need extra support.
Mencap
The MENCAP employment programme helps find an employer and internship for you in an area of work you are interested in.
West Lea School
West Lea School are working with us to provide a supported internship programme. Interns must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and be committed to work.
You will be assigned a job coach who will help you find the right job and support you during your internship. If you’re unable to travel on your own to the work placement, you will be given independent travel training. You will be working four days a week in your job and one day with a tutor learning work place skills.
Internships last from six months to one year. You won’t be paid, but could be offered a paid job at the end.
To find out more, see the Supported Internships leaflet (PDF, 4576.84 KB) or visit West Lea School. If you're interested in applying, complete the registration of interest form on their website.
CONEL College
CONEL College is working with North Middlesex Hospital and DFN Project SEARCH, to offer supported internships designed to develop your work skills and help you become more employable. 65% of students gain permanent employment at the end of the programme.
There are only 12 places available, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.
For more details, see the Supported Internships information leaflet (PDF, 542.64 KB) or visit CONEL College.
Barnet and Southgate College
Barnet and Southgate College have an extensive work experience and employability programme. This includes the innovative Steps into Work programme, in partnership with Remploy and Transport for London. Students complete a full work year and take part in both office-based and practical, such as platform, ticket work and placements.
For more information, visit Barnet and Southgate College.
Vocational training
Vocational training helps you gain skills required for a particular job.
Radiomarathon
Radiomarathon offers young people aged 18 years and over opportunity to participate in the AQA award scheme as a stepping stone into volunteering and employment. They offer a selection of over 100 specialised units across key services, including:
- horticulture
- catering
- drama
- arts and crafts
- animal care
- football coaching
- office administration
The Harrington Scheme
The Harrington Scheme provides a unique opportunity for young adults with learning disabilities and/or difficulties, delivering individual learning programmes designed to help them into employment, further education or a more rewarding life.
Harrington Gardeners
Harrington Gardeners is a subsidiary of the Harrington Scheme. Assistant gardeners, who are usually former trainees, are offered paid employment with the garden maintenance company and the chance to develop their gardening skills.
Steps into Work
Steps into Work is a one-year programme offering a great opportunity to study for a BTEC Level 1 work skills qualification, gaining real life work experience in three unpaid places at Transport for London. The programme is fully supported with job coaching provided by Remploy, and Barnet and Southgate College delivering daily tutorials. Young people would be expected to be independent travellers. To apply and get more information, visit Transport for London.
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