Information for parents and carers to help young adults with SEND take their first steps into work when they leave school.
Who can help your child look for work
Careers advice
If your child isn't sure what type of work they'd like and they're aged 13 to 19, their school, college or other education provider must offer them face-to-face careers guidance. If your child hasn't had any careers advice you can contact their education provider and ask to speak to the careers adviser.
Contact the post-16 participation team
Either you or your child can email post16participation@bristol.gov.uk for support with options after 16 years old. They can help with signposting to opportunities and support.
The National Careers Service
Provides confidential and impartial advice to help young people make decisions about work. Find out how to contact the National Careers Service Go to https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ (opens new window) if your child is over 19.
Speak to a Disability employment adviser
Contact JobCentre plus Go to http://los.direct.gov.uk/default.aspx (opens new window) and ask to speak to a disability employment adviser. They can advise your child on job seeking, training and new skills, and government schemes.
Local organisations
There are organisations in Bristol who can support your child to find work.
PLUSS Go to https://www.pluss.org.uk/locations/bristol-employment-services (opens new window)
Supports people over 16 years old with disabilities and other disadvantages to move towards and into employment.
One Front Door Go to https://onefrontdoor.org.uk/ (opens new window)
This is an information service to show work opportunities for anybody looking for employment.
Look for disability friendly employers
Employers committing to the Disability Confident scheme promise to:
- actively look to attract and recruit disabled people
- provide a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process
- offer an interview to all disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role they've applied for
GOV.UK has more information about the this scheme.
There are also national organisations who can help.
Specialist Employability Support Go to https://www.gov.uk/specialist-employability-support (opens new window)
Provides mentoring and training to help you into work if you're disabled and can't use other employment programmes. You can apply if you can't get the specialist help you need from other government programmes or, such as Access to Work and Work Choice.
Remploy Go to http://www.remploy.co.uk/ (opens new window)
Leading provider of specialist employment services for disabled people.
Mencap Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/services-you-can-count/employment-services (opens new window) has produced four easy-read guides Go to https://www.mencap.org.uk/get-involved/learning-disability-week/finding-work-easy-read-guides?q=finding-work-easy-read-guides (opens new window) for job seekers with learning disabilities. The guides cover:
- finding a job or work experience
- application forms and CVs
- going to a job interview
- starting work
Scope Go to http://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/work/jobseekers (opens new window) has employment tips and information about the law that protects disabled job seekers.
Support to Work is an online and telephone support programme for disabled people in England and Wales who are applying for jobs.
Phone: 0300 222 5742
Monday to Friday: 9am to 7pm.
Useful information on CVs and applying for jobs
Disablity Rights UK Go to http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/careers-and-work-disabled-people (opens new window) has information about applications and interviews.
National Autistic Society Go to http://www.autism.org.uk/about/adult-life/work.aspx (opens new window) runs employment support services for adults.
Life skills and internships
Whizz Kidz Go to http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk/get-our-help/young-people/work-placements (opens new window) offer a range of work placements and internships for young people who use wheelchairs aged 14 to 25.
Read our Guide to supported internships, apprenticeships and traineeships.
You can also find advice on getting a job on Bristol City Council's website in the jobs and training section and see the council's apprenticeships website.
Employment rights
If your child is disabled, employers have a duty to change their procedures and remove the barriers they face because of their disability. This means your child can work and apply for jobs in the same way as somebody who's not disabled.
The Equality Act 2010 Go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance (opens new window) calls this the duty to make reasonable adjustments. Find out more about what the Equality Act says employers must do under this duty on the Citizens Advice website Go to https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/discrimination-at-work/what-are-the-different-types-of-discrimination/duty-to-make-reasonable-adjustments-at-work-what-must-employers-do/ (opens new window).
Read GOV.UK's guidance about employing disabled people and people with health conditions Go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employing-disabled-people-and-people-with-health-conditions/employing-disabled-people-and-people-with-health-conditions (opens new window).
