Supported Employment for Participants
Finding a job when you are 18 to 30 years old can feel hard. Traditional job interviews and workplaces are not always set up for people who think differently.
Our program helps young adults with learning disabilities and neurodiversity (like Autism or ADHD) find real, paid work. We help you find a job where you can be yourself.
- We find what you are good at: We talk about your hobbies, your strengths, and what kind of work you want to do.
- We find the right boss: We connect you with businesses that are friendly, welcoming, and happy to have you.
- We help you learn the job: A personal Job Coach will go to work with you at the start. They will help you learn the tasks until you feel confident.
- We stay in touch: When you feel ready, your coach will step back. But we are always here if you need help later or want to try something new.
“Our goal is to help you earn your own money, learn new skills, and feel proud of your work.”
- Making a CV that shows what you can do.
- Practicing for job interviews.
- Changing things at work to make it easier for you (like a quieter workspace or clearer instructions).
- Learning how to travel to work safely.
- Understanding how your pay affects your benefits.
Supported Employment is an evidence-based, values-led recruitment model designed to help neurodivergent young people and individuals with learning disabilities secure and thrive in sustainable, paid employment. Rather than using traditional, rigid application methods, we use a structured, 5-stage framework focused on individual job matching and intensive in-work coaching.
Traditional agencies focus entirely on a transactional placement. We treat the employer as an equal partner. We don’t just send you CVs; we provide an Employment Specialist (Job Coach) who works directly alongside your new hire on your business premises to train them into the role, fade out as they gain independence, and remain on hand for long-term retention support.
Not necessarily. Part of our job-matching process is determining the right fit for your operational needs and the candidate’s stamina. Many placements start as part-time or flexible arrangements (e.g., 16–24 hours per week) and can scale up as the employee grows in confidence and capability.
We mitigate this risk through rigorous pre-screening and job-matching, but if challenges arise, your dedicated Employment Specialist will step back in immediately. We will work with your team to put corrective coaching or reasonable adjustments in place. If it ultimately isn’t a fit, we manage the transition process smoothly and respectfully.
Need More Information?
We are here to help you navigate the journey, whether you are looking for your dream job or looking to diversify your workforce.
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This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.