Employment Training, Advice & Support
It can be scary to leave education and enter into the world of work and employment, especially if you have special educational needs or a disability. There are many things you can do to get ready for this next step. Below we have provided the details of opportunities which can help you to prepare for paid employment, and discover a career which is perfect for you.
Some of the options available include Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Voluntary Work and Internships. We have also provided the details for organisations providing mentoring and employment support.
If you are currently not in any education, training or employment, some of the organisations below can support you to plan your next steps.
Resources for Autism provide social activities and workshops to support with transitional milestones and independent living skills.
To obtain further details about the service please email nazia@resourcesforautism.org.uk
Resources for Autism Flyer (pdf, 4.2mb) download for further information.
Southwark Works is the home of Southwark Employment Services.
If you need some extra support to find a job, the Southwark Works team of specialist employment advisers can help you. They provide personal, confidential, one-to-one support for unemployed residents who are experiencing challenges or difficulties in securing a job.
Advisers can help you to create a CV, show you how to undertake effective job searching, how to complete applications, help with your interview techniques, as well as offer information and advice about training and work experience.
If you need training, they can refer you to a local provider, or you may benefit from one of their in-house workshops or courses.
Based in Elephant and Castle, Southwark Works offers a range of employability workshops, including confidence building, customer service, basic IT, CV writing and interview techniques. They also offer access to vocational qualifications such as construction CSCS cards and Food Safety/First Aid etc. All services are fully funded by Southwark Council.
Contact:
Email: info@southwarkworks.org.uk
Telephone: 0800 052 0540
Website: Southwark Works
This project aims to support Southwark young people aged 16 – 25 to increase their employability and gain jobs and apprenticeships. They can also support those already in employment to progress into better work with more pay or a more secure contract.
Support will be one to one, with optional group activity. Support is tailored, and the initial assessment considers strengths, experiences, circumstances and needs are identified and wider issues such as housing, health, family support, care/childcare responsibilities, as well as employment and skills.
Young people will be supported to improve their employability, undertake work experience, relevant training to increase skills and take up opportunities including paid employment or apprenticeships.
Who is the service for?
Southwark Young Person 16-25 who experience one or more of the following:
- NEET
- Experience of Criminal Justice System, Youth Violence or Gang activity (including a victim of crime)
- Substance Misuse
- Learning difficulty and/or disability
- Mental Health Concerns
- Care Leaver
Accessibility of this service
Support is mainly one to one and will be adjusted to suit individual need.
St Giles Trust is Wheelchair accessible and outreach support can be offered when required.
The service is impartial, and all clients are given confidentially agreements.
Useful to know
It is recommended that you initially contact the service by phone or email, rather than just turning up at the office. Staff are often working in outreach locations and may not be available for drop-ins.
Training provided
There will be regular employability workshops offered to Young People supported by the service.
Drop in service
- Drop-in support available at Southwark Youth Offending Service, Springfield Lodge and other local services. For more information contact the service directly.
- Delivery from their head office: St Giles Trust, 64-68 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8JB
How can I access this service?
You can contact the service on 0207 708 8064 or 07384 511 830 and ask for the Your Path team. You can also email YP@stgilestrust.org.uk
Groundwork London offer free accredited training courses, 1-2-1 career coaching, job placements & much more, all tailored to your abilities, interests, skills & circumstances. Whatever your age, ability or circumstances we can support you into training or work.
Wherever you live in London and whatever your interests and abilities we have a range of free accredited training opportunities to help you get the skills you need to stand out and succeed.
If you are 16-24 and currently not in education, training or employment we have opportunities for you. While you are taking part in one of our industry-specific training courses, our Employment Advisers will also offer you personal coaching and support over the phone and online. We can also set you up with job interviews after you’ve completed your training.
We can help you get skilled up for a range of careers from Hospitality to Business Administration, or if you’d prefer to work outside in the open air, you could join our City & Guilds Level 1 course in Practical Horticulture Skills. Whichever training course or career path you choose, we’re also able to support you in improving your maths or english or developing your tech skills or communication skills. Together we’ll find the right kind of training and support for you.
Age Range: 18+
Who is the service for?
Supported Employment Service for adults with learning disabilities, learning difficulties and autistic people.
Accessibility for this service:
This service is accessible to anyone living in Southwark age 18 onwards, with a learning disability, learning difficulty and autistic people looking for support towards employment. Meetings are available by appointment and are located in fully accessible spaces, with private/quiet rooms available. Individuals are welcome to bring a support worker/keyworker/parent for additional support.
How can I access this service?
Please click here to complete a referral form.
(docx, 301kb)
How is this service funded?
The Southwark Works programme is funded by Southwark Council.
Do you need to pay for this service?
No.
Confidentiality and impartiality:
Impartial information, advice and guidance is provided to all referrals and the results of any initial screening and assessments done are confidential and not shared by any third parties, unless mutually agreed by the service user.
Contact us:
- Osman Maie
- Email: osman.maie@unityworks.org.uk
- Telephone: 07841 037 394
Training provided:
Support to find and sustain volunteering work experience/placements, paid work, apprenticeships etc as well as all the CV writing/interview/job coaching travel support, disability awareness training provided to employers, and employer support.
Drop in service:
In person meetings are available by appointment only.
Greater London Authority (GLA) Programme
The GLA programme is aimed at individuals aged between 16-24 and living in London. It is an initiative that offers end-to-end support, including case management and coaching, to help participants achieve their education, training and employment goals.
Support is also provided once participants are in a placement to help them settle in, meet the expectations of their employer or training/education provider, perform at their best, and achieve their SMART action plan goals. Visit the Genius Within website for further details.
The Spear Programme helps young people facing disadvantage into work or education. We equip them with confidence, motivation and the vital skills they need to succeed in long-term employment.
The Spear Programme equips you with the skills, mindset & resources you need to get into work or education, including interview techniques, cover letter advice, and growing your confidence.
In its current online delivery, the Spear Programme is crafted to address some of the specific challenges of the Covid19 employment climate. It is delivered remotely, meaning it provides immediate and accessible support.
If you’re 16 – 24 and looking for work, the Spear Programme can help.
A six-week programme of expert coaching, to help you overcome whatever challenges you face, and equip you with the skills and mindset you need to get into work or education.
Click here to visit the: Resurgo Website
Click here to complete your details and register your interest: Sign-up Form
CareTrade have lots of different services and options to support you with finding and maintaining successful and fulfilling employment.
Aspire
The Aspire programme is a short employability course facilitated by CareTrade staff for autistic young learners. The programme can be delivered in schools, sixth form or colleges and typically runs over the course of 8 weeks.
The aim of the course is to introduce learners to the concept of employability, to encourage them to start thinking about what they want to do in the future and the options for entering employment.
The programme encompasses a mixture of activities to suit different learning styles and includes sessions on travelling to work, skills for work, problem-solving in the workplace and the possible routes into employment. The programme also includes a session in which the learners have the opportunity to visit CareTrade’s supported internship ‘The Autism Project’ in action, seeing some of the jobs that current students are doing in either Guy’s, St. Thomas’ or the Whittington hospital.
In-Work and Interview Support
We offer support in the workplace for employees and employers.
CareTrade provides in work support, which is funded by the employer or through the government Access to Work scheme, please follow this link for more information about Access to Work funding https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
We are also able to provide interview support for individuals on the autistic spectrum, funded by Access to Work.
CareTrade also run the Autism Project, a full-time, two-year, employability programme for autistic young people aged 18-25, with an Education Health & Care Plan. Find out more about their opportunities on their website: Care Trade Website
Contact CareTrade for information on any of their opportunities and support services:
The Princes Trust work with 18 to 30-year-olds to turn big ideas into a business reality through their Enterprise programme
The Trust help with training and mentoring support to funding and resources, they're with you every step of the way.
To find out our more information click here.
Employment rights depend on the contract of your employment and your statutory rights.
Employment rights and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
DDA is legislation for people with a disability to receive the same employment rights as other employees and job seekers.
It is unlawful for an employer to subject a candidate because of their disability. The DDA sets out the law throughout the entire recruitment phase including end of employment, performance management and reasonable adjustments at work.
Please click here to read in full the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
Another option available will be working for yourself on a Self Employed basis or working on behalf of an employer on a Self Employed contract. When choosing to go self employed you will be taking the ownership of paying your contribution to tax and national insurance, responsibility of yearly tax returns and general administration. There are many organisations that can offer support and guidance, many also provide new and aspiring business owners with funding and grants such as Turn 2 Us.
For more information regarding Self Employment click here
Step22 is a recruitment and training solution that gets great people into great jobs in the hospitality sector.
Catch22 is a social business which helps get people into work and training through high quality apprenticeships, vocational training and employment support programmes that are tailored to the needs of individuals.
For more information please visit the website by clicking here
Click the links below to view the Traineeship vacancies, for 16-19 year olds. All eligible applicants may apply using the links below, which are not reserved for any particular borough of London. Progression opportunities include apprenticeships, employment and further education.
We support young people holistically, recognising the inextricable links between wellbeing, health and employment. We use the power of sport to help young people, aged 14 to 30, who face personal barriers to employment to improve their wellbeing, secure employment and have a brighter future. We work in schools, communities, and with employers to equip young people with the confidence, motivation, essential skills and qualifications needed to succeed in the world of work.
How is this provided?
Participants can sign up or be referred by email. Courses are run face to face in our youth club facility. There is access to sports facilities and a classroom area for workshops. Transport costs are covered, participants receive a £15 gift voucher half-way through programme and £100 gift voucher upon completion of the programme.
Courses offered
- Functional Skills (Maths and English) up to Level 2
- Sports Coaching
- Employability Level 1
Who is the service for?
Young people aged 19-24 not in Education, Employment or Training. We do not specialise in SEND, however, the Street League programme is open to anyone who is NEET between the ages of 16-24 years.
Location
Participants must be able to travel to Downside Fisher Youth Club, SE1 2EZ on days Monday-Thursday.
Cost
Free
Contact
Tel: 07711491741
Email: omotoni.bada@streetleague.co.uk
Address: Address: Coxson Place, Druid St, London SE1 2EZ
Useful to know
Monday - Thursday
09:30 - 16:30
Autus aims to facilitate personal and professional growth for people with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and complex needs, through use of innovative virtual environments. We provide programmes and activities that help build confidence, develop social communication, digital and employability skills.
Age Range: 16-30
Who is the service for?
We support young people aged 16 plus who have an Autistic Spectrum Condition. Typically those who have struggled to progress through mainstream education and / or have difficulty securing / sustaining employment.
Criteria to access the service:
A formal diagnosis is NOT necessary and people can self refer. Private and direct payments are accepted for our paid for services.
Accessibility: As our programmes are delivered predominately online using a virtual learning environment, access to a PC/laptop and Wi-Fi are necessary. We do offer a laptop loan service. Some training and support may also be available from our office based in Croydon.
How this is provided: Register your interest in any of our programmes using this link www.autus.org.uk/register, or check our current provision first at www.autus.org.uk
Do you need to pay for this service: Some of our provision requires payment. However, we do offer a number of fully funded programmes, where individuals can access free provision. Please check our website for further information.
Training provided: Autus offers a range of programmes and courses to meet the diverse needs of our service users. We aim to help people to harness their potential and achieve their personal and professional goals.
Programmes include confidence building, employability skills, enterprise skills, IT and other digital skills such as 3D Modelling and coding.
Contact details:
Telephone: 07432 300 287
Email: info@autus.org.uk
Southwark Construction Skills Centre is a hub for construction training for London with a unique outdoor training facility so that trainees can experience a real construction environment. A key focus of the construction centre is to provide young Londoners with an opportunity to secure local construction jobs, while also tackling the industry skills shortage.
The centre is the brainchild of Southwark Council, working in partnership with developer Lendlease who has housed the centre on-site at Elephant Park, which means classrooms will be based at the heart of the borough on one of the country’s largest regeneration sites at the Elephant and Castle. This centre is an approved CSCS Test centre which is the leading skills certificate scheme within the UK construction industry.
They provide apprenticeships, qualifications, short courses, and engagement schemes for young people who may be interested in a career in Construction.
Take a look at the SCSC website for the latest opportunities here: Southwark Construction Skills Centre
A three-year project (2021-2024) to support young people with additional needs to build confidence, provide motivation and make plans for the future.
Time to Talk Next Steps is free support for young people aged 16-25 in England with additional needs who are experiencing anxiety, isolation and have limited or no plans for the future. You may be in school or in college or have finished all education and are unsure how to move forward.
If you are allocated support from the programme after filling out a Request for Support form, you will be introduced to one of our trained Supporters. They will meet you for an introduction and find out what will be most useful to help you move forward. This might be linking you with people who have similar issues and interests to you through peer support sessions, linking you with useful activities or contacts in your local area or providing you with individual sessions to build your confidence and explore next steps to suit you.
The project is being delivered in partnership with national disability charity, Contact, who provide support, information and workshops for parents and carers on transition to adulthood.
Further information
Please visit the NDTi website
Contact
Alice McColl
Tel: 01225 255 268
Email: alice.mccoll@ndti.org.uk