Accessibility Statement

Support to help you find a job if you have SEND

This workshop from Local Offer Live '24 can help you find the right support to help you get a job
Support to help you find a job if you have SEND

Kirklees has a number of programmes which can help support you to find a job, the programmes all vary depending on the level of support you would like, and that you  need. Some of these programmes are listed below.

If you are unsure which of these programmes is right for you, contact the Council’s Employment & Skills team for help on 01484 225016 or click here for more information Employment and skills support | Kirklees Council (opens link in new window)

Disability Confident Employers

When you’re looking for work, look on adverts and application forms for the ‘disability confident’ symbol.

This symbol means:

  • the employer is committed to employing disabled people.
  • you’ll be guaranteed an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job

Supported internships are aimed at young people with a learning disability, aged 18 to 24. They support entry to employment, the internship is based mainly with an employer and usually lasts a year, the aim is that you will move into employment.

A supported internship is learning that is made up of an unpaid work placement of at least six months and study that, where possible, leads to a relevant qualification and includes the chance to improve your English and maths.

You must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for learning difficulties to start a supported internship. They are available in Calderdale and Kirklees.

In Kirklees, Project SEARCH offers internships at Dewsbury & District Hospital and also in Kirklees Council, both of these have lots of different work options.

It is targeted for students whose goal is competitive employment within the local community.  Opportunities on the programme are varied and can include customer service, hospitality & catering, maintenance & gardening and business support.

Click here for  more on Project Search

Project Search | Getting a job | Kirklees SEND Local Offer (kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk)(opens link in new window)

 

REAL means Real Employment for Adults who are autistic and/or have a learning disability.

SUPPORT – The support we provide is person centred and strengths based and is tailored around the needs of each individual.

EXAMPLES OF SUPPORT WE PROVIDE
Applying for jobs

Writing covering letters and CVs
Developing interview skills
Confidence building

Support to overcome barriers to employment
Job matching
Supported interviews

Identifying skills gaps and training requirements

Reasonable adjustments
In work support and career development

Make a referral to REAL Employment

You can self-refer or a family member, carer or a professional can refer you on your behalf. If you need support to refer, you are welcome to get in contact and someone from REAL will help you. One of our Job Coaches will then get in contact with you to discuss how we can support you. 

To receive support from REAL, potential job seekers need to meet some criteria:

  1. Living in Kirklees
  2. Be aged 18 + , we can start transitional support prior to your 18 birthday.
  3. Have a learning disability / Autistic / or associated additional needs that have a substantial adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted or is expected to last for 12 months or more (You do not need a formal medical diagnosis)

You can make a referral using the Real Employment online form:

Real Employment Referral form (opens link in new window)

Please contact us if you are wanting further information or advice on how we will support you on your journey to finding paid employment.

Get in touch

Huddersfield
01484 221581 (Option 1 Huddersfield)
RealEmployment@kirklees.gov.uk  

Dewsbury office
Dewsbury Town Hall (by appointment)
01484 221581 (Option 2 Dewsbury)
RealEmployment@kirklees.gov.uk

You can find out more on the Real Employment webpage

REAL employment webpage | Kirklees Council (opens link in new window)

Kirklees Council’s Employment Kirklees programme can help support you in getting into work. They can help find job vacancies, help with your job applications and work with you to practise your interview skills.

Find out more here - Employment and skills support | Kirklees Council

This programme is part funded by the UK Government throughout the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

WHO WE ARE

Kirklees Employment Service has been providing support to individuals across Kirklees since 2012. We are part of Richmond Fellowship and truly believe in the values of making mental health support, and recovery, available to every individual.

With a base in Huddersfield and Dewsbury, and the ability to meet in the community, we have accessible support to all. There is a team of experienced staff who support individuals experiencing mental ill health, and/or hidden disabilities, to work towards employment or education goals and maintain their wellbeing whilst doing so. We also offer an array of different workshops and groups to help people develop their wellbeing and their coping skills, not just in the workplace, but in day to day life too.

We can also help employers who are wanting advice on supporting their employees, or expanding company knowledge around mental health in the workplace, for which we can provide tailored advice.

 

WHAT WE DO 

Our employment advisers work with individuals on a 1-2-1 basis to form an individual plan on how we can work together to achieve your goals. We aim to empower people and give people independence which means that as you use the service the more confident you will become. We provide practical employment advice and support around identifying your skills, finding the right job for you, creating CVs, interview preparation and much more, including retaining employment.

Our Peer Support Coordinator is there to support those who are not quite ready to work towards employment/education goals with an adviser. In Peer Support people have the opportunity to attend small groups and workshops to develop their mental health and wellbeing by forming coping strategies that help with things such as confidence, communication, stress management and self-esteem. We also provide a Confidence to Work Course for people who may want to consider how their mental health and employment fit together.

WHO WE CAN HELP

If you are 18 or over, live in Kirklees and currently, or have historically, experienced mental ill health then we can support you; even if this has not been medically diagnosed. We also support individuals who live with hidden disabilities such as Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUPPORT FOR YOU

Our Support is split into pathways. Please click here to see which is the right pathway for you.

HOW TO REFER

People looking for support can self-refer to the service, or can be referred by someone else. We accept referrals from other organisations too such as, the Job Centre, Kirklees Mental Health Teams, Housing organisations, Probation Services to name but a few. To complete our referral form please click here

To find out more about the support we can provide and our referral process,

contact us on:

T: 01484 434 866

E: Info.KirkleesES@richmondfellowship.org.uk

A: The Media Centre, 7 Northumberland Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1SG

W: www.rfkirkleesemployment.org.uk

About us 

The Supported Internship course, is a one-year course for students with an EHCP who have completed their college courses but are not quite ready for that step into paid employment. The students spend one day in college working on employability skills and preparing for independence, and two days out on work placement. Whilst on work placement students receive support from our Job coaches and Work placement officer.

Who is it for 

Students with an EHCP preparing to leave college in to employment. Students ages vary but are usually between 19-23.

We cater for students with any disability who are going to be able to move into paid employment. We ask students to be travel trained or prepare to be travel trained whilst on the course.

How to access

We invite parents, students, tutors, careers advisors to email or call to have a discussion around the student and whether the course is suitable. Students would then apply through the college application process.

Internships Video

Jonathan’s story

Marsha’s story

en-GB
Last updated: 02/10/2020

Useful links

Project Search

Project search

REAL Employment

REAL Employment

Richmond Fellowship

Richmond fellowship

Kirklees Employment Service

Support to help you find work