Local Employment Services and support

The Supported Employment Service support people with disabilities gain and sustain paid employment, our main focus is Learning Disability but we also provide a limited Pan-Disability Service.

The Supported Employment Service advise you on all stages of job hunting, from the start of your search up to getting an interview and beyond.  

Services Provided

• help to build each individuals confidence and self esteem
• help to match you with the right job for your experience and skills
• work trials so you can try a job and gain experience
• help through the interview process, sometimes even attending interviews with you for support
• 'on the job' help to guide and support you through the early stages
• advising potential employers on reasonable adjustments and risk assessment
• help to keep your job if you become disabled or are finding work difficult with your existing disability
• sign posting to other support services

 If you are looking for employment contact the Adult Learning Disability Team on 01234 276762.

They can give you an assessment, and if you are eligible then you can be referred to the Supported Employment Service.

You can view more information on the Supported Employment Service and how to contact them by clicking here

The Jobs Hub offers bespoke careers advice and guidance to people of all ages who live in Bedford Borough to find work, training and business opportunities.

For job seekers they can help you:

• Find a job
• Gain new skills
• Start up a business
• Find volunteering opportunities
• Change or start a new career
• Build your confidence
• Refer or signpost you to specialist support

Working with partners, the Jobs Hub offers free, impartial and independent information, advice and guidance on a range of options to help you make that next step.

They also run dedicated workshops to help you find employment or to start your own business or start an apprenticeship.

to find out more information then click here

If you have a health condition or a disability that affects your ability to work, you can get assistance and advice on returning to the workplace by speaking to a Work Coach at your local Jobcentre Plus. Whether you have just lost your job or have been out of work for a long time, a Work Coach is trained to be able to help you to find work or to gain new skills for a job. They can help with work preparation, recruitment, interview coaching and even confidence building.

The Work Coach can carry out an employment assessment to find out what kind of work would suit you best. By taking an employment assessment, you will be able to more easily identify your strengths and abilities and your Work Coach will be able to create a plan of action to help you meet your employment goals. To take an employment assessment you will first have an interview with your work coach and talk to them about any previous work experience, talents, skills, and your employment goals.

To find out more information then click here

Bedfordshire Disability Resource Centre has 5 brand new and free employment support programmes.

We start all our courses by helping you to de-stress and to build your confidence. Then we design a personal package of training and support just for you.

Our award-winning team is here to help, find out more information about the range of support we offer by clicking here

This team of employment specialists support people who are open to one of the adult community mental health teams including people seeing a psychiatrist as an outpatient.

If you want to work full or part-time they offer one-to-one support to help you achieve your employment goals.

The service will work with you to find suitable employment using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model.

The services offers:

• personalised service to assist you in gaining employment
• Support to overcome barriers to employment
• Job search focus on the work that you want to do
• Benefits information
• Help with CVs, job applications and covering letters
• Support with interviews
• Contacting employers on your behalf
• In-work support

The service is available to anyone in contact with a care co-ordinator (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, nurse or other therapist) in the mental health team.

Speak to your care co-ordinator for a referral.

Autism Bedfordshire’s employment support is designed for autistic adults who are looking to enter the employment market within the next 18 months. The programme is designed to fit around the individual’s strengths, needs and aspirations to ensure every person who enters the programme is not only closer to the job market but more confident and independent when they leave it.

Features:

• You will have access to confidential 1:1 support during your meetings
• You will be provided with your own assessment plan and action points which will be renewed each time we see you
• We will work with you in a variety of ways to ensure your needs are meet, which includes discussions and the observation of practical tasks
• We run various employability courses throughout the year and you will be given the opportunity to attend one of these courses
• What you will learn
• We will help you develop the skills and confidence you need on your path to employment.

They will support with:

• Searching for a job
• Help in completing an application
• Writing a CV
• Writing a cover letter
• Preparing for an interview
• How to communicate effectively with work Colleagues

Further Information

Email: enquiries@autismbeds.org

Telephone: 01234 350704