Wiltshire Council
Education, employment and training services for young people up to age 25 with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
This service runs several programmes to support people with educational needs and/or disabilities, one of which is Wiltshire Employment Support Team and more information about this programme can be viewed in this link below.
For more information about these services call the team on: 01225 718004 or email west.cc@wiltshire.gov.uk
Thiis service also run several other programmes which can found in the Tabs below. For more information about these services call the team on: 01225 718004 or email west.cc@wiltshire.gov.uk
Community Connecting
We assist customers with disabilities to find out more about their local community and how they can access some of the following:
- Finding voluntary work
- Socialising
- Joining a club
- Further Education; including College courses and other training opportunities
- Using their community facilities to do things that they enjoy
- Meeting friends
- Traineeships
- Travel training.
We provide a time limited service; with the aim of working with the customer so they are able to find, take part in their chosen community activity and to do this independently.
For more information about these services:
Telephone: 01225 718004
Email: west.cc@wiltshire.gov.uk
Supported Internship
Supported internships are delivered by Wiltshire College, Fairfield College and Swindon College, with support from Wiltshire College job coaches and includes on-the job training with college based learning. They help young people (aged 18-24 with an EHCP) gain practical experience and work skills towards the job they would like to do.
For more information:
Telephone: 01373 866 066Email: Cathryn.giles@wiltshire.ac.uk
Travel Training
A service for SEND young people travelling to post-16 education settings in Wiltshire with a variety of travel options. Usual methods include; bus travel, walking routes and train travel.
For more information:
Telephone: 01225 718004
Email: west.cc@wiltshire.gov.uk
Pluss – Work and Health Programme
The Work and Health Programme is a Welfare to Work programme commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). It is designed to improve employment outcomes for people with health conditions or disabilities and those unemployed for more than two years.
Pluss deliver the programme in Wiltshire and support participants to identify their strengths and to find the right job.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Work and Health Programme you will need to speak to an adviser in your local Jobcentre Plus.
Website: www.gov.uk/work-health-programme
Access to work
Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support if you have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.
An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support to help you:
- Start working
- Stay in work
- Move into self-employment or start a business.
How much you receive will depend on your circumstances, it doesn’t have to be paid back and will not effect any other benefits you are in receipt of (you must be 16 or over to receive the grant). The grant can pay for things such as; specialist equipment, a support worker/job coach if required, disability awareness training for colleagues.
Website: www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Employment Support Allowance
You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work. For more information visit the gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance .
Disability Confident
Disability Confident is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled employees.
By signing up to the scheme employers can access free resources:
- Guidance and support on removing any barriers to employment (workplace adjustments, impairment-specific information)
- Peer support groups on social media for Disability Confident members where you can ask questions and learn from other organisations
- Information about potential funding through Access to Work and Jobcentre Plus Small Employer Offer
- Best practice case studies and videos to learn from
- Webinars and workshops on key topics like mental health and recruitment delivered by Disability Confident Leaders
- An accreditation certificate and Disability Confident logo to use on your website and recruitment ads. This provides a signal that you recruit fairly and gives you the opportunity to promote your involvement via Public Relations and CSR initiatives.
Website: disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk
Disability Confident employer vacancies: https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/search?dc=1&loc=86459
Disability Worker Rights
It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against anyone with a disability. Protection against disability discrimination can be found within The Equalities Act 2010 which covers the following areas:
- application forms
- interview arrangements
- aptitude or proficiency tests
- job offers.
- terms of employment, including pay
- promotion, transfer and training opportunities
- dismissal or redundancy
- discipline and grievances.
This Equalities Act covers the Police, armed forces and people on practical work experience, whether paid or unpaid. However some volunteers are excluded from the protection provisions so please seek specialist advice. It also protects those who suffer discrimination because they associate with the disabled, e.g. their carers. This is known as associative discrimination.
For further assistance please see the links below:
Building Bridges
If you have a disability or any other barrier to education or employment, Building Bridges can offer you free, 1:1 support to help you overcome them. They offer support across Wiltshire and will help you identify what you hope to achieve and makes steps towards these goals, this may include supporting employers to better understand your disability and adaptations you made need as well supporting you to overcome any challenges you may face.
Wiltshire Community Transport
Community First provides an advisory and support service to 45 Link Schemes and 21 Community Minibus Groups across Wiltshire and Swindon as well as managing a variety of transport services to keep communities connected.
Website: Community First website.
Wiltshire Independent Travel Service
Are an award winning independent project offering initial travel support to individuals who would like to travel independently on public transport for work, to meet friends, for college or training. After meeting the person for the first time, they design an individual programme of support depending on their skills and needs. A travel supporter will accompany the person on their journey until they become confident. They can work on skills like planning a journey, road safety, telling the time, using money or a bus pass and help to build confidence. The only cost to the individual are any bus or train fares although where possible they will assist people to apply for disabled person passes.
Peter North, WITS Co-ordinator
Wiltshire Independent Travel Support, The Independent Living Centre, St. George’s Road, Semington, BA14 6JQ
Tel: 01380 871800
Employing a blind or partially sighted person
Help and support from RNIB if you are blind or partially sighted person and worried that you will be unable to find work or stay in your current job.
There is also information for employers to help retain a current employee who is losing their sight, and help to employ someone who is blind or partially sighted.
Website: www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living/work-and-employment
Employment services
Whether you are a person with a learning disability looking for support, or an employer interested in working with people who have a learning disability, Mencap can help.
https://www.mencap.org.uk/advice-and-support/services-you-can-count/employment-services
Shared Lives
Whether you are a person with a learning disability looking for support, or an employer interested in working with people who have a learning disability, Mencap can help.
Tel: 01380 826451
Email:sharedlives@wiltshire.gov.uk
Website: adults.wiltshire.gov.uk/Services/1366/Shared-Lives-Wiltshire