Employment
You might be wondering about what your options are after you leave school.
Members of the eXtreme group created this animation about the options for young people with SEND in Durham.
Unfortunately, unemployment rates for people with autism are higher than the rest of the population but people, like the National Autistic Society are campaigning for better understanding and support to help autistic people into jobs.
If you do get a job, you are entitled to support by a law called the Equality Act
“The Equality Act 2010 legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.”
You can find out more about support for employment and the law by clicking here
Project Choice
Project Choice provides supported internships for young people aged 16-24 with autism and/ or a learning disability and/ or a disability to be supported into employment. You can find out more about Project Choice by clicking here
Jaide’s experience with Project Choice
“It’s amazing, you’re fully supported and you’re not straight into a working setting. There’s a transition period from college to work. I have been to Scope Charity shop in Bishop and hey have been amazing. While I have been there, I have taken on the opportunity and joined Scope and I’m part of the online community. I am hoping to get other types of work placements, I would like to get into a travel agency, a café, restaurant or in a hospital as an HCA. HCA were amazing with me and I would like to give something back.
I would recommend – I would say go for it. If you have a Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and you don’t know what course to go on, Project Choice is the one for you.
Durham Works and Durham Enable
In County Durham, Durham Works provides support for all 16-24 year old’s to help them into work. Durham Enable provides support for people over 18 who have autism or other neuro diversities, disabilities or long-term health conditions.
You can find out more about Durham Enable here
You can find out more about Durham Works here
Adam’s experience with Durham Enable
They have been very supportive and they’ve seen how passionate I am about talking about autism and anti-bullying. They’ve supported me with trying to find roles that relate to these things. It’s been really valuable because it’d be difficult for me to know where to start when looking for a job. Having that extra support about where to look has been very helpful.
They help with job interviews, CV’s and anything else that you might need to get into a job. I have appointments with them, they come out to see me at home. It’s very informal and not like going to the job centre. It’s a lotless daunting because they get to now you more as a person and they focus on what strengths you have and how they can get you a job.
I think that my involvement with Investing in Children (IiC) has definitely helped me find a job because it covers so many issues and problems that young people face.
Adam’s advice to a young person with autism looking for employment
- Make sure that your future boss understands that you have autism so they can make your new work environment feel comfortable and supportive.
- Reach out to Durham Enable because they can support you with anything you’re unsure on.