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Training and Employment

Moving on from full-time education is a worrying prospect for all young people. However, for young people with additional needs, some extra support and planning may be required. This planning will normally start during their Annual Review meetings at school. Their Personal Adviser will usually give lots of ideas and suggestions about the options available when they leave school.  These options might include getting a job or doing a course that will help get ready for work, starting an apprenticeship or volunteering.

There are a number of organisations across Royal Greenwich that support young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to prepare for work, seek additional training and to find a job.  

Many types of job may be available and in a lot of cases some form of training programmes would be included.

This page provides information about the available options to young people looking for training and/or employment, and organisations that can provide this support.

Post-16 Education

Post-16 College Provision in Royal Greenwich

There are a variety of local colleges offering courses for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. These include:

London South East Colleges

There is a range of support available to students:

  • Induction is a structured programme to help new students settle into higher education
  • Student Hub offers advice and guidance for fees, finance and registration 
  • Learning support provides specialist help and resources for those in need of additional support
  • Wellbeing is promoted through access to a range of sports clubs and societies and health and fitness facilities for all students
  • Careers advice from professional advisors on job hunting, CV and interview preparation
  • Open events are held each term at each of our campuses to assist students to make the right choices, through providing opportunities to speak with our tutors about our range of degree courses and the support we can offer

Support for students with disabilities

You may be entitled to apply for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). This allowance is not dependent on your income and is not repayable. The DSA is intended to help with the extra costs of study that are a direct result of your disability. Items such as specialist equipment, non-medical helper, travel costs and other general costs, can be included depending on your needs. Further details can be obtained from here

For more information about London South East Colleges and courses available:

0300 303 2554
www.lsec.ac.uk

    Training and Apprenticeships

    Apprenticeships

    Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you'll:

    • work alongside experienced staff
    • gain job-specific skills
    • earn a wage and get holiday pay
    • study towards a related qualification (usually one day a week).

    You can apply for an apprenticeship if you're:

    • aged 16 or over
    • eligible to work in England
    • not in full-time education.

    Apprenticeships take one to four years to complete.

    There are different levels of apprenticeships: intermediate, advanced and higher. Each apprenticeship has an equivalent education level:

    • intermediate apprenticeship is equivalent to five GCSE passes
    • advanced apprenticeship is equivalent to two A-level passes
    • higher apprenticeship can lead to NVQ Level 4 and above, or a foundation degree.

    Click here to find an Apprenticeship.

    Traineeships

    A traineeship can provide the skills and work experience that employers are looking for.

    Your traineeship will include all of the following:

    • preparation for work
    • English and maths, if you don't already have GCSE English and maths grades 9 to 4
    • a work experience placement.

    You can apply for a traineeship if you:

    • are aged 16 to 18
    • are unemployed (or you work less than 16 hours per week)
    • have been unsuccessfully applying for apprenticeships.

    Click here to find a traineeship.

    Supported Internship Programme

    Supported internships are for young people with SEND aged 16 to 24 with a statement of Special Education Needs, a Learning Disability Assessment or an Education Health and Care plan who want to move into employment and require extra support to do so.

    The programmes are based primarily at an employer's premises focusing on the 'place and train' model. 

    They are designed to better enable young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan to achieve sustainable paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need through learning in the workplace.

    For the young person, the internship should contribute to their long-term career goals and fit with their working capabilities.

    For the employer, the internship must meet a real business need; with the potential of a paid job at the end of the study programme should the intern meet the required standard.


    Supported internships include on-the-job training with expert job coaches responsible for supporting both interns and their employers. These internships are unpaid and last for a minimum of six months. Wherever possible, they support the young person to move into paid employment at the end of the programme.


    Young people also complete a personalised study programme, with the chance to study for relevant substantial qualifications.


    You can find out more information on supported internships here.

    Steps into work

    The Steps into Work programme is a 12-month scheme which offers people with mild to moderate learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum the chance to gain skills and work experience.

    For further information 

    Please email stepsintowork@tfl.gov.uk or call 020 3054 2718 to request an expression of interest form or for further information about the programme.

    Supported Employment

    With supported employment you will have support from a job coach who helps you learn the skills for a job. It also offers you the time in order to learn how to do the job you would like to do. Below are some links to organisations that can help with finding supported employment in Greenwich.


    Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB)


    GLLaB works in partnership with a range of organisations to give you the best chance of finding a job in Royal Greenwich and wider area. To visit the RBG webpage and register with GLLaB click here.

    Telephone: 020 8921 2440



    Volunteering

    Many young people like to volunteer and local opportunities can be found here.


    Being a volunteer means giving you time to help other people. If you are a volunteer you will not get paid. This means you will be able to keep your benefits.
    People volunteer for lots of different reasons. You might volunteer to:

    • Make new friends
    • Do something you haven’t done before
    • Increase your confidence
    • Help you be part of the community where you live
    • Learn a new skill so you can get a job

    If you would like to get a job after you volunteer, it’s important to find out how the people you volunteer with can help you.

    Work Choice and Access to Work

    There are other programmes available to help you get a job or keep a job if you are a disabled person and are finding it difficult. These include Work Choice and Residential Training

    Access to Work

    An Access to Work grant helps pay for practical support if you have a disability, health or mental health condition so you can start working, stay in work or start your own business. How much you can get depends on your circumstances. The money does not have to be paid back and does not affect your benefits.


    For more information on Access to work, see Access to work

    • People with visual impairment may be entitled to Blind Person’s Allowance. This is an extra amount of tax free allowance that means you can earn more before you start paying Income Tax.
      For more information on Blind Person’s Allowance click here.