Diversify your workforce with supported employment
Having a learning disability or difficulty, or an additional support need, doesn’t mean that people can’t work or learn new skills. It just means that they may need a little extra help along the way.
It's estimated that 20% of people in the UK have some form of disability or additional support need, affecting their ability to get a job. We have a talent pool of eager and hardworking future employees who make a great addition to businesses.
We can help your business to create opportunities, recruit the right people and train them in their roles. We look at what skills you require in your business and what skills they need to excel.
Benefits to your business
Our supported employment and volunteering service helps people who may have difficulties in learning or require extra support to do well at work. We work to highlight their skills and make changes in the hiring process to make it easier for them to get job opportunities.
You can learn more about the support we offer future employees.
Hear from businesses that have benefitted from our service in the videos below.
Our place in the recruitment process
We work with businesses to understand what they're looking for and find people to match.
Alongside working with employers, we support new recruits through their induction and training. Our job coaches provide one-to-one support with key activities and tasks.
Finding the best candidate for your business
Lee's experience at the RSPB Old Moor is a great example of how the supported employment interview and induction process helps to make sure applicants and employers get off to a great start.
This on-the-job action is a perfect opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their skills and receive the best training.
Supporting the candidate in their role
As well as matching Cannon Hall with an applicant that met their requirements, our job coaches worked with Dylan to settle him in. They provided training and general support while growing his communication skills. This has helped Dylan to flourish in his role.
The benefits of being inclusive in the workforce
Wentworth Castle Gardens have seen many benefits of being inclusive in their workforce. It's brought a new dynamic to the team with inclusive, open, supportive ways of working.
It's great to hear that not only has it been positive for Ben, but also for the team and the business.
Our supported employment and volunteering service offers different recruitment solutions at no extra cost to businesses. It helps people who are underrepresented in the workforce using the nationally recognised five-stage model of supported employment.
We work with employers to improve diversity and offer support at every stage of the process.
Make a referral
To make a referral, please fill in our referral form.
Find out more
Delivering DWP local supported employment has helped 56 people with a learning disability or Autism into employment throughout 2023 to 2024 in Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley. We're working with over 30 employers to do this.
You can speak to one of our friendly team to find out more.
About our service
The service supports people who are over the age of 18 and either:
- have a learning disability or difficulty
- had an education, health and care plan during school
- are otherwise neurodivergent (this includes adults with autism)
The service is part-funded by the UK government’s Local Supported Employment (LSE) scheme. This scheme is designed to help adults over the age of 18 who have learning disabilities or autism into work.
We work with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Sheffield City Council, City of Doncaster Council and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. We also work with Speakup Self Advocacy as part of their ‘Employment is for Everyone’ project to create opportunities across South Yorkshire for people with learning disabilities and autism.
We want to hear from the businesses we’ve worked with so we can find out what we’re doing well and where we can continue to improve. Take part in our short survey today.
Meet the team
Our team are here to help you every step of the way.
- Our employer engagement co-ordinator works with local employers to create opportunities for the people we work with.
- Our employment and volunteering co-ordinators provide ongoing support to help people achieve their goals from work or volunteering.
- Our job coaches support people once they're in work or volunteering. They help people build up their confidence. We also have a number of job coaches who support students in their placements.
Contact us
For more information, you can contact us by:
- Emailing us at supportedemployment@barnsley.gov.uk
- Calling us on (01226) 774528 or 07818 561552.
Our partners
Our partners include:
- BARiSTA
- Barnsley Norse
- Bistro at the Pocket
- Cannon Hall Museum Park and Gardens
- Cucina Sky Lounge
- Doyle Security
- Evri
- McDonald's
- National Trust
- RSPB
- Twiggs Grounds Maintenance Ltd
- Winner Recruitment
Other helpful resources
