Employment Support

Track NN

These local employment services help autistic people with employment, whether supporting them into work experience, job building skills or job application support. There may be requirements to access these services.

In 2019 they launched Café TRACK in Northampton Market Square, aiming to become a hub for autistic adults to learn employment skills, reduce social isolation, serve great food and positively impact the community. TRACK has been very successful, so far supporting more than 25 people into employment and over 50 people into voluntary and work experience placements.

Autism East Midlands (AEM)

Autism East Midlands has created an employment service for autistic individuals that aims towards achieving realistic employment opportunities. The person-centred approach taken by their Employment Coaches offers a unique employment programme designed for the specific needs of the individual so they can find the right job for them.

Building Better Opportunities (BBO)

These local eBuilding Better Opportunities (BBO) helps people back onto the path to employment. The project aims to support adults (19+) with disabilities, those Over 50, and BAME groups, (Ex-) Offenders and Carers. Several organisations in Northamptonshire have partnered with the BBO project.

Workbridge

Workbridge, situated in Northampton, has been offering a vocational pathway for autistic individuals, people with mental health issues, learning disabilities or brain injuries. From the coffee shop, the kitchens, workshop to the office community learn technical and life skills to help them realise their potential with the final goal of being supported into employment.

Learning Independence Volunteering Employment (LIVE)

LIVE supports individuals with learning disabilities and related barriers to employment by providing the opportunity to learn, gain independence, volunteer and become employed. They cover Northamptonshire and have direct contact details for Corby, Kettering, Northampton, Towcester (Daventry and South Northants) and Wellingborough on their site.

Employment and Disability Service (EADs)

EADS supports individuals in employment and employers together so that any barriers that are present or come up are dealt with before they affect productivity or even absence. They also support businesses and organisations in their recruitment process and can help them work towards a disability confident status.

Spectrum

This long-running charity in Northampton supports individuals (17+) with a wide range of learning difficulties, mental health issues, brain injury, Autism & Asperger's. They offer an Employability and Skills training course, as well as many other excellent services. This course focuses on CV Presentation, Employability Skills, Health and Safety Awareness, Introduction to Catering and Warehouse and Manufacturing theory.

Access to Work

Access to Work is a government programme that supports people with disabilities in the workplace. Under the scheme, you can apply for grants to fund personalised support at work, allowing people to work to their full potential without being substantially disadvantaged compared to other employees.

Support can range from specialist equipment to help with transport costs; the grant is there to help with the needs beyond reasonable adjustments such as flexible working. Before you are eligible to apply for an Access to Work grant, your employer has to have the opportunity to make reasonable adjustments. Once you have asked your employer, they must act if your request falls within the government guidelines of a reasonable adjustment. If your employer cannot meet a request, then you may be considered for an Access to Work grant.

Evenbreak

Evenbreak is an award-winning not-for-profit specialist job board run by disabled people for disabled people.