Be an inclusive Employer
Nationally there is a skills shortage in the labour market, so employers are increasingly looking to sectors of the labour market that they would not have previously considered to meet their recruitment needs.
As a business, employing learning Disabilities and/or additional needs could be one of the most rewarding and valuable decisions you can make as an employer.
By making small yet significant changes to your recruitment and HR processes, you could be accessing a significant resource that brings many benefits to your business.
People with a learning disability can make great employees:
- Generally, they have lower sickness levels
- They tend to stay in entry-level jobs longer so they can save employers money on recruitment.
- Many employers also report that their staff team morale increases due to working with their colleagues with a learning disability
- It will also help to ensure your company is compliant with the Equality Act 2010 and to be part of the government’s Disability Confident campaign.
Many employers are anxious about employing people with a learning disability as they don’t know what to expect, what they might need to do or perhaps not know how to act around someone with a learning disability.
If you are an employer considering employing people with SEND, this page will tell you how and why to do it.
“What’s not to like about hiring exceptional candidates? We’ve quickly learned that there can be a fabulous overlap between candidates with learning difficulties and exceptional employees – and any employer that isn’t interested in that overlap is missing out in a big way."
Disability Confident Employer
-
Meet Harvey
Centre Assistant - The Pavillion by Mytime Active completed a supported Internship at London South East Colleges
-
Meet Brandon
Brandon, 19, is currently taking part in our Supported Internship Programme. Before this, Brandon also took part in our Employment Preparation Pathway course, where he learned to develop his customer service, communication, teamwork, and employability skills. Once on the Supported Internship Programme, Brandon was vocationally profiled by our job coaches, and his interests and previous experience in bar work were discovered alongside his acting skills. His work placement at the Bridge House Theatre in Penge was a perfect match.
Brandon has been working at the Bridge House since November 2022 and has lots to say about his experience so far.
-
Meet Jonathan
Jonathan has been working at Kobe Jones Bromley and has much to say about his experience.
To find out more email Karen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Interview Process
Traditional job interviewing strategies can be anything but inclusive. That can mean lost hiring opportunities for many young people with disabilities who want to work.
Inclusive Employment in the Theatre Industry
To improve accessibility and representation throughout the Theatre Industry, the answer is simple - employ more disabled people.
Access to work fund
Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme to help more disabled people start or stay at work.
Job Coaching Agency
Job Coaching Agencies can provide disabled people with a trained job coach who will support them with any employment matter.
Travel Training
Some organisations help adults with learning disabilities and autism access places they love to visit independently via walking or public transport on individual journeys.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our Job Coaches have compiled valuable tips and reasonable adjustments you can make to your workplace to accommodate a person with a learning disability or additional needs.