A Supported Employment Adviser in the Services for Young People (SfYP) Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team has helped Shane from Stevenage make huge changes to his life. Shane has autism and had lost a lot of confidence since the pandemic. After leaving college, he didn’t take part in any social or physical activities and was only going out once a week when his mum took him food shopping. This contributed to feelings of isolation, anxiety and low self-esteem and was impacting on his physical health and mobility.
The SfYP Adviser initially met Shane at home, with his sister there for support, and then subsequent meetings were outside the local library. As he built his confidence, he gradually became comfortable enough to meet the Adviser inside the library, as well as walking and travelling independently on the bus to meet her.
With her support, he researched different jobs and thought about his skills and interests. They discussed work experience opportunities in the retail sector as this would help him to develop practical, social and communication skills for future employment.
The Adviser arranged an informal interview with KS Models, a local model making shop, for a work experience placement. Shane was initially offered a bespoke 12-hour work experience opportunity with working hours and conditions tailored to his needs, as well as a supportive member of staff allocated as his mentor. They agreed that he could travel to work outside of rush hour times, have rest breaks and a place to sit in between tasks if needed, and that his training would be clear and broken down into steps that he could follow easily.
Throughout the placement, Shane was punctual, organised and reliable, happily completing tasks and proud to show the Supported Employment Adviser the skills he had learnt, which included stock-taking, replenishing and pricing stock. Shane enjoyed working as part of a team and felt better having a purpose and structure to his week. He was keen to continue building his skills, so KS Models offered him a further 70-hours of work experience.
The SfYP Supported Employment Adviser has seen a huge impact on his confidence, self-esteem, and employability for the future. He has been able to build professional relationships, work as part of a team and speak to new people.
Shane said:
“I am grateful for the opportunity I had to work at KS models and thanks for adapting to my needs so I can show how hard I can work … thank you.”
Shane’s sister has noticed a significant improvement in his outlook on the future since he started working:
“I have seen him really be positive… He needed this opportunity to gain experience in a workplace... Thank you to his mentor for taking him under your wing…”
If know a young person who would benefit from support getting into employment, please visit our page on support getting into jobs, education and training or you can refer a young person to SfYP.
Young people can also talk about their future with SfYP Advisers at their local young people’s centre.
If you are an employer, find out about offering a work experience placement to a young person by following this link: Information for employers.
