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Finding Work as a Young Person with a Disability

Everyone can work!

Having a paid job is an important part of most people’s lives and helps to make us who we are. People do all sorts of jobs. They look for jobs they like and they are good at. There are a lot of different jobs that you could learn to do. 

Many people do not find their ideal job straight away. However it is important to keep working towards having a job. There are people that can help and support you and there are other things that you can do which may make it easier.

Stay positive and don’t give up!

Top Tips

Have a think about what sort of job you want

  • what things do you like to do?
  • what things are you good at?
  • how many hours a week you want to work?
  • where do you want to work?
  • Can you get there easily?

Find out what your family and friends think too, do they have any ideas?

Passport to Success - Developing Skills for Work

The International Youth Foundation has developed a mobile-optimised course to support young people ages 16 to 24 in developing work readiness skills such as time management, problem-solving, and self-confidence. In the development of this course, they worked with young people from around the world to create a learning platform that is fun and engaging. You can register here to access this.

 

  • Volunteering is a way to get experience of working without getting paid. It can help you to find a job.
  • Do some training to help you to decide what sort of a job you might enjoy.
  • Get help and support. There are many people who could help you to find a job and make sure you have the right support to make it work. This could be your family, your teacher, a Disability Employment Advisor at your local Job Centre, Supported Employment Agencies or a job coach for example.
  • Think about what other support you might need to get a job, is there anyone else who could help, would a piece of equipment help?, some training?, or some extra funding?
  • Volunteering is a way to get experience of working without getting paid. It can help you to find a job.
  • Do some training to help you to decide what sort of a job you might enjoy.
  • Get help and support. There are many people who could help you to find a job and make sure you have the right support to make it work. This could be your family, your teacher, a Disability Employment Advisor at your local Job Centre, Supported Employment Agencies or a job coach for example.
  • Think about what other support you might need to get a job, is there anyone else who could help, would a piece of equipment help?, some training?, or some extra funding?

Getting a job can mean that you have more money than being on benefits but also better off in lots of other ways too like having more friends and having things to fill your time. If you you receive any benefits now, you may lose these (or some of these) if you earn more than a certain amount but if you receive PIP, this won't change if you work. 

Benefits checker

You need to decide what is best for you.

  • full-time work may be difficult for some people if they get tired easily or have a medical condition
  • for some people a mix of part-time paid work, voluntary work and leisure is a good choice
  • 16 hours is the aim for many but it could start at as little as one hour a week.

Start with whatever you can do and then go from there.

 

Getting a job can mean that you have more money than being on benefits but also better off in lots of other ways too like having more friends and having things to fill your time. If you you receive any benefits now, you may lose these (or some of these) if you earn more than a certain amount but if you receive PIP, this won't change if you work. 

Benefits checker

You need to decide what is best for you.

  • full-time work may be difficult for some people if they get tired easily or have a medical condition
  • for some people a mix of part-time paid work, voluntary work and leisure is a good choice
  • 16 hours is the aim for many but it could start at as little as one hour a week.

Start with whatever you can do and then go from there.

 

When you’re looking for work, look on adverts and application forms for the ‘disability confident’ symbol.

Disability confident logo

There are three different levels for disability confident employers:

Level

What it means

What to expect

⭐ Level 1

Just starting

Good intentions, still learning

⭐⭐ Level 2

Taking action

Better support and adjustments

⭐⭐⭐ Level 3

Leading the way

Strong, experienced support

Find out about jobs in your area on the Find a Job website.

Getting help

Your local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability-friendly employers in your area.

They can also refer you to a specialist work psychologist, if appropriate, or carry out an ‘employment assessment’, asking you about:

  • your skills and experience
  • what kind of roles you’re interested in

More information on Training and Employment

Programmes and grants

Your work coach can tell you about programmes and grants to help you back into work. These include:

When you’re looking for work, look on adverts and application forms for the ‘disability confident’ symbol.

Disability confident logo

There are three different levels for disability confident employers:

Level

What it means

What to expect

⭐ Level 1

Just starting

Good intentions, still learning

⭐⭐ Level 2

Taking action

Better support and adjustments

⭐⭐⭐ Level 3

Leading the way

Strong, experienced support

Find out about jobs in your area on the Find a Job website.

Getting help

Your local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability-friendly employers in your area.

They can also refer you to a specialist work psychologist, if appropriate, or carry out an ‘employment assessment’, asking you about:

  • your skills and experience
  • what kind of roles you’re interested in

More information on Training and Employment

Programmes and grants

Your work coach can tell you about programmes and grants to help you back into work. These include:

Find out about jobs in your area on the Find a Job website.

Getting help

Your local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability-friendly employers in your area.

They can also refer you to a specialist work psychologist, if appropriate, or carry out an ‘employment assessment’, asking you about:

  • your skills and experience
  • what kind of roles you’re interested in

More information on Training and Employment

Programmes and grants

Your work coach can tell you about programmes and grants to help you back into work. These include:

Find out about jobs in your area on the Find a Job website.

Getting help

Your local Jobcentre can help you find a job or gain new skills and tell you about disability-friendly employers in your area.

They can also refer you to a specialist work psychologist, if appropriate, or carry out an ‘employment assessment’, asking you about:

  • your skills and experience
  • what kind of roles you’re interested in

More information on Training and Employment

Programmes and grants

Your work coach can tell you about programmes and grants to help you back into work. These include:

Finding a job can feel exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you are not sure where to start. This guide has been created to help young people with SEND understand their rights, build confidence, and access support to prepare for employment. It explains what help is available when applying for jobs, attending interviews, and starting work.

The resource includes information about Disability Confident employers, what reasonable adjustments are, and how to ask for support during the recruitment process and in the workplace. It also explains why asking for adjustments can help you show your skills and strengths and reminds you that everyone deserves a fair opportunity to succeed.

This guide also signposts a range of local and national services that can help with writing a CV, completing applications, preparing for interviews, finding employment opportunities, and building confidence for work. Whether you are looking for your first job, an apprenticeship, training, or support to explore your options, there are people and organisations that can help.

Most importantly, this resource aims to help you feel informed, confident, and supported as you take your next steps towards employment. You are not expected to do it all on your own, and there is support available every step of the way.

Download Finding Work

Finding a job can feel exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you are not sure where to start. This guide has been created to help young people with SEND understand their rights, build confidence, and access support to prepare for employment. It explains what help is available when applying for jobs, attending interviews, and starting work.

The resource includes information about Disability Confident employers, what reasonable adjustments are, and how to ask for support during the recruitment process and in the workplace. It also explains why asking for adjustments can help you show your skills and strengths and reminds you that everyone deserves a fair opportunity to succeed.

This guide also signposts a range of local and national services that can help with writing a CV, completing applications, preparing for interviews, finding employment opportunities, and building confidence for work. Whether you are looking for your first job, an apprenticeship, training, or support to explore your options, there are people and organisations that can help.

Most importantly, this resource aims to help you feel informed, confident, and supported as you take your next steps towards employment. You are not expected to do it all on your own, and there is support available every step of the way.

Download Finding Work

Applying for a job

You may be able to apply for an Access to Work grant if you need communication support at your job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker).

There are some organisations which help with filling in application forms and writing CV's. For example:

Questions about your health or disability

An employer is not normally allowed to ask you questions about your health or disability before they offer you a job.

They can only ask you about this for very limited reasons, for example to:

  • make ‘reasonable adjustments’ - for example if you need a large print version of a test
  • decide if you can do something that is an essential part of the job

If something doesn't seem right and you don't think an employer is being fair you can call the Disability Rights Helpline for advice.

Applying for a job

You may be able to apply for an Access to Work grant if you need communication support at your job interview (for example, a British Sign Language interpreter or a lipspeaker).

There are some organisations which help with filling in application forms and writing CV's. For example:

Questions about your health or disability

An employer is not normally allowed to ask you questions about your health or disability before they offer you a job.

They can only ask you about this for very limited reasons, for example to:

  • make ‘reasonable adjustments’ - for example if you need a large print version of a test
  • decide if you can do something that is an essential part of the job

If something doesn't seem right and you don't think an employer is being fair you can call the Disability Rights Helpline for advice.

Support to Work is a free online and telephone support programme for disabled people who are looking for paid work in the United Kingdom.

Sign up today

Eligibility

Support to Work is open to disabled people who:

  • are 16 years or over
  • are looking for a paid job
  • have internet, email and telephone
  • live in the United Kingdom

For more information about how this programme can help you, watch the video.

 

Support to Work is a free online and telephone support programme for disabled people who are looking for paid work in the United Kingdom.

Sign up today

Eligibility

Support to Work is open to disabled people who:

  • are 16 years or over
  • are looking for a paid job
  • have internet, email and telephone
  • live in the United Kingdom

For more information about how this programme can help you, watch the video.

 

Connect to Work is a free programme that helps disabled people, people with health conditions, or anyone who faces other challenges, to find and keep a job. It is voluntary, which means you choose whether or not to take part. 

Is It Right for You?

If you want to work, but need some help to get started or to stay in a job, Connect to Work can support you every step of the way.

Who Can Join?

You can join Connect to Work if you:

  • Are 18 or older
  • Live in Hampshire
  • Have a disability, a health condition, or other barriers to work
  • Have the right to live and work in the UK
  • Are not currently working or are at risk of losing your job
  • Want support to get into work and find a job that suits you
What Support Is Offered?

Connect to Work gives you:

  • One‑to‑one support that is personalised to your needs
  • Up to 12 months of ongoing support
  • Help with finding the right job, training, or work experience
  • Support in work, for both you and your employer, to help you stay in your job
How It Works
  1. You fill in a short form.
  2. A member of the team contacts you to talk about your goals.
  3. They match you with the right jobs, training, or support.
  4. You move into work with ongoing help from the team.
How Long Does the Programme Run? 

Connect to Work will be available in Hampshire until 2030, helping thousands of people find sustainable employment. 

Sometimes there may be a waiting list, and the team will let you know if that’s the case.

How do you sign up?

Fill in this short form to sign up

Connect to Work is a free programme that helps disabled people, people with health conditions, or anyone who faces other challenges, to find and keep a job. It is voluntary, which means you choose whether or not to take part. 

Is It Right for You?

If you want to work, but need some help to get started or to stay in a job, Connect to Work can support you every step of the way.

Who Can Join?

You can join Connect to Work if you:

  • Are 18 or older
  • Live in Hampshire
  • Have a disability, a health condition, or other barriers to work
  • Have the right to live and work in the UK
  • Are not currently working or are at risk of losing your job
  • Want support to get into work and find a job that suits you
What Support Is Offered?

Connect to Work gives you:

  • One‑to‑one support that is personalised to your needs
  • Up to 12 months of ongoing support
  • Help with finding the right job, training, or work experience
  • Support in work, for both you and your employer, to help you stay in your job
How It Works
  1. You fill in a short form.
  2. A member of the team contacts you to talk about your goals.
  3. They match you with the right jobs, training, or support.
  4. You move into work with ongoing help from the team.
How Long Does the Programme Run? 

Connect to Work will be available in Hampshire until 2030, helping thousands of people find sustainable employment. 

Sometimes there may be a waiting list, and the team will let you know if that’s the case.

How do you sign up?

Fill in this short form to sign up

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