Supported Employment (for residents)

Supported Employment is everyone’s responsibility

In Salford we believe people with a learning disability and/or autism deserve the same opportunities in life as their peers, including paid employment. We know that most people with a learning disability or autism can and want to work, as long as they have access to the right support.

About the service

Having a job isn’t just about earning an income - it’s much more than that. Securing work can help individuals to build independence, confidence, and skills, as well as widening friendships and social networks, and being seen as a full member of society.

However, finding and sustaining employment can sometimes be tough for some people with autism or learning disabilities, but our Supported Employment Service is here to help. The service helps people with learning disabilities or autism to find a job and ongoing supports in the workplace to sustain employment. We work with a wide range of businesses and organisations and provide support for both the employee and employer for as long as needed.

What support is available?

Our supported employment key workers take the time to get to know a person’s individual needs, skills, interests and goals. Exploring these areas with participants helps the key worker to match individuals with the most suitable jobs. At the same time, the team works with the employer to make sure the necessary workplace adjustments and in-work support in place before they start.

We will help you every step of the way, including supporting you with benefit claims to ensure you receive the correct benefits whilst in work. A lot of people are worried of losing benefits they have received all their lives, but it does not mean you will be worse off financially by working, as other benefits can be claimed whilst in-work. As such, we will work with you to maximise your income, working hours and any financial benefits you are entitled to.

The support provided for each person may vary but will consist of 12 months pre work support to help people develop the necessary skills, experience, and confidence to secure employment, and then in-work support to sustain employment.

Am I eligible for support?

To access Salford’s Local Supported Employment Service, you must:

  • have a learning disability or autism or both and meet the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability
  • be known to the Local Authority and/or Adult Social Care
  • be economically inactive or unemployed and not in paid employment, including paid self-employment
  • be aged 18 or more and a Salford resident
  • show willingness and understand the benefit of participating in the service to find and sustain paid work
  • have an entitlement to public funds, for example, welfare benefits
  • have the right to work in the UK
  • not be in work or full-time education
  • not be on another Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) contracted employment programme or provision including the European Social Fund

Please note: Individuals will not have to provide medical evidence to be eligible for the service. Also, you don't need to be in receipt of specific benefits, or if you do receive benefits this doesn’t mean you can’t apply for the service.

Meet our Supported Employment key worker team!

The team support and help residents to develop key skills, find work opportunities, build experience and confidence so that they're ready for the world of work. Our team offer one-to-one support, including in-work training and guidance for both participants and employers, which can include workplace adjustments.

If your business or organisation is interested in getting involved or if you're looking for a job but need a bit of extra support or know someone who could benefit from our Supported Employment Service get in touch today!

Case studies

Meet Amy! Amy wants to work in retail. She’s been getting help from Lorraine in our Supported Employment team to prepare for work and find suitable opportunities. Lorraine will work with the employer to help Amy settle in and support Amy for up to a year. Hear Amy’s story here.

Find out more

We’re hosting drop-in sessions at Gateways across Salford where you can come and chat to the team and ask any questions you may have. Call in and see us any time between 10am and 2pm on the following dates:

Broughton Hub

  • Tuesday 5 March

Swinton Gateway

  • Thursday 8 February
  • Tuesday 12 March

Eccles Gateway

  • Tuesday 13 February
  • Thursday 28 March

Pendleton Gateway

  • Wednesday 21 February
  • Tuesday 19 March

Walkden Gateway

  • Tuesday 27  February

How to apply

If you think you meet the above eligibility criteria, you can apply for support through the service. Someone else, such as a family member, social worker, or work coach can help you to apply and/or apply on your behalf.

Once your application is received the Salford Supported Employment Service will assess whether we can support you and contact you to arrange an informal one-to-one meeting. The purpose of which is to provide you with more information about the service, the eligibility criteria, and the application process. You may have some questions too. The meeting will help the team to learn more about you, including any specific needs you may have, adjustments for consideration and any pre-employment courses and training that might be suitable.

Complete the online application form

If you are unable to complete the above online application form, please contact a member of the supported employment team for a paper version of the form: Nicola Griffiths or David Timperley supportedemploymentservice@salford.gov.uk or telephone 0161 793 2533.

Further information

If you would like to make an initial enquiry and/or to find out more about Salford’s Local Supported Employment service, please contact Nicola Griffiths or David Timperley supportedemploymentservice@salford.gov.uk or telephone 0161 793 2533.

This page was last updated on 14 February 2024

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