Type of service: Employment services

Website: https://www.care-trade.org

The Autism Project. This is a full time 2-year employment programme for young people on the autism spectrum who would like to work but need more confidence, support, skills, and experience. All students follow our supported internship curriculum for their first term and typically, students will spend 3 terms (their first year) following this: they will learn within real work experience placements within either Guy’s & St. Thomas’ or Whittington hospitals four days a week, supported by work-place mentors and specialist job coaches. They will also attend class once a week, where they learn valuable employability and independent living skills. The objective is for young people to become ‘work-ready’. Students also have access to weekly SaLT and Wellbeing sessions if needed. In addition The Autism Project supports young people to improve their independent living skills, become involved in their community and take steps to stay healthy through enrichment activities and social groups that run across all CareTrade services. This includes travel training. Who is the service for? Young adults with a diagnosis of autism, living in London Criteria for access to service: A diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, aged 18-25, wants to work. Has or is in the process of being assessed for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). How is this provided? This service will be provided initially by 4 days a week work placement within Guys and St Thomas or The Whittington hospital, supported by trained mentors and managers with regular visits from CareTrade mentor and job coach, combined with class based learning once a week. Employability and Functional Skills are taught. How can I access this service? We accept referrals from Local Authorities and directly from young people. Applicants should complete a TAP application form and supply copies of documents as requested including a copy of a current EHCP where applicable. We hold informal interviews with all applicants (who meet our primary criteria) How is this service funded? A young person’s place is funded by their Local Authority (usually by Education but sometimes Social Services or a combination of these). This usually requires an EHCP to be in place or for an assessment to be in progress. Occasionally a student may be funded otherwise. Contact us: Email: jemma.dear@caretradeuk.org info@caretradeuk.org In Work Support/ Access to work support and consultancy We offer this to any autistic employee and their workplace in and around London. For more information contact us at info@caretradeuk.org
 

Aimed at: Adult

Gender: All genders

Specialisms: Exclusively autism specific