Resources
Practical material for young people, families, teachers, support staff and employers who want to help more young people with severe learning disabilities into paid work.
Using these resources
The resources on this page are written to be read alongside everyday practice. They explain the thinking behind the project and offer simple tools that can be adapted to local circumstances rather than applied as fixed programmes.
Where possible, material is written in plain language and designed to be shared with the young person as well as with the adults around them.
Planning a first step
A good first step is small, specific and agreed with the young person. Start by writing down what they enjoy, what they are good at and one place where they could try a short activity. Review the step after a few weeks and decide what comes next.
Checklists for workplace visits
Before a visit, it helps to agree what the young person wants to see and do, who will go with them and how they will let the host know what support they need.
- Agree the purpose of the visit with the young person
- Share a short, plain-language profile with the host employer
- Plan a clear point for questions and a quiet break
- Note what went well and what to try next time
Guidance for employers
Employers often want to help but are unsure where to begin. Useful starting points include describing the role in clear steps, agreeing a named colleague to check in during the first weeks and adjusting the working day where it makes a difference.
Supporting families
Families know their young person better than anyone, and they often carry the worry about what comes next. Sharing information openly, asking what the family hopes for and agreeing how progress will be communicated can make the process feel less uncertain.
Families are partners in planning. Their knowledge and their concerns are part of every decision about next steps.
Working with schools and colleges
Education is where many pathways begin. Teachers can build work-related goals into everyday learning, arrange short visits to local employers and record the skills young people show in real settings.
Sharing what works
Practical knowledge grows when people share what they have tried. If a resource has helped you, or if you have adapted one for your setting, consider passing that learning on to others working towards the same goal.
Have a question about a resource or want to suggest material for this page? Get in touch with the project team.