Preparing for adulthood: Employment

Every young person deserves the opportunity to experience the world of work and enjoy the benefits of paid employment. Many young people are eager to find a job, and as a parent, you play a key role in supporting them on this journey.

Getting work ready

Looking for a job can take time, so it’s important to stay positive and build on existing skills. Encouraging your young person to assess their abilities through a skills health check can help identify strengths and areas for improvement.

To be work ready, young people should:

Have a positive attitude – be willing to work independently and as part of a team, be punctual, and dress appropriately.
Develop basic skills – Good English and Maths skills are required for most jobs.
Gain experience and qualifications – Additional training, work experience, or qualifications can improve employability.

If your young person isn’t quite ready for employment, they may benefit from Bromley Council’s employment programme or take part in Bromley Mencap’s employment service programmes.

Employment programmes for young people with SEND

For young people who are ready to take their next step towards employment, Bromley Council offers an employability programme for young people aged 18 to 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The six‑week course is designed for young people who are not currently in education, employment or training (often referred to as NEET), and focuses on building confidence, independence and practical employability skills. Participants will explore different types of jobs and industries, identify their strengths and interests, and develop essential skills such as CV writing, interview preparation, communication at work and managing anxiety. The programme offers structured group sessions alongside personalised support, providing a safe and inclusive environment to help young people take positive next steps towards employment.

For more information about the programme, email SEND.Employment@bromley.gov.uk

Finding a job

Many young people visit a Jobcentre Plus or search online for job vacancies. The local Jobcentre Plus in Bromley is located at: Unicorn House, 28 Elmfield Road, Bromley, BR1 1NX

If your young person has a disability or health condition that makes it difficult to attend Jobcentre appointments, they can request reasonable adjustments or speak with a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA). DEAs provide guidance on job searching, training opportunities, and disability friendly employers. They can also arrange an ‘employment assessment’ to identify suitable roles based on skills and experience.

More information is available at: Looking for work if you're disabled: Looking for a job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Connect to Work

Connect to Work is a local programme delivered by Bromley Works that supports residents with disabilities or health conditions to move into employment. The scheme offers personalised one‑to‑one guidance, skills development and interview preparation, working with local employers to help people access suitable job opportunities. Residents can complete an online expression of interest form and the Bromley Works team will get in touch to discuss the support available.

Find out more about Connect to Work.

Job coaching support

Your young person may be eligible for support from a job coach – a trained professional who assists individuals with disabilities in accessing and maintaining employment. Bromley Mencap’s job coaching agency provides support in areas such as:

Interview preparation
Workplace inductions
Travel training
On-the-job performance and training

Funding for job coaching may be available through the Access to Work scheme, which provides financial support for workplace adjustments. The easy read guide also gives more information about the Access to Work scheme.

Identifying inclusive employers

When looking at job adverts and application forms, look for the ‘Disability Confident’ symbol. This means the employer is committed to employing and supporting disabled employees. Employers in this scheme promise to:

Proactively recruit disabled individuals
Provide an inclusive, accessible recruitment process
Offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum job criteria

A list of Disability Confident Employers can be downloaded from GOV.UK.

Employment rights and support

It is against the law for an employer to discriminate based on disability. The Equality Act 2010 ensures employers make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support disabled employees. More information is available on the Citizens Advice website.

Read GOV.UK guidance about employing disabled people and people with health conditions.

Further information

There are a number of national and local organisations that offer resources to support young people in their job search:

Disability Rights UK – Guidance on job applications and interviews

National Autistic Society - Employment support services

Royal Mencap - Easy-read job seeking guides

Scope - Online and telephone job seeking support

The following organisations can also provide you with information about careers:

By encouraging and guiding your young person, you can help them take meaningful steps towards independence and success in the workplace.