Inclusive Support for Employers and Employees
Get Set for Work is a new inclusive support service
delivered by Get Set UK on behalf of Essex County Council.
The programme brings new support services to adults with a learning disability and/or neurodiverse needs, living in Essex.
Working alongside Essex County Council and in partnership with ECL Inclusive Employment, Get Set for Work focuses on 3 key support services:
We can help you become a more inclusive employer.
Essex is home to thousands of businesses, but not every business is as inclusive as they’d like to be.
Embracing and valuing employees of different backgrounds helps create a strong company culture and can improve employee performance.
If you are ready to create a more inclusive workplace, Get Set for Work can help you. Our free support services are designed to help assess where you are now and will outline the steps towards becoming a more inclusive employer. It doesn’t matter where you start, as long as you start the journey!
Consultation and needs assessment >
Assess your company’s practices and policies to understand your strengths and areas for improvement regarding inclusivity for employees with a learning disability/neurodiverse needs.
Training programmes and education >
Deliver training programmes to educate your employees about learning disabilities and neurodiversity, including understanding different conditions and communication strategies to support colleagues with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs.
Accessibility audits and recommendations >
Audit your physical spaces, website, and communication materials to ensure they are accessible and user-friendly for individuals with various disabilities. Provide recommendations for improvements to meet accessibility standards.
Policy and procedure development >
Assist in the development and revision of policies and procedures to ensure they are inclusive and accommodating to support those with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs. This includes creating reasonable accommodation policies.
Assistive technology guidance and training >
Advise on assistive technologies that can enhance accessibility for employees and customers with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs, provide training and help to integrate these technologies into your systems and services.
Inclusive design and marketing strategies >
Collaborate with your marketing team to develop inclusive marketing strategies that resonate with a diverse audience, including those with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs, and ensure accessibility in design and content.
Community engagement and partnerships >
Facilitate partnerships with relevant organisations or groups representing individuals with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs to foster a sense of community and ensure your services are aligned with community needs.
Accessibility certification assistance >
Assist in obtaining accessibility certifications or recognitions to showcase your commitment to inclusivity for employees and customers with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs.
Sensory-friendly recommendations >
Recommend adjustments to the physical environment (lighting, noise levels, signage) to create a sensory-friendly space for employees and customers with sensory sensitivities.
We can support you in your current job role.
Many companies are still at the start of their journey to becoming an inclusive employer.
You may be facing challenges in your current position such as an unwillingness to provide reasonable accommodations, a physical environment that is inaccessible or hard to navigate, negative attitudes within the work environment or a lack of assistive tools or technologies to help you be effective in your role.
If you are working at an Essex-based company and feel like you are at risk of losing your job, considering leaving your job or struggling in your role due to barriers in the workplace, Get Set for Work can help you.
Provide you with a dedicated Job Coach >
Your Job Coach will work with you to understand your abilities, strengths and needs to support you in your role. This may include structured training needs, travel training, job re-adjustments, support to be included at work socially and ongoing problem-solving support.
Overcome day-to-day barriers at work >
Work with you and your supervisor to establish a three-way relationship to foster a supportive work environment, identify appropriate workplace accommodations and ensure that support is tailored to your specific needs e.g., support for neurodiverse employees to develop coping skills.
Monitor progress and provide feedback >
Regularly assess your progress and provide constructive feedback. Celebrate your achievements and offer guidance on areas for improvement, promote self-reflection and goal setting so you are empowered to take control of your own employment needs.
Promote inclusivity in the workplace >
Educate colleagues and supervisors about neurodiversity and learning disabilities to promote understanding and inclusivity in the workplace.
We offer advice and guidance for you and your family/carer to help you back into work.
Everyone has the right to work. If you are considering moving into employment, the Get Set for Work programme can help you.
We understand that there may be some hesitancy from you and your family/carer as you consider moving into paid employment. We can help you tackle these barriers:
– Employers won’t want to employ me
– It isn’t possible for me to work
– I will be affected financially
There are many benefits from being employed. As well as earning your own money, finding a job that suits you can help build your self confidence, give you some independence, bring a sense of purpose and achievement and is also a great way to widen your social circle and make new friends.
Provide you with a dedicated Family Support Officer >
Working directly or with your family/carer, a dedicated Support Officer will explore your circumstances, barriers, and goals in a non-pressured way, and help you overcome any hesitancy you have about moving into employment.
Meet the employer lunch sessions >
Lunch sessions where you and your family/carer can meet and informally chat with employers and people with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs, who have successfully progressed into sustainable employment.
Employment myth-busting sessions >
Collaborative sessions to address misconceptions surrounding employment, such as “someone like me couldn’t do that”. Sessions will be led by individuals with learning disabilities/neurodiverse needs who have already progressed into employment.
Financial impact review and Better-Off calculation >
Identify and discuss any financial concerns you and your family/carer may have about you seeking employment. We will provide you with impartial advice on benefit entitlements and support you with better-off calculations.
Support to overcome practical barriers >
Working with you and your family/carer, we will advise you on additional employment, well-being and training services and online resources that can support you in overcoming practical barriers to gaining employment e.g., travel training provided by Essex Travel Training.
