Employment and working
See what options you have.
Find a job that you’ll enjoy.
And see what support you can get.
Find a job
Looking for work if you're disabled
When you’re looking for work, look on adverts and application forms for the ‘disability confident’ symbol.
This symbol means:
- the employer is committed to employing disabled people
- you’ll be guaranteed an interview if you meet the basic conditions for the job
National Careers Service
Information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work.
Disability Rights UK
Information, advice and guidance on career opportunities, including getting into work.
Support to Work:
A free online and telephone support programme for disabled people who are looking for paid work.
This is not a face-to-face service, so may not be right for everyone.
Support in your job
Access to work
If you’re disabled or have a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to do your job, you can get extra help from Access to Work, including mental health support.
Reasonable adjustments
Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs.
This applies to all workers, including trainees, apprentices, contract workers and business partners.
Options for work
Supported internships
Supported internships are for young people aged 16 — 24 with learning difficulties or learning disabilities, who want to get a job and need extra support to do this.
To be eligible you need an Education Health and Care Plan.
Supported internships are unpaid and last for a minimum of six months. Wherever possible, they support you to move into paid employment at the end of the programme.
Traineeships
A traineeship is a course with work experience that gets you ready for work or an apprenticeship.
You won’t be paid, but your employers can sometimes give you expenses for things like travel and meals. Traineeships prepare you for future careers by helping you to become ready for work.
Traineeships last from six weeks to six months, and are tailored to your individual career needs
Apprenticeships and training
To start or change your career you usually need a combination of experience and qualifications.
An apprenticeship is a good way to combine on the job training with studying, usually for one day a week, towards a formal, nationally-recognised qualification at the end of your apprenticeship.