Information for Employers

Young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities deserve the same opportunities as their peers, including the chance to live independently and gain meaningful employment.

This section is for employers who want more information about providing opportunities for young people with SEND. Whether your business has no experience and you’re unsure where to start, or you’re already supporting a diverse workforce and would benefit from a ‘one-stop shop’ for connecting with other stakeholders and opportunities, this section is here to help.

Young person with special needs at work (1)

A diverse workforce can enhance your corporate image and strengthen your business reputation. It also supports your equality and diversity goals, while helping you better understand — and be understood by — your disabled customers. The ‘Purple Pound’ is worth £274 billion in the UK, representing a growing market of over 16 million disabled people. However, 73% of disabled online shoppers experience barriers on websites, and 4 in 10 are unable to visit shops due to poor accessibility.

Taking positive action by recruiting and supporting people with disabilities will help your business become more inclusive and more confident when working with disabled colleagues and customers. It can also boost staff morale, creating a workplace culture where employees feel they are treated fairly.

The video from The Diversity Movement highlights the business benefits of disability inclusion:

There are many benefits for employers in recruiting and investing in individuals with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and/or autism:

Diverse talent pool: Recruiting people with disabilities or additional needs allows employers to access a wider, often overlooked talent pool. Many individuals with SEND bring valuable skills and strengths that may be missed by traditional recruitment methods, which often focus heavily on written communication or formal qualifications.
Unique strengths and perspectives: Employees with SEND can offer fresh perspectives, innovative problem-solving approaches, and new ways of thinking. This diversity of thought can enhance creativity and contribute to a more dynamic workforce.
Reliability and loyalty: Research and experience show that employees with disabilities often demonstrate strong reliability, commitment, and loyalty when given the opportunity to succeed.
Improved company culture and morale: Creating an inclusive workplace that values all employees can boost morale and engagement. It also shows a commitment to fairness and social responsibility, strengthening your employer brand.
Enhanced accessibility and innovation: Making workplaces more accessible often leads to improvements that benefit everyone, such as flexible working arrangements, better use of technology (e.g. captioned video tools), and clearer communication practices.
Reflecting the customer base: A diverse workforce better reflects society and your customer base, helping to improve customer relationships and insight.

Find out more about the benefits for employers