Finding Work
On this page
Introduction
Find out more
- Working age at 16/17 the law
- Successful job hunting
- Adult education for ages 19+
- Mencap Easy Read guides
- Build confidence, improve wellbeing and learn new skills (for ages 16+
- Skills Bootcamps (for ages 19+)
Where can I get help
- Family carers and friends
- Support at school or college
- Support from Norfolk County Council and Gov.UK
Further information and Support
- Support to help you find work and succeed at work
- Take a look at Local Supported Employment & Connect To Work
- Access to Work
- Benefits & support if you’re disabled or have a health condition
Introduction
This section is all about helping you explore your work options 👀
Why work?
There are loads of reasons why having a job can be a really good thing. You can:
- Meet new people
- Learn new skills
- Go to new places
- Show people what you can do 💪
- And of course… earn some money (depending on the job!)
Thinking about getting a job?
Getting into work doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a bit of a journey, and that’s totally normal. It can help to think about a few things first:
- What do you actually enjoy doing?
- What are you good at?
- Do you think you might need any support along the way?
Norfolk County Council has put together a SEND work and skills booklet that you can download. It’s packed with useful info about different jobs, plus real stories from young people with special educational needs and disabilities. It’s a great place to start if you’re not sure what you might want to do yet.
Watch a video 🎬
There’s a great video from the Kids Young People’s Hub that shows what a typical working day can look like for a young person with SEND. Definitely worth checking out!
Find out more
Did you know that if you’re 16 or 17, you need to stay in some kind of learning until you turn 18? Don’t worry—this doesn’t mean you have to stay in school! There are loads of different options, like going to college, starting an apprenticeship, doing training, or getting a job that includes training.
It can feel a bit confusing at first (totally normal!), but Directions has put together a really helpful guide that explains everything in a clear and easy way.
If you haven’t already, it’s a great idea to check out the Apprenticeships and Work section first. Apprenticeships and Work
It’s full of useful info about things like apprenticeships, different types of jobs, training options, what employers are looking for, and loads more.
It’s a really good place to start if you’re figuring out what might be right for you!
Want some help finding a job? The successful job hunting guide has got you covered! It shows you how to:
- Find the best job vacancies
- Write a CV that stands out ✨
- Fill in application forms
- Write a great cover letter
- Make confident phone calls 📞
- Get ready for interviews
- And more!
It’s a really good place to start if you’re looking for a job or just want to build your confidence.
If you’re 19 or older, Adult Education offers free courses to help you build job skills.
These are great if you want support with things like:
- CV writing
- Interview skills
- Reading and English
- Computer and digital skills 💻
- And more!
It’s a really good place to start if you’re looking for a job or want to boost your confidence.
Prefer things explained in a simple, easy-to-read way? You might find the Mencap Easy Read Guides really helpful.
They cover things like finding a job and understanding your options, using clear language and visuals to make everything easier to follow.
They’re a great way to build your confidence and help you take steps towards getting a paid job 💼
The Opportunities Now section has loads of courses and programmes that can help you:
- Feel more confident 😊
- Build skills for work
- Get ready for learning or training
It’s definitely worth checking out to see if there’s something that suits you.
Not every course runs all the time, but don’t worry—there’s still support available. If you’re not currently in education, employment or training (sometimes called NEET), an adviser can help you find something that works for you.
You can get in touch by:
- Calling the Helpdesk on 0344 800 8022 📞
- Emailing helpyouchoose@norfolk.gov.uk ✉️
And don’t forget—you can also contact providers directly if something catches your interest!
Are you 19 or over and want to boost your skills quickly? Skills Bootcamps could be a great option!
They’re funded by the government, which means they’re free—and even better, they’re open to everyone, whether you’re employed, self-employed or not currently working.
Feeling curious? You can find out more on the Norfolk & Suffolk Skills Bootcamp pages and see what’s available.
Where can I get help?
Family, carers and friends 🤝
Sometimes the people closest to you can give the best advice.
Family members, carers and friends might:
- Know someone who works in a job you’re interested in
- Have useful experience they can share
- Help you think through your ideas
If you go to a club, hobby group or activity, the leaders or helpers there might also have some great tips!
Support at school or college 🎓
If you’re still at school or college, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
You can talk to:
- Your SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)
- Your careers teacher or careers adviser
They’re there to help you explore your options and understand what you might need for your next steps.
Support from Norfolk County Council and GOV.UK 🌐
Did you know Norfolk County Council has loads of services to support young people?
You can find out more in the Local Offer section called People Who Can Help You Prepare for Adult Life—it’s a great place to see what support is out there 👀 If you’re not currently in work, education or training (sometimes called NEET) and you’re aged 16–18 (or under 25 with an EHCP), you can get free support from an adviser.
You can contact them by:
- Calling 0344 800 8022 📞
- Emailing helpyouchoose@norfolk.gov.uk ✉️
They’re there to help you figure out your next steps and support you along the way.
Further Information and Support
>Support to help you find work and succeed at work
Getting a job is a big step—no doubt about it! But the good news is, you’re not on your own.
There’s lots of support out there to help you find a job, feel more confident at work, and do your best once you’re there.
Your right to reasonable adjustments
Did you know that if you have a disability, you have the right to reasonable adjustments at work?
This means your employer should make changes to help you do your job, like:
- Giving you extra time to complete tasks
- Offering flexible working hours
- Providing equipment to make things easier
- Creating a quieter workspace
These adjustments are there to help you work in a way that suits you—so you can do just as well as anyone else 👍
You can find out more in the Support and Help at Work section on the Local Offer. It explains the different types of support available and how they can help you in your job.
>Take a look at Local Supported Employment & Connect To Work
These programmes are designed to support people like autistic adults, those with learning or physical disabilities, care leavers, and ex-offenders to:
- Find work
- Build confidence 💪
- Stay in jobs long-term
You’ll also have a job coach to support you along the way.
They don’t just help you find a job—they’ll stick with you once you’ve started too. They’ll work closely with you and your employer to help with things like:
- Learning new tasks
- Building your confidence
- Communication
- Staying organised at work
Sound interesting? You can find out more about Local Supported Employment and Connect to Work on the Norfolk County Council website.
>Access to Work
Want to know what Access to Work is? 🤔
Access to Work is support from the government that can help if you have a disability or a physical or mental health condition.
It can help you with things like:
- Starting a job
- Staying in a job
- Getting support with travel, equipment and more 🚗💻
It’s there to make working easier and more accessible for you.
You can find out more on the Access to Work webpages, and there's also a DWP Easy Read Guide if you prefer something simpler to follow.
>Benefits & support if you’re disabled or have a health condition
If you’re disabled or have a health condition and want to understand what financial support you can get, these websites could really help:
- The Gov.UK website has clear, easy-to-follow information. You can also talk it through with an adviser or job coach if you need a bit of extra help.
- Disability Right UK explains things like the new-style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and what it means for you.
These can be a great starting point if you’re trying to figure out what support is out there.
Other Information in the Finding Work section
