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Supporting people with learning disabilities and/or autism into work

A range of useful resources designed to help people with learning disabilities and/ or autism to find interesting and rewarding employment have been launched across Suffolk.

Called “Work Ready”, the toolkit features video interviews with employees, as well as Easy Read documents for candidates, which include advice on filling in application forms, what to expect when starting a job and the impact which work may have on benefits.

It also includes information for employers, such as the support which is available free of charge from the government and advice on reasonable adjustments they may need to make for staff with learning disabilities and/ or autism. This could include producing Easy Read application forms, taking more time to explain things and finding alternatives to formal interviews, such as job coaching schemes where the candidate can meet the team and see whether the role suits both them and the potential employer.

Information for employers and candidates

1. A guide to reasonable adjustments

pdf, 7 MB

2. Voluntary & paid work – the impact it may have on your benefits

pdf, 13 MB

3. The different jobs available in the NHS

pdf, 18 MB

4. Applying for a job in the NHS – an easy-read guide

pdf, 11 MB

5. Writing a job application – an easy-read guide

pdf, 13 MB

6. Recognising your skills

pdf, 10 MB

7. Access to work – an easy-read

pdf, 13 MB

8. Step by step to employment

pdf, 13 MB

9. Supported employment – an easy-read guide

pdf, 10 MB

10. Supported internships – an easy-read guide

pdf, 9 MB

11. The NHS learning disability employment programme – an easy-read guide

pdf, 6 MB

12. Specialist Employability Support

pdf, 7 MB

13. The Workforce Disability Equality Standard – an easy-read guide

pdf, 9 MB

14. Starting a job – an easy-read guide

pdf, 12 MB

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The toolkit has been developed by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), Ace Anglia and Thinklusive after the partnership was awarded funding by Health Education England. 

The WorkReady Project Team

Some of the films highlight brilliantly people who have successfully gained employment within the NHS. People contributing to society and reaping the personal and financial benefits of proper employment.

Max Clark

Designer at Thinklusive

The resources were co-produced to support and inspire people into work. Work doesn’t just mean having a paid job, it can mean volunteering too.

David Hill

Accessible Information Designer at Ace Anglia

Being part of this co-produced project has been exciting in two ways; to empower people to gain employment which is essential for peoples wellbeing and to enable organisations to support people into employment.

Sue Bridges

Consultant Nurse, Learning Disabilities / Autism at NSFT

It is so important to empower people to realise they can gain employment if they want to work. The easy-read resources are designed to support people to be confident, and prepared, to enter the job market.

Andrea Clark

Manager of Ace Anglia

WorkReady contains tools and guidance to empower people to find the job they want to do. For my own experience it was great to be a part of this project as I learnt a lot, but I hope anyone that uses it in the future will find it beneficial in some way.

Shaun Riceman

Assistant Practitioner at NSFT

I have the determination of making things better for people so that people can live a good, ordinary life.

Karl Butler

Learning Disability Adviser at NHS England and NHS Improvement

I thoroughly enjoyed being part of this project. Being employed has improved my confidence and hope this project will help others gain work.

Paul McCluskey

Peer Support Worker at NSFT