Supported work experience at Early Years

At BeyondAutism, we believe that supported work experiences can provide essential skills that can help young people secure employment and contribute meaningfully to their communities. In September, we welcomed Hope and her Job Coach, Kim, through the Higher Needs Supported Internship Programme (HNSIP) from Bromley Mencap and London South East Colleges.

Hope describes herself as a beautiful and proud autistic woman who has Down Syndrome. This academic year, Hope and Kim join us each week at BeyondAutism Early Years, to help our team and families while Hope builds her skills and confidence.

Meet Hope…

Hope is a vibrant young woman who finds joy in connecting with those around her. It is her “outgoing and chatty personality that has helped her settle in well at BeyondAutism Early Years,” according to her job coach Kim. Family is central to Hope’s world, and her close relationship with her dad, Mark, holds a special place in her heart.

It is Hope’s dream to, one day, do a sponsored football match with West Ham Football Club to raise funds for the UK Down Syndrome Association. Her interest in charity fundraising coupled with her warm connections and love of learning made her the perfect fit for the service.

Hope’s Work Experience at Early Years

Hope’s journey at Early Years is all about developing her skills and independence, with guidance from her Job Coach Kim, Head of Early Years Marta Martin Perteguer, and Early Years Lead Coordinator Xuan Kastrati. Twice a week, she actively participates in tasks that range from preparing drinks for parents and assisting with office tasks to helping keep the centre clean and tidy for the families. This hands-on experience directly supports Hope’s goals of building confidence, connecting with children through learning new signs, and mastering essential job skills. Her focus areas include engaging and communicating with parents, developing practical office skills like photocopying and filing, and enhancing her independent living abilities through managing snack times and handling kitchen duties.

While reflecting on her progress, Xuan, the Early Years Lead Coordinator, shared, “Hope is a star! She’s patient, friendly, positive, and proactive, never giving up on tasks she finds challenging. I’m excited to see all that she will achieve by the end of this academic year.”

We had a little chat with Hope and here’s what she had to say:

How was it when you first started at early Years?

When I first started, I was worried that the parents at BeyondAutism Early Years won’t like me because I look different, but all the parents are really nice. They all say hello to me and I’m like wow!

What is the most interesting part of the work experience?

The kids! I really like playing with the kids, it makes them happy.

She went on further to say, “My dad is my closest friend and biggest supporter, and making my family proud means everything to me, especially because autism holds such a deep personal significance in my life.”

Marta, Head of Early Years also remarked, “Hope is gaining confidence every day. Her uniqueness and perseverance inspire us all. Creating her own timetable was one of her first tasks, and it’s amazing to see her using it to stay on track with Kim’s support. We look forward to seeing Hope’s achievements by June 2025.”

Looking Ahead

At BeyondAutism, we’re excited to continue exploring Hope’s future employment interests and support her in acquiring relevant new skills. We’ll work closely with her, reviewing her progress and adjusting goals as needed. This is just the beginning of Hope’s journey, and we look forward to sharing her progress with you at the end of the academic year!

If you’d like to find out more about how you can make your workplace more inclusive for placements such as these, download our employability toolkit or sign up for our employability training!