News

City Bridge Trust award grant for employment programme

2nd March 2020

BeyondAutism have received a grant for a sum of £178,400 over the next five years from City Bridge Trust. The funds will be used to establish an employment programme for young adults with autism and additional learning needs.

“Being employed not only ensures a level of independence; in the right job it will raise self-esteem, increase social groups and broaden your own world. We are delighted to receive the grant from City Bridge Trust that will enable us to create a toolkit ensuring that young adults with autism and complex additional needs are able to step onto a career ladder with the right support to be successful.” Tracie Linehan, CEO.

Only 16% of people with autism are in full-time, paid employment, yet 77% of unemployed people polled said they wanted to be in employment (National Autistic Society, 2016).

The programme will focus on developing transferable skills, increasing confidence and building self-belief in their ability to participate in work opportunities. This will result in a person-centred plan for each young adult, that will culminate in supporting them into the workplace. Alongside this we will develop an employment toolkit which will improve employers’ confidence and ability to work with young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder through models of learning, job coaching, reasonable adjustment and knowledge around the Equality Act.

In its first year the programme will support 10 individuals increasing to 25 each year thereafter.

“The work this project will carry out will ensure other services have the tools required to prepare young adults for work, and provide training and guidance for employers about how they can welcome someone with autism into their organisation. With the majority of those with autism and additional learning needs unable to access employment, I’m extremely excited to see the difference this project will make.” David Anthony, Head of Post-19.