Education, employment and training

The Local Offer website provides details of your local colleges and sixth forms.

Local colleges offer a number of courses which can lead to employment. One route is to undertake academic qualifications such as A Levels (Level 3) which are accepted as entry requirements for some jobs or universities.

Another route is to do a vocational (work related) course which can involve fewer exam assessments for instance; engineering, business administration, accountancy, catering or childcare. Vocational courses can be offered from Level 1 - Level 3 depending on your previous qualifications gained at school and can provide the opportunity to hone in on one subject area of interest as well as gaining practical industry-related experience.

Sixth Forms mainly offer A Levels (Level 3) courses and Further Education Colleges offer vocational courses (Level 1-3) with some offering A Levels as well.

Courses delivered from College Supported Learning departments (such as City of Westminster Maida Vale  https://www.cwc.ac.uk/courses/section/supported-learning) offer courses from pre-entry level to Entry 3 which aim to support independent living, preparation for adulthood and employment.

Whichever educational pathway a young person is on, it is useful to gain some work experience alongside to help gain the skills for their next step after education, whether that is to progress onto a supported internship, apprenticeship, job or university. T Levels are Level 3 vocational courses equivalent to three A Levels which combine academic learning and substantial experience in the industry with a 45-day work placement. Access courses are Level 3 courses condensed into one year and provide a pathway into University for adult learners aged 19+.

Information on courses, timescales for applying for University and entry requirements can found on the UCAS website. 

Colleges are expected to meet the needs of any of their learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The way that this support is offered and how it is paid for can vary between colleges. Information for how local colleges meet support needs, please download our Therapy, Nursing and Personal Care in Colleges document.

Higher Education is a course of study from Level 4 (Foundation Degree) and Level 5 Undergraduate degree (also known as a Bachelors degree or Honours degree). Some of our local colleges offer Foundation Degrees or Higher National Certificate (HNC) which is a Level 4 course and Higher National Diploma (HND) a Level 5.

Information on courses and entry requirements can be found on the UCAS website.

For information on what support might be available to help you going to university if you have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), please click here.

Supported Internships are specialist work-based training programmes for young people aged 16-25 with SEND who want to get a paid job.

Supported Internships are Level 1 programmes and enable young people to learn in the workplace by trying out three different work placements over the course of a year with job coaching support.

Supported Internships are usually the final step in education when young people are now ready to take their next step in adulthood. The ultimate aim of a supported internship is to support young people into person-centred, sustainable jobs. On-going support is offered to residents by Westminster Employment.

Westminster City Council delivers a supported internship in partnership with City of Westminster College. More information can be found here.

Kensington and Chelsea Council also offer a supported internship with Morley College.

For further information about supported internships in the region, including Goldman Sachs programme and Charing Cross Hospital programme, and Fairshot Cafe programme with Mencap, find a summary of our local Supported Internship / Supported Employment programmes here.

You can download the  Guide to Supported Internships leaflet for more information about what Supported Internships involve and whether they might be right for you. 

Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes which start at Level 2 and go up to degree level. This training pathway gives you the opportunity to achieve a recognised industry qualification whilst developing work related skills in the workplace and earn a salary.

Entry requirements vary depending on the employer and training provider however these are often similar to college courses at the equivalent level. If you do not have the entry requirements for an apprenticeship, a Level 1 Supported Internship might be an alternative route into employment better suited to you.

Apprenticeship vacancies can be found on the National Apprenticeship website.

For support to find an apprenticeship and apply, you can refer yourself to Westminster Employment Service (ages 16+) or Westminster Employment (ages 18+) where an employment coach will help you throughout the application process and provide any in-work support you might need to be successful on your apprenticeship. 

Gaining some voluntary work can enhance your CV and enable you to try out different roles which might help you decide which kind of career you want to take. It can also provide valuable experience to share during apprenticeship or job applications and in an interview.

For support to gain some volunteering experience, you can visit the pages below.

Kensington and Chelsea Volunteer Centre

One Westminster - Charity and volunteering work

Westminster Employment (WE*)

Volunteer Centre Kensington and Chelsea - Supported Access programme

Self-employment/micro enterprises

There may be a number of reasons for choosing to become self-employed. You may have an idea for your own business, you may want to work in an environment which you can adjust to suit your needs or self-employment may be the best way of arranging a job around your skills. Setting up your own business can seem daunting and it is hard work but it can also be very rewarding and there are organisations that can offer help, guidance and financial support in the form of grants or loans.

One useful point of contact if you’re considering self-employment is the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your local Jobcentre Plus office. They can help you decide whether self-employment is a viable option and help you find sources of funding and support.

Disabled Entrepreneurs' Network

The Association of Disabled Professionals website aims to provide networking opportunities and share good practice for self-employed disabled people and those setting up their own businesses.

For more information about local initiatives supporting entrepreneurs seek advice from Westminster Employment.

The Enterprise Allowance will give people getting Jobseeker’s Allowance access to business mentoring and a financial package. This includes a weekly allowance payable over 26 weeks’ worth up to £1,274, allowing you to establish your business and cash flow. You can also get a low cost loan to help with start-up costs.

You might be able to take part in the New Enterprise Allowance if you’re aged 18 and over and have been claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance for three months or more and you have a viable business idea. More information can be found on the GOV.UK website

There a number of organisations available to offer advice and support to people looking for employment in addition to the organisations listed above.

Balance

Balance are an employment support service for people who have a learning, physical or sensory disability and live in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

We support people to achieve their professional goals, helping them to engage into volunteer experiences, work experiences or paid employment.

Mencap - Genius Within Employability Programme

Employ Me: helps 16-24 year olds with Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD etc.. offering 1:1 coaching , support and group sessions to help young people get into employment or training. More info can be found in the leaflets in the downloads section. To refer, please complete the referral form which can be found in the downloads.

Able2: helps 16-24 year olds with physical disabilities or long-term health conditions to achieve their employment, education and training goals. aged 16-24, who have a physical disability or long-term health condition. To refer, please email [email protected]

Job Centre Plus – Disability Employment Adviser 

This service can give help and advice to claimants looking for a job.

Employment agencies –

help employers recruit staff to temporary and permanent vacancies they have. 

Some people may be entitled to in work benefits or support via Access to Work. Find more information about the Access to Work fund on the Preparing for Adulthood website.

Here are some docuements which you may find useful:

• Abel2 Presentation
• Abel2 2 Project Flyer
• Abel2 Third Party Referral form

Action West London

Action West London delivers a number of projects which supports unemployed local people into Employment, Education or Enterprise from a wide range of backgrounds. This includes, NEET young people, including those with disabilities or emotional needs, ex offenders, refugees, BAME Women and other unemployed groups. People using the service receive support from a Personal Advisor who provides information, advice and guidance including:

• Confidence-building activities

• Life skills support

• Employability skills training

• Access to meaningful work experience, volunteering and links to local employment and training opportunities.

The service is provided through a mix of one-to-one and group support.

Here are some docuements which you may find useful:

• Action West London Service Brochure

For accessible one-to-one careers advice sessions for 15-25 year olds, you can use Scope Career Pathways. Visit the website here.

The National Autistic Society offers an Autism At Work programme supporting Autistic people into sustainable jobs.

The below video explains what Personal Budgets are and how to use them.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provide some financial support.

A disability employment advisor (DEA) offers support and advice to people with disabilities and their families. In particular, they help people with disabilities get access to job-related resources, services, and accommodations. 

You can find a disability employability advisor in your local job centre. Find your job centre here.

The Access to Work programme can also support with funding. 

Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.

The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

• a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
• support with managing your mental health at work
• money to pay for communication support at job interviews

Find more information on the Access to Work Programme here.