Our supported employment service supports people with disabilities and autism into employment and during their employment.

We also help employers create an environment where people with disabilities and autism can work effectively.

We offer supported employment services in York, Greater Manchester, Bradford, Devon and Cornwall. If you live elsewhere you should contact your local council, JobCentre Plus or Citizens Advice Bureau to find supported employment providers in your area. 

How we help people with disabilities and autism into employment

The first thing we do is find out what your skills and interests are. Then we talk about the type of work you might like and be able to do.

If required, we can then develop your skills, through training and a range of tailored resources.

With the groundwork in place, we then match what you tell us you want to do with real job opportunities – in both voluntary and paid employment.

Transcript: Working at John Lewis

Frequently asked questions about supported employment

What if I don’t have any work experience?

You may not have worked before. We can help you to adjust to the changes having a job can bring. We can help you to take responsibility for using transport, getting to work on time and maintaining good working relationships.

As a result, you will gain valuable workplace skills, experience, qualifications and – like many people we support – may get regular paid work. The majority of the people we support into employment tell us that, thanks to the experience, they feel much more confident.

What kind of work can I do?

We support people to do a range of work: paid, full time or part time, work experience, unpaid, voluntary or community.

Get support – United Response Employment Services

We run a number of services around the country that are funded specifically to support people with disabilities and autism into jobs.

There are United Response employment services in York, Greater Manchester, Bradford, Devon and Cornwall.

Even if you do not live in these areas, there may be specialist United Response job coaches near you.

Or help to find work may be something we can build into your support plan. Find out more by making a support enquiry. Contact supported.employment@unitedresponse.org.uk

All of our supported employment services have been awarded the Matrix standard for offering high-quality advice and guidance.

How we work with employers

We support employers to understand the needs of disabled people and autism overcome any potential worries or problems, and gain real benefits.

We would also recommend employers to become Disability Confident certified and can provide advice to support the process of doing this.

UR Consultants

We also employ people with learning disabilities and autism in our social enterprise, UR Consultants.

UR Consultants is a disability consultancy service that helps businesses and other organisations become more inclusive, with accessible information, training and consultancy.