Ways into work

Who we are

Ways into Work helps young people and adults with disabilities, neurodivergence and disadvantage into paid work,  using an evidence based approach called Supported Employment.

Young people and adults with disabilities, neurodivergence and disadvantage are 3 times less likely than anyone else to have a paid job.

This has a huge impact on every aspect of an adult’s life. It is well-evidenced that young people and adults who are unemployed are more likely to live in poverty, lack confidence and self-worth and feel isolated from friends and family.

Depending on the disability you live with, the situation is even worse. Just 1 in 20 adults living with a learning disability and just 3 in 50 adults living with a mental health challenge have a paid job.

The UK faces a huge disability and health employment gap that leaves adults, and their families, stuck, lonely and with little hope for the future, leading to an additional support and care burden on health and social services.

Ways into Work offers 4 interwoven programmes to help:

1. Supported Internships providing work placements for young people with disabilities, neurodivergence and disadvantage to learn the on-the-job practical skills they need to secure paid employment.
2. Support and coaching for young people and adults with disabilities, neurodivergence and disadvantage to find, apply for and secure the right job for them - matching them with the right local employer.
3. Local employer coaching and upskilling so adults with disabilities enter a workplace that understands their specific needs.
4. In-work support, working both with clients and their employer, so those living with a disability, neurodivergence or disadvantage continue to get the benefits of being in work.

Our culture and values

Our culture is one of determination, we'll always to find a way, we don't tolerate unfairness and are passionate about supporting young people and adults with disabilities, neurodivergence and disadvantage (Clients) into employment. And not just any job, but a job that matches their skills, competencies and aspirations. Because getting a job helps make people feel valued, gives them independence and a good quality of life. Adults who work live longer: For every 10% increase in employment, healthy life expectancy increases by a staggering 5 years. Being in work increases both social and financial inclusion, meeting new people and getting paid.

Our Employment Coaches spend much of their time on their own and with their clients, so Team days and social events are important for bringing people together. The quality of our work is very important to us. We prefer finding real, well-matched jobs for our clients to a box-ticking excercise. This is evident in that we are unique in providing an ongoing support service once a client has secured employment. 

We converted from a Community Interest Company (CIC) to a registered charity in May 2024 so we can support more clients. We know that there is much to embrace and understand about becoming charity and that there will be change. We have embarked on a new journey where we need support and input from those with Charity experience and expertise.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

Our aim is to provide a working environment that takes into account the rights of each employee and where colleagues treat each other with respect. Some aspects of our policy are set down in law, but it is our policy to create an inclusive environment regardless of the law.

To achieve an inclusive environment, we aspire to:

Work to increase representation at all levels within the organisation of those with lived experience of disabilities and other barriers to work.

• Ensure that we pay, develop, promote and recruit people based on capabilities and performance with no discrimination related to protected characteristics.

• Treat each other in a respectful manner where everyone feels included and is encouraged to contribute.

• Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve in our employees and trustees.

• Value difference and diversity and the benefits they bring. Any behaviour that undermines this aim is unacceptable and we do not tolerate any form of harassment, bullying or discrimination under any circumstances