Inclusive Employment
Inclusive Employment
ECL’s highly successful Inclusive Employment programme has transformed the lives of hundreds of people with learning disabilities and/or autism in Essex, by supporting them to secure paid employment.
Funded by Essex County Council, it is a free service to candidates aged 18 or over, with a diagnosis of autism or learning disability, and to any employer ready to embrace a diverse workforce.
The scheme is SEQF approved and a 2024 winner of the highly acclaimed MJM achievement award for building diversity and inclusion.
The ECL Inclusive Employment team work closely with both job candidates and employers looking to recruit new talent.
If you are a potential candidate - we will get to know you and together we will complete a vocational profile to establish your skills, experience, and personal employment goals. If you’re not quite ready for paid employment, we will signpost and support you to get additional skills and experience. We will support you through the job application and interview process and then provide on the job coaching for as long as it takes for you to become confident in their role.
For employers - we take time to understand your recruitment needs, match any suitable candidates to vacant roles, and can advise and guide you to make any reasonable adjustments to ensure you get the best experience as an inclusive employer.
The ECL Inclusive Employment programme differs from other supported employment schemes by going beyond initial job matching to supporting the job candidates and employers for as long as it takes for them both to be confident of sustaining a productive and happy, long term employment relationship.
Zach at East of England Co-op
Amy at Perryfields School
David at Marsh Farm
Masie at Hylands School
Ellen at Geek Retreat
Sarah at The Lion Inn
Not only has Maisie gained from this experience, but as an employer, we have gained too, and it's important to give these young adults the opportunity to learn and gain skills for their future.
Before I was nervous and shy and quite scared to even go out of my front door sometimes, but ever since I’ve had the job I’ve come on leaps and bounds.
Candidate information
Discover the support provided to candidates
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Discover the support provided to employers
Employer information
A successful collaboration between ECL and the East of England Coop has resulted in paid employment for many adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. Read below to find out how inclusive employment has benefitted the East of England Co-op as an organisation.
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A successful collaboration between ECL and the East of England Co-op has resulted in paid employment for many adults with learning disabilities and/or autism. One of the successful applicants was Zach.
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ECL is delighted to provide 12 Supported Internships for students with special educational needs based in Essex and Thurrock at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Tilbury.
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A case study describing how a collaboration between Hylands School and ECL's Inclusive Employment team created a perfect employment opportunity for Maisie.
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An inspiring story of how ECL's Inclusive Employment team supported Paul to find fulfilling employment at an Essex primary school
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East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) and ECL have devised a process that will make job applications for roles more accessible for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
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