young lady with autism working in office of Hylands School, Chelmsford

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.

1190 people supported by Inclusive Employment...

Up to 1st December 2024

...91% of people with a vocational profile have achieved paid employment...

As of 1st December 2024

...491 successful paid employment outcomes

As of 1st December 2024

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.

Young man with autism, working in an East of England store.

Zach at East of England Co-op

Young lady with learning disabilities working as a cleaner at Perryfields Infant School

Amy at Perryfields School

Young man with a learning disability working at a farm park, Marsh Farm.

David at Marsh Farm

young lady with autism working as an admin assistant at Hylands School, Chelmsford

Masie at Hylands School

Young lady with downs syndrome working at gaming cafe, Geek Retreat.

Ellen at Geek Retreat

Young lady with hearing impairment working at pub and restaurant, The Lion Inn

Sarah at The Lion Inn

Find out more

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. 

-Joanne Nyland-Fink, Business Manager, Hylands School, Chelmsford

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.

-Zach Taylor-McCann, previous Inclusive Employment candidate, now employee, East of England Co-op

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Marsh Farm

Inclusive Employment - Marsh Farm's perspective

Marsh Farm is an animal adventure park spread over 30 acres of farmland in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex. Taken over by the Partyman Company in 2013, the Farm has become a top-class attraction which employs around 130 people and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

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Marsh Farm employee

Inclusive Employment - David's perspective

David is a 39-year old an animal fan who loves learning. He had been enjoying volunteering at a local nature reserve before Covid-19 took hold. Once the world reopened, he was keen to regain some of the independence he had lost during the pandemic.

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