Types of work

When your young person with SEND is thinking of getting a job, they may want to consider different types of work.

Full-time work

This is usually 30-40 hours a week. The number of hours is decided by the employer. Exact working hours are decided by the employer to fit in with their business needs. Hours could be during the day or night. 

People who work full-time hours may get benefits such as:

• Paid holiday (sometimes called annual leave)
• Paid sick leave (this is usually for a limited amount of time)
• Health insurance

These benefits may not be offered to people who work part-time hours. Or if your young person is only employed for a short time on a temporary contract.

The number of hours a person works, should make no difference to their chances of promotion. Many people job-share, which means that two people share the hours of a full-time job.

Starting a business

Your young person might want to set up their own business. This is a big step, and not something that many people do when they have just left school or college.

Your young person will need:

• A good business idea
• Enterprise skills
• Advice from experts
• To be prepared to work hard!

Organisations who offer free advice on starting a business can be found in the Norfolk Community Directory

Read a case study and watch a video about someone who had a disability and who set up their own business.

Getting useful experience

The following types of work, are great for a young person with SEND. They can help them:

• Find out about the jobs they like and dislike, and the reasons why
• Understand how skills they learn at school or college, can help them be successful at work
• Find opportunities for paid work
• Have something to add to their CV. Easy read guide about writing a CV
• Get a work reference
• Learn new skills and practise existing skills
• Learn to be more confident
• Lead to new friendships
• Lead to new interests and routines

Part-time jobs and holiday jobs

Part-time and holiday jobs are a great way for your young person to learn about the world of work. 

Part-time and holiday jobs for young people, often don't need a large skill set or much training. They can make a good first job. They are also brilliant to write about in future job applications and talk about at interviews. Your young person will be able to show that they want to work, and that they can be relied upon to turn up. It will give them the advantage over other young people, who have not had any work experience.

Be aware that no child under the age of 13 can be employed. If your child is under statutory school age and wants to work, they must have a work permit and must not work during school hours. Find out more about child employment.

Different types of work experience

Sheltered work experience whilst at school or college

Your young person may be given the chance to do work experience at school or college. Many schools and colleges ask pupils to do work experience, as a first step towards the world of work. This gives them the chance to try out new experiences and new responsibilities. 

Some sheltered work experience examples include:

• Working on reception
• Delivering snacks and drinks to different classrooms
• Taking orders for milk

Employer work experience whilst at school

Some schools allow young people to go out of school on work experience. This is normally for one or two weeks in Year 10. Your young person's school may suggest employers who have provided good work placements in the past. However pupils will usually be expected to arrange their own work experience. If you want to arrange work experience, you can:

• Use the Norfolk Community Directory to find organisations who are part of the Local Offer
• Do a general search online
• Ask family and friends who work in different employment sectors

Work experience after leaving school

If your young person has left school they could try:

• The Prince's Trust 'Get Into' programme for young people age 16-25. It is completely free and doesn't affect Jobseeker's Allowance. Travel costs are also covered.
• Jobcentre Plus offer a work experience opportunity if your young person is 16-24 and receiving Jobseeker's Allowance. Work experience placements usually last between two and eight weeks, for 25-30 hours a week.
• Gaining work experience with New-U Enterprises Ltd in one of their shops

Volunteering

Volunteering is also considered to be work experience. It is a stepping stone to paid employment. The following organisations and resources can help your young person find volunteering opportunities:

• Jobcentre Plus 'Work Together' volunteering programme, can help if your young person is unemployed and looking for work
• Norfolk Industries for Disabled People offers voluntary work experience placements
• Volunteering Matters Match and Mentor project
• Voluntary Norfolk
• Do-it directory of volunteering opportunities
• Norfolk Community Directory lists groups and organisations in Norfolk, who might be able to help