COVID-19:
Getting a job
Support available
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)/Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- If you’re under 16, apply for Disability Living Allowance (external link)
- If you’re over 16, apply for Personal Independence Payment (external link)
When you get a letter confirming you are in receipt of the above - always take a photo of it. You will need an electronic copy handy to email to various places!
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
If you are over the age of 18, you may also be able to claim Employment Support Allowance. This is for young people who have a disability and who are unable to work, or who are in need of support to enable them to work by the Department for Work and Pensions. You will have a work capability assessment to see if you are eligible, and what type of additional support you will need.
The quickest way to apply for Employment and Support Allowance is by calling 0800 055 6688 (Textphone: 0800 023 4888).
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) on GOV.UK (external link).
Supported Internships
These are study programmes for young people aged 16-24 with a Statement of SEN or an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Supported Internships are unpaid and offer between six months to one year of classroom and work based learning at with an employer. This prepares young people for employment and may lead to work with the employer. Young people may receive a relevant qualification at the end of the programme.
- For more information contact North Middlesex Hospital Project Search (Tottenham Hotspur Foundation) by email: foundation@tottenhamhotspur.com or by phone: 020 8365 5138
From September 2019 College of North East London will offer placements in a variety of roles including porters, administration, handling clinical instruments and catering in hospital settings at North Middlesex hospital.
- Contact: 020 8442 3055 or email courseinfo@conel.ac.uk
CareTrade UK (external link) - offers placements in administration in a hospital setting.
- Contact number is: 020 7060 5706
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to work for a real employer, earn a real salary and gain a recognised qualification whilst gaining valuable workplace skills and experience.
Anyone living in England, over 16 years old and not in full-time education can apply to be an apprentice (external link).
For more information visit:
Traineeships
Traineeships provide a mixture of learning and work experience for young people aged 16-25 who may not be sure what they want to do, or whether they have the skills and understanding that employers might be asking for. Many colleges and training providers offer a range of traineeships or supported internships and mentoring.
Supported Employment
A number of organisations in the borough offer supported employment placements for young people with special educational needs or disabilities aged 16-25 years. They also offer information, advice and guidance on a range of issues, including supported internships or careers advice:
- my AFK (previously Action For Kids): information on how to join the Employment Support Programmes (external link)
- Ability House, 15A Tottenham Lane, Hornsey N8 9DJ - call on 020 8347 8111 or text on 07949 245 131
- Mencap - Interns and Outcomes Programme: see the Mencap website (external link) or email mark.capper@mencap.org.uk | call 07984 391 613
- Tottenham Hotspur Foundation: email: foundation@tottenhamhotspur.com or tel 020 8365 5138
- Harington: Offer structured study programmes that can lead to paid employment or volunteering as well as a recognised qualification
- See the Harington website (external link) for more information or call 020 3457 7989
You can call or contact them directly. If you have an education health and care plan, you can ask your SEN officer to send on your plan to the organisation to help them understand your needs better, and show your strengths and areas you might find challenging.
Further information for young people in Haringey is available on the Youth Space website.
Adult Employment and Learning Advisers
The council also has a team of Adult Employment and Learning Advisers who are professionally qualified to:
- Help adults at any stage in their lives, to make the right choices about skills, careers, and qualifications
- Support all learners on a Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS) course to help them get the best out of their course, and plan what they want to do after their course
There is more information on the HALS pages.
Work
If you have an education health and care plan, you can ask your SEN officer to send on your plan to the organisation to help them understand your needs better, and show your strengths and areas you might find challenging.
Further information for young people in Haringey is available on the Youth Space website.
Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS)
The council also has a team of Adult Employment and Learning Advisers who are professionally qualified to:
- Help adults at any stage in their lives, to make the right choices about skills, careers, and qualifications
- Support all learners on a Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS) course to help them get the best out of their course, and plan what they want to do after their course
More information is available on the HALS Learner Support pages.
Job Centre Plus
The Job Centre Plus network (external link) can also help young people and adults of all ages find work as well as advice on what benefits are available while job search is taking. Job Centre Plus Disability Employment Advisers can offer additional advice and guidance for people with learning difficulties or disabilities.
This includes:
- Help to decide what type of work or training suits you best
- Specialist assessment with a work psychologist to help you prepare to find and stay in work
- A job-matching and referral service
People aged 18 and over may be able to participate in the Work and Health Programme which supports people with disabilities and provides one to one support from a health professional.
You can contact Job Centre Plus on 0845 604 3719 or by textphone on 0845 608 8551.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service provides face to face, online and telephone advice and guidance to support your career planning. See the National Careers Service website (external link) for more information and a range of online tools and support.
