Support for young autistic jobseekers

Below is a list of organisations that can help you if you're a young autistic person looking for work.

Neuroinclusive Education Network

If you're a young person seeking employment for the first time, you can find useful advice in the Neuroinclusive Education Network's transition to employment toolkit.

Supported internships

Choices College and the Trafford College Group both offer supported work experience opportunities for young autistic people.

Choices College

Choices College is a specialist college providing personalised educational support. They offer a supported internship course for young adults aged 16 to 24 with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and/or autism.

They provide supported work environments so that you can get real work experience in:

  • NHS healthcare settings
  • local organisations
  • private businesses

Visit the Choices College website to find out more about the application process.

The Trafford College Group

The Trafford College Group offers pre-employment programmes in partnership with:

  • Pure Innovations
  • Trafford General Hospital
  • Trafford Council
  • Stepping Hill Hospital

They provide unique opportunities for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to enhance their employment skills in a real working environment.

Visit the Trafford College Group website to view the requirements and apply.

Pure College

Pure College is a 16 to 19 Specialist Employability College offering pre-employment programmes and supported internships with exceptional paid employment outcomes for students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Placements cover all career sectors.

They offer 3 courses:

  • Ambition for Life (Entry 3 – Level 1 Employability and work placements)
  • Ambition for Work (Level 1 – Level 2 Employability and work placements)
  • Stockport Council Supported Internship (Employability and work placements)

Visit the Pure College website to find out more.

Pure Innovations

Pure Innovations offer supported internships for:

  • young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • those who need additional support and want to gain real work experience
What the programme includes
  • up to one year college course based with an employer
  • classroom learning: employability skills, English, and maths (where appropriate)
  • 70% of time in work placement (unpaid); up to 3 workplace rotations across the year
  • support and guidance from job coaches while on placement and during class sessions
Benefits
  • learn about different work opportunities – try before you buy!
  • increase chances of paid employment
  • build greater independence, confidence and wellbeing
  • grow friendships and community participation
  • develop real workplace skills and self esteem
  • get support from an experienced and knowledgeable team
Referral criteria

You must:

  • have an active EHCP
  • aspire to get a paid job
  • be able to travel to and from the host site
  • live in one of these local authority areas:
    • Manchester
    • Trafford
    • Stockport
    • Salford
How to apply

Apply via the Pure Innovations website.

You can also email Pure Supported Internship team at supportedinternshipenquiries@pureinnovations.co.uk.