Our Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership’s (HSCP) Supported Employment Service has been supporting people with autism and/or learning disabilities into paid work for the past 14 years.

The Glasgow Supported Employment Service is a team of job coaches who support people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions to find and keep full time jobs. They recognise that getting a job is important for people with a learning disability / ASC but that finding and keeping one can be difficult to do without support. 

The need for the Supported Employment Service comes from the level of inequality in the workplace, with only 5% of people with learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions in full time employment.

Glasgow Supported Employment Service is also one of the main partners in delivering Project Search, a full-time intensive work experience programme for people aged between 18 to 29 years who have learning disabilities and/or autistic spectrum conditions.

Martin, a young man with learning disabilities, said: “My life looked pretty bleak, like it was going to go nowhere, and then I got into Project Search, which then led to getting in touch with the Supported Employment Service and securing a Modern Apprenticeship. Now, I’ve got a permanent post and my life looks brighter than what it was five years ago.”
The service is delivered on a one-to-one basis with the job coach getting to know about the skills, abilities and aspirations for every client before starting to help the search for the right job. 

This year, over 50 clients have secured employment with the help of the Supported Employment Service. 

Angie Black, Service Manager for the Supported Employment Service, said: “The supported employment model is totally person-centred, and its evidenced as being the most effective way of supporting people with disabilities into employment and keeping them in work. We’re very lucky to work in partnership with other organisations and employers that help our clients achieve the best outcomes and succeed in the world of work.”

Recently, a short video was created to showcase the Supported Employment Service and tell the inspiring story of the clients who have benefitted from taking part in the programme. 

Alistair, a young man with autism and learning disability who has been supported by our Supported Employment Service over the past year, said: “My job coach helped me overcome my worries about the possibility of working in the hospitality sector. I always thought it might be too busy and that I might not cope. I was reassured that with the right training and work experience it was worth looking at.

“I’ve now completed my probation period working at the reception of a busy reception desk. My job coach continues to support me in my career journey where he continues to encourage me and help me sort out my move from benefits into paid work.”

Get in touch
Would you like to know more about Glasgow Support Employment Service? Do you know a young person who would benefit from this programme? 

Please get in touch and find out more:

Glasgow Supported Employment Service
Phone 0141 287 6713
Email supportedemployment@glasgow.gov.uk