Kent supported employment

The Kent Supported Employment Service can help you to find employment that is right for you and your needs.

They work with young adults with special educational needs and disabilities to encourage and support you to grow your skills and confidence.

To access Kent Supported Employment Service you must:

  • be aged 16 or above
  • live in Kent
  • have additional barriers to finding a job because of your disability or health condition
  • want to look to find paid work.

They can support you whether you have an EHC plan or not. If you do have an EHC plan then you may still be able to access funding from your plan depending on the type of job you get.

Available support

You will work with an employment support officer (ESO) who will help you to plan what you need to do, and find out what the best route to work is for you. This may be through work experience, a supported internship, an apprenticeship, volunteering or other paid work.

The ESO will also help you to:

  • understand the skills that you have, so that they can be used in the workplace
  • find out the type of job you might like to do
  • write a professional CV
  • apply for jobs
  • practice interviews
  • talk to employers about your disability, and provide specialist training around how they can support you at work
  • learn skills you need for work
  • travel independently to school, college, or work.

The support is there for as long as you need it, but once you feel happy and confident at work, the ESO support will gradually be removed. However, you can contact them if at any time you need additional support again.

Our employment journey

Watch our videos to find out how these young adults have been helped by the Kent Supported Employment Service:

Contact the service