Supported employment is a way of helping people into paid work, who would otherwise experience difficulties owing to a disability as defined under the Disability Discrimination Act (1995), or carers, as defined by the national carers strategy. It is also about helping employers to support such people in work.

Starting work or returning to work can be difficult and stressful. We believe that at the heart of supported employment is the principle that employment is achievable for everyone as long as the right support is in place. Our main goal is to enable people to secure sustainable employment.

We have supported people to achieve personal goals which have ranged from accessing voluntary work; attending further education courses via North Yorkshire County Council's adult learning service and local colleges; and progressing through a combination of these into paid employment.

We have information and advice to help jobseekers, employees and employers. You can also find links below to a range of organisations that provide support in finding employment.

Support for people looking for work

If you are looking for work, highly trained and experienced supported employment staff will work in partnership with you to:

• identify your current skills;
• highlight any education or training needs;
• search for jobs;
• help you apply for jobs;
• provide support at your interview if necessary;
• link with employers;
• provide work related benefit information; and
• signpost to other specialist agencies such as a disability employment adviser at Jobcentre Plus

We will help you create a customised employment plan that will recognise your strengths and abilities as well as areas of vocational interest or expertise.

For more information on how we can help you find work, see the help with finding a job page.

Support for employees

Once you are in work we can continue to offer you help and support. The support is tailored to your individual needs and can take various forms, including: ongoing support and advice; education or training; providing specialist equipment; or a long-term support package.

Over the last decade, throughout North Yorkshire, supported employment services has enabled over 1,000 people with disabilities to develop their work skills.

For more information on how we can support you in work, see the help and support in work page.

Support for employers

If you want to employ someone with a disability or illness, we can help you to find the right people for your job vacancies. We can also provide disability awareness training for local businesses; links to Jobcentre Plus; and links to local training, education and Workstep providers.

For more information about employing people with a disability or illness, or who need extra support at work, see the support for employers page.

Please note, we are not an employment agency, we can't advertise jobs for employers. We work with individuals to help find the right job for them.

Applying for supported employment services

You can ring any of the numbers found below or on the back of our leaflets. We have offices across the County where staff are happy to offer advice on local employment opportunities.

If you require more intense support to find work then a referral needs to be made, usually through a care manager or the customer service centre, but supported employment staff can advise you of this if you ring one of our offices.

Supported employment offices in your area

We provide supported employment services to the Harrogate, Malton, Northallerton, Scarborough, Selby and Skipton areas. You can find a list of offices in these areas below. Each page also contains details of some of the success stories from each office, to give an idea about the type of support that can be provided.

Useful downloads Calling all employers [175kb] Find out more information about how supported employment services can help you as an employer. Supported employment services leaflet for jobseekers [157kb] A leaflet aimed at people with a learning disability, physical or sensory impairment which gives information on what the service can offer to the jobseeker, and contact details for offices within North Yorkshire.   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window. North Yorkshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) BASE represents agencies across the UK, who provide specialist assistance to disabled jobseekers and employers. They can provide a range of information for employers as well as contact details of support agencies throughout the country. Connexions Connexions is the Government's support service for all young people aged 13 to 19 in England (up to the age of 25 with special needs). The service provides advice, guidance and access to personal development opportunities for young people. Directgov A Government website that gives information on many subjects including employment legislation, flexible working rights, maternity and paternity rights and information about the national minimum wage. Directgov - helping you into work At different times in your life you may need extra advice and support to help you into work. Whether you are a lone parent, disabled, leaving school or college, over 50, or simply out of work, there's practical help available. Directgov - new deal Find out about New Deal, including the 'Flexible New Deal' programme. Jobcentre Plus offers help for unemployed people, particularly those who have been unemployed for a long time, people with disabilities and anyone in need of extra help to find work. Employers' forum on disability The Employers' Forum on Disability is the world's leading employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects business. Information about how EFD can make it easier to recruit and retain disabled employees and to serve disabled customers. Equality and Human Rights Commission The Equality and Human Rights Commission has a wide range of information about employing people with disabilities. Health and Safety Executive The Health and Safety Executive's website provides all the latest health and safety information and guidance. UK Commission for Employment Skills The aim of UK Commission for Employment Skills is to benefit employers, individuals and government by advising how an improved employment and skills system can create a fair and inclusive society. Valuing People Now Valuing People Now is the Government's plan for making the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families better. Disabled people - employment and training schemes - frequently asked questions How can the supported employment service help me find a job? If I have a job, what support can the supported employment service provide? What support can employers expect from the supported employment service? Contacts Customer services centre (social care enquiries) Full contact details for the customer services centre, including how to call in personally, can be found below. social.care@northyorks.gov.uk Tel: 0845 034 9410 Fax: 01609 532009 Full details for Customer services centre (social care enquiries) Supported employment services - Harrogate This page contains information about supported employment services in the Harrogate area. Please contact us at the number below for an informal, no obligation chat. Tel: 0845 3007451 Full details for Supported employment services - Harrogate Supported employment services - Malton This page contains information about supported employment services in the Malton area. Please contact us at the number below for an informal, no obligation chat. Tel: 01609 536055 Fax: 01609 536056 Full details for Supported employment services - Malton Supported employment services - Northallerton This page contains information about supported employment services in the Northallerton area. Please contact us at the number below for an informal, no obligation chat. Tel: 01609 535335 Fax: 01609 772610 Full details for Supported employment services - Northallerton Supported employment services - Scarborough This page contains information about supported employment services in the Scarborough area. Please contact us at the number below for an informal, no obligation chat. Tel: 0845 034 9564 Fax: 01723 373278 Full details for Supported employment services - Scarborough Selby and district supported employment service This page contains information about supported employment services in the Selby area. Please contact us at the number below for an informal, no obligation chat. Tel: 01609 535950 / 51 Full details for Selby and district supported employment service Supported employment services - Skipton This page contains information about supported employment services in the Skipton area. Please contact us at the number below for an informal, no obligation chat. Tel: 01756 748671 Full details for Supported employment services - Skipton