frequently asked questions
Some answers to common questions from employers
What are the benefits for my company?
A committed employee, statistically likely to stay in post for much longer than someone without a learning disability. You will also be illustrating your company’s social impact, which can help when tendering for contracts. Through Minstead Trust we also have a full marketing team who will help publicise your role in the scheme to local press and to our 35,000 strong digital audience.
Due to grant funding we are currently able to offer some areas of support without charge at the moment – just get in touch for more information.
I don’t know if I have a suitable role to offer, how can you help?
Our employability team will work with you and your business to scope and carve a potential role. Very often our graduates have unique interests and talents that can improve operations.
Is this a big commitment?
It does not need to be. Hosting a training placements can start from as little as one day a week and employing someone with a learning disability displays its benefits straight away, also we are here to support you and your new employee throughout.
Do the people you are placing have high disability needs?
No – the candidates have a range of disabilities and in most cases they are extremely capable and just require a few minor adjustments for them to be able to do a good job.
Do you offer advice on how to best interact with people with learning disabilities?
We are available to give advice and support from initial contact all the way through the placement or employment. We can also help with access to disability awareness training for you and your staff. We also provide mentors on-site to help new starters transition into their new role.
I am a small business, that currently cannot employ anyone else? Can I still help?
Yes! Many of our participants need real –world experience to back up their classroom learning. We are always looking for businesses to host volunteer training placements, we encourage you to let them learn from you and help grow your business, hopefully to a point where you can offer them paid work in the future.
What is your experience in learning disability employment?
Empowering Employment is part of Minstead Trust – a charity that supports more than 320 people with learning disabilities along the south coast of England.
The Trust has been supporting people for almost 40 years, but began its employability work in earnest in 2017. Its successful Step Up For Work programme offered learners a structured work skills training pathway with work experience opportunities at the end.
In the last five years our employment work has expanded significantly to work in partnership with other organisations to offer supported internships, apprenticeships and job coaching.
In 2024 Empowering Employment was born, to give even more prominence to this crucial employment support work and ensure we can help even more people into rewarding and life-enhancing employment.
contact us
Find out more about our services for employers or job seekers with a friendly initial chat with one of our employment experts.