Education, employment and training

Finding a job can feel difficult, but there is lots of support in Stoke-on-Trent to help young people with SEND explore work, build skills, and feel more confident about their future.

Stoke on Trent Young Persons Careers Advice

StokeonTrent Young Persons Careers Advice is an online careers information, advice, and guidance service for young people. It supports those aged 13–18, and up to 25 for Care Leavers or young people with an EHCP.

The service offers help with:

• Career choices, education, and work options
• Job applications and local opportunities
• General careers advice from Digital Careers Advisers

You can visit the website here: https://www.stoke-ypcareers.org/

There are also a SEND specific support offer and a monthly newsletter sharing the latest opportunities.

Website: Homepage - Stoke-on-Trent Young Persons Careers Advice

National Careers Service

Help for all young people with job ideas, skills checks and CV advice:
Careers advice - job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service

Jet‑Ability Stoke

Jet‑Ability supports young people aged 18+ with:

• learning disabilities
• learning difficulties
• autism

For young people who:

• have a social worker referral, or
• completed a supported internship (college referral)

Jet‑Ability offers:

• CV and interview support
• confidence-building‑building
• computer skills
• access to jobs, courses, and volunteering
• support during placements
• regular review sessions

More information:
Email: jet2work@stoke.gov.uk

YES – Youth Employment & Skills

YES works with young people aged 16–24 in Stoke on Trent who are not in education, employment, or training.‑Trent who are not in education, employment,‑ or training.

YES offers:

• one-to-one coaching
• life skills and confidence sessions
• CV and interview help
• job search support
• links to training, work experience, and employers

YES is free, and young people can self-refer.‑

YES website: YES | Stoke | Stoke-on-Trent, UK

Build Confidence Before Applying

Many young people need time and support before they feel ready to apply for a job. There are local programmes that can help. Young people can gain experience through:

• Work tasters
• Volunteering
• Part‑time jobs
• Job coaching

These activities help build confidence and develop important skills for the future. These supports can also lead young people into programmes that help them take their next steps toward work

Shaping Futures – Caudwell Children

Shaping Futures is for neurodivergent young people aged 16–25 (diagnosed, undiagnosed or self-identified). It helps build confidence, life skills, and readiness for work‑. It helps build confidence, life skills, and readiness for work.

The programme includes two free courses:

• Employability
• Life Skills

These courses can help young people move into work experience, volunteering or applying for jobs. Young people can apply themselves or ask a teacher to help.

Contact: employability@caudwellchildren.com or 0345 300 1348
More information: Caudwell Children | Disabled and Neurodivergent Children’s Charity

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way for young people to:

• Build confidence
• Learn new skills
• Try different types of work
• Strengthen their future CV

Volunteering opportunities can be found at:

• VAST Volunteering: Volunteering - VAST | Professional services for voluntary and community groups
• Culture Volunteer (arts and culture): Culture Volunteer North Staffordshire - Stoke Creates
• YMCA Become A Volunteer - YMCA North Staffordshire

Young people can also contact local organisations directly to ask about volunteering opportunities.