Education, employment and training
Employment rights and reasonable adjustments
Understanding Employment Rights
Young people with disabilities have legal rights when applying for jobs and while working.
You can read the Equality Act here: Equality Act 2010
Reasonable Adjustments
Employers must make changes to help disabled young people do their job safely and fairly. Examples include:
- special equipment
- extra time in interviews or tests
- flexible hours
- changes to tasks
- ramps or other physical changes
More information:
What reasonable adjustments are - Reasonable adjustments at work - Acas
Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions
Protection From Discrimination
Employers cannot treat a disabled young person unfairly during:
- applications
- interviews
- training or promotion
- pay or conditions
- dismissal or redundancy
Guidance:
Discrimination and the Equality Act 2010 - Discrimination at work - Acas
Disability Confident Employers
Disability Confident employers:
- make job applications more accessible
- remove barriers for disabled applicants
- offer interviews to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria
More information:
Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme - GOV.UK
Access to Work
Access to Work helps disabled young people start or stay in work. It can help pay for:
- specialist equipment
- job coaching‑coaching
- travel support
- communication support
- other adjustments
Learn more:
Ismail from Mencap Explains Why Access to Work is Important - YouTube
If Problems Arise
If a young person does not get the support they need, they can:
- speak to the employer
- get support from ACAS: Acas | Making working life better for everyone in Britain
- ask for further help if needed
Being self-employed
What is ‘self-employed’?
Your young person works for themselves. They might:
- offer a service (e.g., photography)
- sell things they make (e.g., handmade cards)
- freelance — working for different people on different jobs
Opportunities for self-employment
- Being their own boss
- Creating a social enterprise
- Developing a special skill
- Possibly offering jobs to others
What is needed to start a business?
- A business plan – what they want to do and why
- Some start‑up funds
- An idea of who will buy their product or service
- Branding, such as a name, logo, or social media page
Local Business Support
Launch It Stoke‑on‑Trent (Longton Town Hall)
- Website: LAUNCH IT STOKE-ON-TRENT | Business Support for Young Entrepreneurs
- A centre for young entrepreneurs (18–30), offering workspace, training, mentoring, and support.
Stoke‑on‑Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub
- Website: https://stokestaffsgrowthhub.co.uk/
- Free advice and guidance for people wanting to start or grow a business.
- Phone: 0300 111 8002 Stoke on Trent Staffordshire Growth Hub
Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
- Website: https://www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk/
- Provides advice, networking, and business support.
- Phone: 01782 202222 Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
Useful resources
- Starting a business – Scope UK
Starting a business | Disability charity Scope UK - King’s Trust – Start a Business
Free support to start a business | Enterprise programme