Drawing on both her professional expertise and lived experience as an autistic and ADHD adult, Carole discusses the barriers many neurodivergent jobseekers face, from anxiety and self-doubt to misconceptions about what employment can look like. She explains how Durham Enable's person-centred supported employment approach helps people identify their strengths, build confidence, and find roles that genuinely fit their skills, interests, and needs.

The conversation explores the importance of vocational profiling, reasonable adjustments, neuro-inclusive workplaces, and the powerful impact that understanding, trust, and compassion can have on a person's employment journey.

Carole also shares her unique "blossoming" approach, helping people move from feeling closed off and uncertain to recognising their potential and embracing new opportunities.

Whether you are neurodivergent yourself, support someone who is, or are an employer looking to create a more inclusive workplace, this episode offers practical insights, hope, and real-world examples of what becomes possible when people are truly seen, supported, and valued.

Key themes:

• Neurodiversity and employment
• Supported employment and vocational profiling
• Autism and ADHD in the workplace
• Reasonable adjustments and inclusive recruitment
• Building confidence through strengths-based support
• Creating neuro-inclusive employers and workplaces

DurhamEnable Website

Ella shares how her background in Occupational Therapy and her family’s experience of neurodivergence influenced the creation of Eric Knows. She explains how the charity provides personalised learning through its Limitless Potential programme, including industry-recognised AQA certificates, flexible training and pathways towards meaningful employment.

The conversation explores the barriers disabled and neurodivergent people can experience when accessing services, training and work. It also highlights the role of Supported Employment, job coaching, workplace adjustments and employer partnerships in creating opportunities based on people’s strengths and potential.

As an inclusive employer, Ella explains how colleagues with different disabilities and support needs contribute valuable skills and perspectives. Her message to other employers is simple: you do not need to have every answer. Begin with curiosity, respect and an honest conversation.

ERIC KNOWS WEBSITE

DURHAMENABLE WEBSITE

In Part Two of A Day in the Life of a Job Coach, we follow DurhamEnable job coach Laura as she supports Sasha to develop the confidence and skills needed to complete a two-bus journey independently.

The episode explores how travel training is planned, broken into manageable stages and adapted to the individual. Laura explains how she gradually fades support, uses questions to encourage independent thinking and observes how the jobseeker responds before deciding whether they are ready for the next step.

The conversation also considers delays, missing buses, unexpected changes, transport costs, travel passes and emergency planning. It demonstrates how independent travel can build resilience, reduce isolation and open up a wider range of employment and community opportunities.

DurhamEnable Website

In Part One of this special Voices of Supported Employment episode, Bambi follows DurhamEnable job coach Laura as she supports Holly with the final preparations for launching her crochet business.

The episode explores the practical realities of self-employment, including insurance, packaging, postage, pricing, record keeping, equipment and grant funding. It also demonstrates how job coaches break complicated tasks into manageable steps without taking control of the decisions.

Laura discusses the importance of celebrating progress, promoting independence, working with specialist organisations and considering the wider achievements that can influence someone’s employment journey. She also reflects on the planning, flexibility and continued professional learning required to provide effective, person-centred job coaching.

DurhamEnable Website

The team discusses how vocational profiles help job coaches understand an individual’s skills, strengths, interests, routines, support needs and employment aspirations. They explain why the profile is a working, co-produced document rather than a one-off form or tick-box exercise.

Featuring practical examples, the episode explores observation, circles of support, workplace visits, travel, accessible information, disability disclosure and reasonable adjustments. It demonstrates how a detailed, person-centred vocational profile can create the foundation for the right job match.

DurhamEnable Website

They discuss how accessible communication, flexible appointments and person-centred initial assessments can help build trust from the first contact. The conversation covers circles of support, easy-read information, zero rejection, employment motivation, consent, disclosure and supported signposting.

Featuring practical examples from the triage process, this episode demonstrates how meeting people where they are can create a positive introduction to Supported Employment and help each person identify the right next step.

DurhamEnable Website

The team discusses staff learning, continuous professional development, inclusive employment, employer partnerships and the importance of measuring success through real-world impact, not only downloads. They also preview upcoming episodes covering vocational profiling, job coaching, inclusive recruitment, practitioner development and a day in the life of a job coach.

DurhamEnable Website

British Association for Supported Employment

We discuss the significance of Social Role valorisation and the social model of disability, highlighting how these concepts can empower individuals with disabilities.

We also explore the need for career development and progression in employment, advocating for a supportive environment that respects individual choices and promotes growth.

DURHAMENABLE YOU TUBE CHANNEL

DURHAMENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

supported employment, core values, social inclusion, community engagement, employer partnerships, social role valorisation, social model of disability, career development

We explore how these values guide our practice as supported employment professionals and the impact they have on job seekers' experiences in the workplace.

Useful links:

DURHAMENABLE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

DURHAMENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

supported employment, core values, disability inclusion, job coaching, employment rights, zero rejection, job search, individual choice, career aspirations, workplace equality

They explore the importance of building trust and empathy with job seekers, adapting techniques to meet individual needs, and the role of family support in the employment journey.

The conversation also highlights the significance of training, particularly the TSI (Training in Systematic Instruction) approach, and how it informs their work.

Real-life applications of these techniques are shared, along with reflections on the concept of readiness for employment.

USEFUL LINKS:

INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER NETWORK EVENT (JUNE 2025)

DURHAMENABLE YOUTUBE CHANNEL

DURHAMENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

supported employment, job coaching, techniques, trust, adaptability, family support, training, TSI, employment readiness, individual needs

We discuss the importance of building relationships with local businesses, the necessity of job analysis for effective job matching, and the ongoing support required for career development.

There is a strong emphasis on the value of inclusivity, the role of job coaches, and the need for continuous engagement with both job seekers and employers to ensure successful employment outcomes.

INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER NETWORK EVENT (JUNE 2025)

DURHAMENABLE YOU TUBE CHANNEL

DURHAMENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

employer engagement, job matching, in-work support, career development, vocational profiling, supported employment, local businesses, job coaches, inclusivity, training

We highlight the need for accessibility, community engagement, and building trust with job seekers to achieve positive employment outcomes.

The conversation also touches on the significance of understanding roles and responsibilities within the support network and the continuous adaptation of the vocational profile as a working document.

 Useful links:

DURHAMENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

supported employment, job seekers, vocational profiling, action planning, travel training, employment outcomes, community engagement, job coaching, accessibility, independence

She discusses the importance of routine, the role of job coaching, and how building confidence through various courses helped her secure a job she loves at the university.

Tracy emphasizes the significance of believing in oneself and the value of support systems in overcoming obstacles and achieving success

DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

employment, mental health, support, autism, confidence, job coaching, success stories, disability, personal growth, Durham Enable

They explore the concept of job carving, the importance of recognizing individual strengths, and the transformative impact of supportive environments. Megan shares her experiences with various disabilities, her early work challenges, and how she found her place within a Supported Employment service.

The discussion emphasizes the need for advocacy, understanding, and the courage to seek help in navigating employment with disabilities.

⁠DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION⁠

⁠BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)⁠

 supported employment, disabilities, neurodivergence, job carving, accessibility, mental health, employment challenges, personal journey, advocacy, technology

She discusses the importance of resilience, the role of Supported Employment, and the need for businesses to understand and embrace diversity in the workplace.

Alison emphasises that motivation is a key factor in employment success and reflects on her commitment to providing opportunities for those who are often overlooked in the job market.

DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

Supported Employment, Disability Awareness, Resilience, Personal Journey, Inclusive Workplaces, Motivation, Employment Challenges, Business Leadership, Autism, Deafness

LINKS AND RESOURCES

EPISODE 1 TRANSCRIPT

DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION

BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)

supported employment, disability, podcast, personal journey, inclusion, job coaching, transformation, advocacy, education, workplace support

Featuring interviews with DurhamEnable staff, jobseekers, and employers, Voices of Supported Employment celebrates the people and the businesses that have benefited from the support of services like DurhamEnable.

LINKS AND RESOURCES

⁠DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION⁠

⁠BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE)⁠

supported employment, disability, podcast, personal journey, inclusion, job coaching, transformation, advocacy, education, workplace support