Employment Support For Adults

We support people with a range of needs into work and on their employment journey through our EmployAbility service. Our Supported Employment service is for those who are over the age of 18. For younger people under the age of 18, we offer a range of different programmes to support them on their journey into work, which you can read about here.

Our award-winning and nationally recognised Supported Employment support service, EmployAbility, helps to find and sustain work experience, volunteer opportunities and paid work for disabled, neurodivergent and autistic people.

Our team can:

  • Help you to identify your skills and aspirations for work
  • Support you to create a CV and search for jobs
  • Help you prepare for and offer support during interviews
  • Provide you with job coaching and support into work
  • Support with your career development
  • Be there for you and your employer
  • Help you to keep your job by supporting you to manage any challenges at work. This is what we call Keep in Touch (KIT).

What will support look like?

You will be matched with your own dedicated Employment Support Specialist who will meet with you regularly depending on your requirements. They will engage with you and, when needed, your support network, to help you reach your goals and enable you to learn the necessary skills to prepare you for work. Our EmployAbility team are trained to follow best practice in supported employment to help get the best outcome for you. Our ‘Place, Train, Maintain’ approach will help develop skills at every stage of the process.

The EmployAbility Team support employers to create inclusive environments that can support diverse employees by offering them training and support.

Alongside our EmployAbility service, we offer different programmes for those who may not have adult social care support and for those who have not been formally diagnosed. This includes Work Wise and a Local Supported Employment Programme. Contact us to find out more about these programmes. Our EmployAbility service has also received a GOOD rating from the prestigious Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) audit conducted by BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) The audit highlighted several key areas in which Surrey Choices excelled:

“Effective Employer Collaborations: Surrey Choices has cultivated strong partnerships with local businesses and employers who share their vision of promoting inclusivity in the workplace.” Learn more about it here.

Testimonials

Sean

Sean is an extremely talented and qualified Carpenter and Joiner who has had some fabulous work experience in the past.

Unfortunately, Sean lost his jobs due to redundancy so decided to work voluntarily at The Useful Wood Company in Woking whilst looking for a new job.  With Surrey Choices providing some interview practise and liaising with the recruitment company, Sean found himself with three interviews within a week!

He attended the interviews independently and was offered a two-day trial with one of the companies – Stanbrook and Nicholson. Stanbrook and Nicholson are quality joiners and experienced installers of bespoke windows and doors.

Immediately after the trial days, Sean was offered a full-time position with the company which he has already started.

His parents were delighted, his mum said to his Employment Support Specialist , “Claire you have been brilliant – we nearly fainted when Sean told us!” 

Marc

For over a decade, Marc has been an invaluable member of the Argos Crawley team, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his role.

Throughout his employment, he has experienced various changes and challenges, adapting with resilience and unwavering determination. His ability to maintain his work with no breaks in employment is a testament to his commitment and strong work ethic.

In the face of the recent challenges brought by the post-Covid world, he has displayed remarkable resilience and adaptability. As his role underwent changes, he embraced them with confidence, quickly learning new skills and welcoming new managers and colleagues into his professional life.

His ability to build strong and professional relationships has made him an invaluable asset to the Argos team.

Marc – Celebrating Success Award Winner

Find out how we can support you