SEND Employer Champions

How to Sign up

Employers who are interested in finding out more about the scheme and being part of it can contact west.cc@wiltshire.gov.uk and 01225 718004

One of our dedicated team will come to you and have an honest discussion about how we could work together to create opportunities at your business.

1. Host workplace visits for our interns or young people taking their first steps into the employment world

2. Provide job descriptions for the entry level jobs within the business so interns can realistically evaluate their skills against real jobs
3. Facilitated mock interviews and valuable advice on interview expectations

1. Be a host employer for at least one intern for 12-16 weeks as part of their academic programme

2. Give support and encouragement within the workplace for the intern to learn a particular role
3. Provided an honest reference of the intern ability in the workplace

1. As the Silver Award, plus; Been a host employer for at least two years, with at least one intern from each cohort

2. Or . . . . Offered a job as a result of the intern working interview for 16 hours per week on a minimum 6-month contract 

1. This employer has been supporting interns for over 3 years as a host, offering real employment outcomes

2. Sharing experiences with other employers
3. Attending events to promote Supported Internships and ways into work, to engage young people, being positive about the benefits of work 

1. This is not specific to Supported Internships, but rather those employers working with the wider WEST team of job coaches and older customers
2. These employers have employed a number of our customers over several years
3. They work as a team with the job coaches to make supported employment a success in their business 

Information will be published here in Autumn 2024.

Support for employers

We have a team of experience job coaches across Wiltshire who are available to you. You will have a continuous point of contact for any questions or support needs. Our main focus will be getting to know you and your business, so you are comfortable at every stage.

We can offer awareness training to you and your team that will help colleagues and managers feel confident in managing and working alongside one of our customers and how to get the best from people.

We will showcase your business through the Wiltshire council website, local offer page dedicated to SEND Employer Champions Hall of Fame, social media channels and by word of mouth through our team.

The SEND Employer Champion scheme come with a virtual website logo and email signature tag to showcase your involvement and inclusivity. There will be certificates for your workplace that will be recognised by your customers, and you will be invited to a celebration event that brings together employers and their SEND employees, interns and stakeholders to say thank you and share good news. Recognising employers for the great work they do.

Wiltshire Employment Support Team has been supporting young people and adults into work and building strong relationships with our Wiltshire employers since 2005. We are confident we can work with any business in a way that works for you.