United Kingdom
Working With Disability
By Action For Kids Charitable Trust
Registered Charity
Registered Charity
Executive Summary
Young people with special educational needs & disabilities face huge employment inequalities. Of the UK’s 1.4m learning disabled people, just 6% are in paid work. 16-18 year-olds are at least twice as likely as non-disabled to be not in education employment or training and by 26, four times more likely to be unemployed. We look at barriers and deliver training & opportunities to increase skills and aspirations so work is a real option. We consider individual skills, preferences and learning style and work together to fill the gaps in their CV, source relevant placements and help with finding and staying in work. We support the employer and employee and have negotiated working interviews for those ready to fill a vacancy but perhaps unable to ‘pass’ an initial application process. Covid19 forced us to close our centre. Roles & placements we worked to enable were put on hold, but it’s critical to maintain momentum and skills and continue services so we moved to virtual mode.
Impact Indicators
People: Social Impact
Number of Lives Impacted:
75
Gender:
Female, Male
Age:
12-17, 18-25
Employment Status:
Unemployed
Accessibility:
Disabled
Location:
Urban
Planet: Environmental Impact
Land:
-
Water:
-
Air:
-
Topic and Activity Grid
Topics
Employment |
Children & Youth |
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Advocacy |
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Catalysing |
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Convening |
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Goods Provision |
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Infrastructure Provision |
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Services Provision |
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Research & Development |
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Raising Awareness |
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Training |
Geography
Country:
United Kingdom
Project Outcome Indicators
Short Term:
— Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) improve their employability skills.
By the end of July 2022 60 young people with SEND will have taken part in at least one employability training project.
— Young people with SEND engage with external employers
By the end of July 2022 35 young people with SEND will gain skills and confidence and improve their aspirations through undertaking external work placements.
— Young people with SEND gain a paid or volunteering role
By the end of July 2022 18 young people with SEND will gain paid work and a further 10 will move into regular volunteering
— Young people with SEND gain the knowledge and confidence to travel independently
By the end of July 2022 15 young people will learn to travel independently.
— Improve employers confidence to employ disabled people
AFK to deliver training for 50 employees from at least 6 organisations by the end of July 2022.
Long Term:
— Support more young people in a wider geographical location by delivering online training
AFK will carry out a feasibility study to determine need in other London boroughs and offer support where necessary.
— Raise awareness and collaborate with more employers
We will continue to source and support employers in a range of sectors in order to gain training and employment for young people with SEND.
— Raise awareness and support more educators and organisations
AFK will present at regional and national events to promote our services.
Activities:
a) Maintain/grow employability support for disabled young people Online job coaching & employer sessions e.g. mock interviews, CV clinics, digital / presentation skills. Employer access is integral to fill a gap in statutory delivery, providing sought after valuable work experience, enabling clients to be work ready and develop skills & traits employers value. We’re committed to keeping employability at the forefront of services so young people don’t lose heart or momentum and to drive workplace diversity & inclusion on the agenda post-pandemic. b) Practical and emotional support for disabled children, young people and families Closure of schools and removal of care, activities and support networks is a catastrophe. The Lancet lists this group as highly vulnerable & to experience a profound impact on mental health during and post-pandemic. We are delivering online activities and opportunities to socialise and share experiences with peers, to alleviate isolation and loneliness and improve mental health. Experienced staff are available as needed and for regular 1-2-1 check-ins. c) Employer / disabled employee advocacy We facilitate and support employer / furloughed employee dialogue and advocate for those in frontline work who need additional support & guidance. Wider reach and improved digital offer were mid / long-term strategic goals but are now a reality. We can now achieve these strategic goals and help more people during the crisis and beyond.
Partnership
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Company:
Microsoft
Website:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/education?icid=CNavMSCOML0_Studentsandeducation
Updates
UPDATE #1 | 3 years ago
AFK grows reach by developing a hybrid model of service delivery
As we move away from strict lockdown periods students have returned to the training centre and have started to experience face to face training, interviews and supported employment.
It is our aim to deliver all of our regular face to face work but to also assess need in other locations and with other organisations and to provide virtual job coaching where there is demand.
Project Budget:
£32,710
4 Funders supported this project
(54%)
Do you have any questions about the project?
Request for more informationTimeline:
2022-07-01
Direct Commitment Ratio:
76.8%
Project to Org. Size Ratio:
1.62%
Needs Intensity Meter
Global intensity meter
In-country intensity meter
How does this work?
SDGs
Goal 1: No Poverty
This goal focuses on the poor and vulnerable, and aims to: reduce the population living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions, build a policy environment that is supportive of the poor and vulnerable, ensure that the poor and vulnerable have equal rights to economic resources and basic services, land & property, and reduce their exposure to the risks of economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
This goal focuses on all areas of food access, nutrition, agricultural productivity, sustainable production and consumption systems, and fostering a resilient ecosystem to shocks and disasters by promoting the diversity of crops. In addition it promotes investment in rural infrastructure, makes a commitment to addressing trade issues, and to oversee a functioning food commodity market.
Goal 3: Good Health And Wellbeing
This goal covers all aspects of health and wellbeing from infant mortality to effective service provision to those suffering from substance addiction. There are special commitments to ensuring access to affordable healthcare, the development of disease treatment, cure and prevention, and to strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction and management of global health risks.
Goal 4: Quality Education
This goal seeks parity in access to education. There is specific focus on areas of early years development, and throughout the educational landscape, from literacy and numeracy to technical and tertiary education. There is a specific mention of upgrading educational infrastructure to be fully inclusive in terms of gender, disability and culture, offering bursaries and scholarships to address imbalances, and also to ensure high quality training and supply of educators.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
This goal seeks to end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. There is a specific focus on violence, trafficking and other types of exploitation, as well as a recognition of unpaid care work, provision of basic public services, and full reproductive and sexual rights. In the spirit of equality of access and opportunity, there is a workplace leadership and economic element, as well as the creation of an empowering policy environment for women and girls at all levels.
Goal 6: Clean Water And Sanitation
This goal champions universal and equitable access to water and sanitation for all people. There is an element around hygiene promotion, efficiency of use, championing the building and maintenance of appropriate infrastructure and technologies, and building strong international partnerships to ensure equality and sustainability of water and sanitation services worldwide.
Goal 7: Affordable And Clean Energy
This goal focuses on access to energy in a way that is modern, affordable, sustainable and reliable. There is also a commitment to promote and expand the share of energy production by renewable means, championing research and investment into energy efficiency and technologies, and ensuring that the infrastructure and technology has the capacity to support these aims, especially in developing countries.
Goal 8: Decent Work And Economic Growth
This goal covers all aspects of sustainable economic growth and providing full and productive, decent work for all people. The goal is progressive in its promotion of development-oriented policies around entrepreneurship and job creation, resource efficiency, and an end to forced labour and slavery. There’s also a special consideration to reducing the unbanked population, and promoting an integrated strategy around the future of work and the employment of young people.
Goal 9: Industry Innovation And Infrastructure
This goal supports the building of infrastructure and innovations to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation. The focus is on equality of access to economic development within countries, regions and across borders. There is specific promotion of research and development of technologies both in country and cross-border, and in turn increase access to connectivity, information and communication through access to the internet.
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
This goal seeks to reduce inequality within and among countries, in terms of economic, social, and political inclusion. There is a commitment to achieve and sustain the income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than a national average, reduce and eliminate discriminatory laws and practices, monitor international financial markets, encourage development assistance and financial flows, from nation states to individuals in the form of remittances.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities And Communities
This goal pertains to the urban environment in terms of safety, sustainability, respect for heritage, environmental considerations, and the connectivity between urban, peri-urban and rural settlements and areas. Specifically, ensuring that cities are safe, inclusive and of net benefit to its inhabitants, the wider population, and the planet as a whole.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption And Production
This goal promotes the move towards sustainability of consumption and production on a national and global scale, and covers everything from transparency and clarity on consumer choice, to the sustainable management of waste from industrial production. This Goal specifically looks at influencing businesses (through recommendation and policy) to incorporate sustainability into their procurement, staffing, and reporting, such that sustainability is embedded in the consumption and production cycle.
Goal 13: Climate Action
This goal covers all aspects of addressing and combating climate change. From strengthening resilience of populations at risk of natural disasters and climate based hazards, to education at a human and institutional level on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
Goal 14: Life Below Water
This goal encompasses all elements of the protection, restoration and sustainable use of our oceans, seas and marine resources. With an emphasis on reducing marine pollution, increasing the resilience of coastal and marine ecosystems, research on and minimisation of marine acidification, and sustainably managing water-reliant economies to ensure biodiversity while also ensuring fair work and income for those dependent on the oceans.
Goal 15: Life On Land
This goal encompasses all elements of the protection, restoration and sustainable use of our terrestrial ecosystems. This includes a commitment to protecting forests, creating a coherent plan against soil degradation, desertification, and the destruction of habitats of flora and fauna, all of which are critical to biodiversity and sustainable development. This is to be encouraged at a policy level, with a commitment to mobilise resources (financial and non-financial) to enable this conservation.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions
This goal focuses on the promotion, development, and maintenance of strong institutions to ensure peace, justice, and inclusion in society. This is detailed as promoting transparency, reducing crime in all forms including terrorism, violent and financial crimes, ensuring every individual is provided a legal identity and has equal and fair access to these institutions.
Goal 17: Partnerships For The Goals
This goal promotes working together, which will strengthen the means of implementation from a local to a global level to achieve sustainable development. Specifically the partnerships are divided into financial, technological, capacity-building, trade, policy and institutional coherence, including multiple stakeholders, and monitoring and accountability. By partnering on any or all of these bases will assist in the reliable achievement of the other 16 Goals.
Five Pillars Graph:
How does this work?
Your project is addressing the following pillars:
People
An end to poverty and hunger in all their forms and dimensions. A world where all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality, and in a healthy environment.
Planet
Protecting the planet from degradation, creating cycles of sustainable consumption and production, management of natural resources and taking action on climate change. This is all to ensure the planet can support the needs of present and future generations.
Prosperity
Fostering peaceful, just, and inclusive societies that are free from fear and violence. This is a necessary state for sustainable development.
Peace
Ensuring that all human beings can enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives, and that technological, social and economic progress occurs in harmony with nature.
Partnership
To mobilise the means required to achieve the other four impact themes, through including the participation of all countries, stakeholders and people.