2nd October 2026 • My Family Our Needs

How can you help your young person with SEND feel ready for the world of work? Nicole Sherwood from Spencer Clarke Group explores what employment readiness can look like for different young people and shares practical ways families can support their next steps, building on their individual strengths, confidence and ambitions.

On the surface, being ‘employment-ready’ might sound like a straightforward goal. For some young people, it could mean leaving education with the right qualifications, some valuable work experience, a strong CV and a clear idea of what they want their future career to look like.

But preparing for adulthood and taking those first steps into the world of work involves much more than ticking a series of conventional boxes. There is no single definition of what it means to be ready for employment, because every young person starts from a different place, with their own strengths, ambitions, experiences and support needs.

For young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the transition from education into employment can bring additional challenges. The prospect of entering an unfamiliar workplace, adapting to new routines, communicating with new people or understanding different expectations can make the future feel uncertain or overwhelming.

That’s why employment readiness should be viewed on an individual basis. For one young person, progress might mean developing the confidence to travel independently to work. For another, it could be learning how to communicate their needs, becoming comfortable in a new environment, developing workplace relationships or understanding how to manage their time and responsibilities.

Ultimately, preparing young people with SEND for work isn’t about fitting everyone into the same definition of ‘employment-ready’. It’s about recognising what readiness looks like for each individual and giving them the opportunities, experiences and support they need to take their next step with confidence.

What does ‘employment ready’ really mean?

Being ‘employment-ready’ is about much more than gaining work experience, putting together a CV or knowing how to approach a job interview. While these are important parts of preparing for work, true employment readiness is also about developing the practical skills, confidence and experience that enable young people to take their next steps towards the workplace.

Every young person’s journey is different. Their ambitions, strengths, circumstances and support needs are unique, which means there can be no one-size-fits-all approach to preparing for employment. For a young person with SEND, progress might mean learning how to set and work towards personal goals, developing a greater sense of responsibility, building confidence in unfamiliar situations or becoming more independent in everyday life.

These skills don’t develop overnight, and being ready for employment certainly doesn’t mean being expected to manage everything independently. In fact, an important part of preparing for adulthood can be understanding what support is available, recognising when it’s needed and developing the confidence to ask for it.

With the right opportunities, encouragement and guidance, young people with SEND can build on their strengths, develop valuable skills and gain experiences that prepare them for the future. Rather than measuring readiness against a fixed set of expectations, the focus should be on individual progress – helping each young person move towards meaningful and fulfilling employment at a pace and in a way that works for them.

Ways to prepare young people with SEND for future employment

Many schools and families start conversations and plans about employment early to instil motivation into students. Often small steps and responsibilities can help prepare young people with SEND for the future, without them feeling forced or overwhelmed.

Ways to prepare young people with SEND for future responsibility and employment, include:

• At home autonomy
• Travel training
• Workplace exposure
• Administrative preparation

At home autonomy

Giving young people with SEND responsibilities at home can have a positive impact as it helps them build independence, work towards clear goals and develop a consistent routine. Simple everyday tasks such as loading a dishwasher, meal planning and watering the plants allows teenagers with SEND to build independent living skills and self-advocacy.

Creating an autonomy-supportive home (and classroom) allows students to build self-regulation and vital life skills at their own pace. By giving them a sense of choice and control over their routines, young people with SEND can learn about the importance of discipline, following orders and developing timekeeping skills. These skills will support them when they enter the workplace.

Travel training

Being able to travel to and from work safely is an important part of preparing for employment. For some young people with SEND, traveling can feel overwhelming or confusing, and it may even prevent them from getting to work. It is important to ensure young people with SEND are familiar with travelling and feel confident navigating their route to work.

Taking young people on public transport can help them learn bus routes and timetables, read signs and maps and identify the correct stop or platform. Depending on a young person’s needs, it’s important to travel alongside a parent, carer or support worker before reducing the level of support.

By practising navigating journeys and regularly commuting, young people can also learn what to do if their usual route changes or a service is delayed. These experiences can reduce anxiety and help young people develop timekeeping skills, confidence and greater independence.

Workplace exposure

Another way to ensure children and young people enhance their confidence and develop the skills they need for employment is through workplace exposure.

Traditional workplaces can feel overwhelming for young people, especially those with SEND or SEMH needs who may find change and new routines difficult.

Opportunities such as careers fairs, work experience, and apprenticeships can give young people exposure to workplaces with the appropriate support. By combining hands-on experience with training, these assisted programmes help young people build the skills and confidence they need to move into employment.

Not only can workplace exposure provide opportunities for young people to gain essential work experience and the skills for the job, but it also exposes them to different cultures, workplace standards and expectations.

Time in a real work setting can also help ease anxiety, make the environment feel less intimidating and even spark early aspiration in young people.

Experiencing different work environments can help young people understand where they will feel most comfortable and confident at work as well as what career path they may want to pursue. It also teaches them how to communicate with others and work as part of a team, just as they would in the workplace.

Administrative preparation

Preparing for employment involves much more than just developing practical workplace skills. Young people also need support to understand and manage some of the administrative responsibilities that come with having a job.

Admin responsibilities can include writing emails, keeping track of appointments, and knowing who to speak to when they need support. Introducing these responsibilities at home and in the classroom can help young people become familiar with managing information and communicating with employers or colleagues.

Learning about financial information such as salary, payslips and how to budget can also help young people understand what to expect when they begin earning.

Helping young people learn how to handle everyday admin before they start work can make the move into employment feel more predictable. It also clarifies what is expected and gives them time to practise, so it feels more manageable.

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