Enable

Enable is a Derbyshire based charity which supports people with learning difficulties. Enable has 650 members of staff and supports up to 350 service users a day. A key part of Enable’s work involves supporting people with disabilities. Enable currently employs four disabled apprentices who they recruited through Vision West Nottinghamshire College.

How it works

Enable has supported apprentices with a range of disabilities, including mental health problems, learning difficulties, Asperger’s and those who are blind. They provide disabled apprentices with a flexible induction, which allows them to experience different types of work and meet with different colleagues. Enable provides a wide range of support for disabled apprentices, including allocating them a mentor; providing technological adaptations (such as adaptive cameras to enable blind apprentices to work at a till); and offering formal courses on topics including assertiveness, confidence, and presentation skills. Training is also provided to all staff members on working with disabled colleagues.

Benefits for Enable

Enable is concerned about a skills shortage in their sector, especially when recruiting the next generation of care workers. This programme has helped to get young people interested and skilled-up in their occupational area. Enable has also developed their working partnership with Vision West Nottinghamshire College, which has helped them link up with local employers. Apprentices’ mentors have also gained valuable skills and experience.

Benefits for apprentices

Apprentices with Enable gain the skills and experience they need to either stay on with Enable or find alternative employment after they complete their Apprenticeship. As well as developing their vocational and basic skills, an Apprenticeship with Enable provides disabled apprentices with the opportunity to develop softer skills such as communication, confidence and self-esteem. In particular, apprentices value the opportunity to gain qualifications and work experience in different areas, such as administration, gardening and retail.

Critical Success Factors

Flexibility in the length of the induction programme enables apprentices to progress at a pace that is suitable for them.
Offering the opportunity for apprentices to work in different departments, undertake different tasks and work with different colleagues not only gives apprentices a diverse and rich Apprenticeship, but enables them to find out what they enjoy doing.
Regular informal and formal sessions between apprentices and their mentors allow apprentices to raise issues in a way that is comfortable for them.

Further information and contacts

Enable is a charity providing housing care and support to adults with learning difficulties. For further information please visit www.enable-group.org.uk.