CareTrade Charitable Trust

CareTrade strives to improve the life chances of school leavers and adults with autism by creating inspirational and sustainable opportunities that will help them achieve their potential and be as independent as possible.

What we offer

The Autism Project Guys and St Thomas’ Hospital 

The Autism Project is a 2 year, full-time, 36 week employability programme for young people on the autistic spectrum who would like to work but need more confidence, support and experience to start applying for their first job. Students have real work experience placements within Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospitals four days a week and one classroom based day a week where they learn valuable employability skills.

• 4 days a week work placement within Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospital, supported by trained mentors and managers in year one and further placements outside of the hospitals in year 2.
• Support from work place mentor and regular visits from The Autism Project Coordinator.
• 1 day classroom based teaching where students learn about employability skills such as CV writing and applying for jobs. This will lead to a City & Guilds Employability Skills qualification. From September 2017 we will also offer additional training such as first aid, manual handling and food hygiene.
• Help with moving on plans/ employment support for after course completion.

Employment Opportunities

Individually tailored employability training for young adults with autism.

Employment Opportunities is a flexible mix of workshops, job search sessions, interview preparation and work placements over a six month period (with an option to extend).

• During the first six weeks all young people are required to attend weekly workshops All participants have weekly 1:1 sessions with a member of the team where they will focus on job search, job applications and interview preparation.
• In addition everyone will also have the opportunity to undertake work experience, placements will be sought depending on individual skills and interests. The purpose of the work experience placements is to help develop and maintain skills whilst seeking work.

When a young person is successful in gaining employment, we can continue to support them through Access to Work. This includes assisting employers to make reasonable adjustments, providing Autism Awareness Training and being available to the employer, colleagues and young person for advice and support as necessary.

In terms of our success rate, 57% of participants on the pilot attained paid employment or an apprenticeship within the first 6 months of being with us.

In addition to these programmes we run a weekend café training programme at Spa School House Café in Bermondsey. We also provide in work support (funded by DWP Access to Work) and are officially a City & Guilds Centre.