Over recent decades we’ve seen a real changes in workplace culture in the UK but applying for a job can still be hard if you have a disability or long-term health condition. But don’t worry, there is lots of support available to help and guide you.
What support is available?
If you’re claiming benefits, your local Jobcentre is a great place to start. Work coaches can help you find a job or gain new skills. They’ll also know about disability-friendly employers in your area.
If you need additional support, they can also refer you for an ‘employment assessment’ to find out more about your skills and experience, and the kind of roles you’re interested in.
If you have a disability or health condition, there are schemes and resources available to help you find and keep a job. Ask about these at your local Jobcentre:
- Access to Work (external website) can help you get or stay in work if you have a disability or health condition. The support you get will depend on your needs. It can include, for example, a grant to pay for practical support at work or money to pay for communication support at job interview (external website).
- Work and Health Programme (external website) helps you find and keep a job if you are out of work. Personal support can include training to help meet your work needs and putting you in touch with employers.
- Advice on mental health issues can also be found through Every Mind Matters (external website).
Finding a job
- If you’re not sure where to start with your job search, follow our seven steps to improve your chances of finding work.
- Look for Disability Confident employers – Disability Confident (external website) is a Government-backed scheme promoting good employer practices to support disabled people into work. So you can be confident approaching a signed-up company about workplace adjustments, alternative interview formats or any other help you need to get in and get on at their company.
- If you want to look for vacancies, use the Find a Job service (external website) or other job sites available too. Try searching for ‘jobs’ in Google, or make your search more specific to find sites that specialise in disability and work, like ‘disability job sites’.
- Some industries will have more jobs available than others. You can read more about the types of jobs that are more likely to be available. There is also information to help you get started in an industry you haven’t worked in before.
- Need to update your CV or create a new one? Our CVs and covering letters page can help.
- Get inspired. Find out how Ozer got back into work after four years of health issues – Ozer’s story.
Flexible working
- If you aren’t able to work full time, it doesn’t mean that you can’t work at all.
- Flexible working could be a great option for you if you have a disability or health condition.
- Many employers offer flexible working which includes job sharing and part time work so you can still be working and earning in a way that works for you. They may also offer the opportunity to work from home or in a different location.
- Find out more on the flexible working page.
Develop your skills
- Skills for Careers (external website) can help you find new learning opportunities and qualifications to improve your chances of finding work.
- Find out more about skills and training opportunities, both on and off the job, on our skills and work-based training page.