BROMLEY LEARNING DISABILITY HUB
Work and skills
Getting a job or learning a skill
Contents
1. Finding a job
Get help finding a job that’s right for you, job schemes, interviews
Where can you find help to get a job?
You can get help from the Jobcentre Plus in Bromley.
They can help you:
- Look for a job
- Apply for benefits like Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Get support if you are not working
You can also look for jobs:
Online – You can search for jobs on websites like:
- Indeed
- Reed
These websites show lots of jobs. You can search by:
- What kind of job you want
- Where you want to work
Talk to local employers – You can also:
- Visit shops, cafés, or businesses near you
- Ask if they have any jobs
- Give them your CV (a paper that shows your work and skills)
Contact details for Jobcentre Plus:
- Unicorn House, 28 Elmfield Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 1NX
- General help: 0800 169 0190 / Universal Credit: 0800 328 9344
- gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
What are job schemes?
Job schemes are programs that help you find a job or work experience.
They offer support like:
- Finding the right job for you
- Getting ready for interviews
- Helping you settle into your new role
How can they help you?
Job schemes help you:
- Improve your skills
- Feel more confident at work
- Write your CV
- Fill in job applications
- Learn workplace skills
What support is there in Bromley?
In Bromley, there are special services to help adults with learning disabilities find work:
Job Brokerage Service (Bromley Mencap)
This service helps you:
- Look for jobs and apply
- Create or update your CV
- Get ready for interviews
- Find the right job for your skills
- Get support at work through job coaching
- Use the Access to Work scheme for extra help
They also offer training, volunteering, and workshops to help you get ready for work.
Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT)
This team includes:
- Nurses
- Therapists
- Psychologists
They help you with health and support needs so you can live more independently.
Shared Lives Scheme
This is for people who need extra support to live and work independently.
You live with a trained carer who helps you with daily life and work goals.
Interviews
What is a job interview?
- A job interview is a meeting where you talk to someone about a job you want.
- They ask you questions to see if you are right for the job.
What are the different types of interviews?
- Telephone interviews are when an employer calls you and interviews you over the phone.
- One to one interviews are when you are interviewed in person.
- Panel interviews may have 3 or more people asking you questions.
- Group interviews are when other people who applied for the job are interviewed with you.
Before the interview – learn about the job
- Read the job advert again
- Think about what the job involves
Practice answering questions
Practice with a friend, family member, or support worker
Common questions:
- “Tell me about yourself”
- “Why do you want this job?”
- “What are you good at?”
Know what you want to say
Think about:
- What you are good at
- What you enjoy doing
- Times you have helped others or worked in a team
- Think about questions you would like to ask and write them down
Ask for reasonable adjustments
If you need adjustments, tell the employer before the interview.
- This could be needing to see the questions before the interview, so you have more time to prepare
- You could also ask for more time to answer questions or having someone with you
Plan what to wear
- Wear clean and tidy clothes
- Choose something smart but comfortable
- Ask someone to help you pick an outfit if you’re not sure
Plan how you will get to the interview
- Make sure you have written down the date and time of your interview
- Set a reminder to help you
- Plan how you will get to the address of the interview
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview
What to take to the interview?
- A copy of your CV
- Notes to help you remember things
- Any forms or ID they asked for
On the day of the interview
- Be polite and friendly
- Take your time to answer
- It’s okay to ask them to repeat a question
After the interview
- Say thank you at the end
- You can ask when you will hear back
- Talk to someone about how it went
2. Adult education
Learn new skills at college or in the community.
What is Adult Education?
Adult education means learning new things.
You can learn:
- Reading and writing
- Using a computer
- Cooking, art, or yoga
- Maths and English
In Bromley, you can go to Bromley Adult Education College.
- They have friendly teachers and small classes
- You can learn for fun or to help you find work
What Does Bromley Adult Education College Offer?
Bromley Adult Education College has special courses for adults with learning disabilities.
These are held at:
- Kentwood Centre in Penge
You can learn:
- Art and craft
- Cookery
- Dance and drama
- Gardening
- Digital skills
- Healthy living
- Music
- Speaking with confidence
- English and maths
The centres are easy to get to and have helpful staff.
You can book a meeting to talk about what you want to learn.
Contact details for Bromley Adult Education College:
- 020 8659 7976
- baec.ac.uk
Why is Learning Important?
Learning new things can:
- Help you feel good about yourself
- Make you more confident
- Help you get a job
- Help you do more things on your own
You can choose what you want to learn.
There are many different courses.
Extra Help in Bromley
If you have a learning disability, you can get support from:
Bromley Mencap – they help with life skills, money, health, and more
Bromley Well – they offer workshops, drop-ins, and support for adults with learning disabilities
St Paul’s Cray Community Learning Centre – they offer information, advice, weekly work club, ICT support, support groups and crafts
4. Volunteering
What is volunteering?
Volunteering is similar to work experience but can be for a longer period of time.
It can last a few months or more.
You can volunteer in lots of different ways – in a shop, gardening, cleaning, catering or working in an office.
What is good about volunteering?
You can learn new skills.
You can get involved in your community.
It can help you make friends.
It helps you get work ready.
4. Supported employment
What is supported employment?
Supported employment means getting help to:
- Find a job
- Learn how to do the job
- Keep the job
You will get support from friendly people who understand your needs.
Where can I find out more about supported employment?
Bromley Mencap – Employment Advice Service
Offers one-to-one support to help people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, or long-term health conditions find work.
Services include:
- Help with CVs and job applications
- Interview practice
- Weekly job search drop-ins
- Online and community-based advice
Bromley Well – Volunteering, Training and Employment
Supports people with learning disabilities to:
- Find volunteering, training, and paid work
- Attend job clubs and workshops
- Get help with interviews and staying in work
Connect 2 Work – helping you find a job
What is Connect 2 Work?
Connect 2 Work is a new supported employment programme to help people find and keep a job. It is paid for by the Department for Work and Pensions.
When does it start?
It is set to launch in spring 2025 and will run for five years until March 2030.
Who is it for?
It is for people across the country, including in Bromley, who want support to get into work.
What help will I get?
- You will get personal support that fits your needs
- The programme will help you find a job quickly
- It will also help you stay in your job once you start
Where can I find more information?
You can visit:
5. Work placements, supported internships, and apprenticeships
What are work placements, supported internships, and apprenticeships?
Work Placements: Try out a job for a short time. You don’t get paid, but you learn new skills
- Supported internships: These are longer placements where you learn by doing a real job. You don’t get paid, but you learn new skills
- Apprenticeships: You work and learn at the same time. You get paid and study for a qualification
Supported internships in Bromley
PRUH Supported Internship
- Work at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Bromley
- For young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan
- You get help from a job coach and learn work and life skills
- Run by King’s College Hospital NHS Trust, London South East Colleges, and Bromley Council
Bromley Mencap
- Helps adults with learning disabilities find work and training
- Offers supported internships with London South East Colleges
- Helps you build confidence and skills
- Call: 020 8466 0790
- Website: www.bromleymencap.org
Bromley Council Supported Internship
- For young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan
- You work with an employer and get help from a job coach
- You also learn English, maths, and work skills
- Lasts up to one year
- Ask Bromley Mencap or your school or college for help.
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Learn on the job and get paid (apprenticeships) or prepare for work (traineeships).
Get help from:
- Bromley Youth Support Service
- Jobcentre Plus – ask for a Disability Employment Adviser
- National Careers Service
6. Career advice and guidance
What is Career Advice?
Career advice means getting help to think about:
- What job you might like
- What you are good at
- What you want to do in the future
A career advisor is someone who can help you make a plan to reach your goals.
How Can Career Advice Help You?
A career advisor can:
- Talk to you about what you enjoy
- Help you find out what you are good at
- Support you to learn new skills
- Help you find a job or training
- Help you feel more confident about your future
Career Support in Bromley
Here are some places in Bromley that can help you:
Supported internships in Bromley
PRUH Supported Internship
- Work at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) in Bromley
- For young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan
- You get help from a job coach and learn work and life skills
- Run by King’s College Hospital NHS Trust, London South East Colleges, and Bromley Council
Bromley Mencap
- Helps adults with learning disabilities find work and training.
- Offers supported internships with London South East Colleges.
- Helps you build confidence and skills.
- Call: 020 8466 0790
- Website: www.bromleymencap.org
Bromley Council Supported Internship
- For young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan
- You work with an employer and get help from a job coach
- You also learn English, maths, and work skills.
- Lasts up to one year
- Ask Bromley Mencap or your school or college for help
Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Learn on the job and get paid (apprenticeships) or prepare for work (traineeships).
Get help from:
- Bromley Youth Support Service
- Jobcentre Plus – ask for a Disability Employment Adviser
- National Careers Service
Bromley Mencap
They help adults with learning disabilities with:
- Advice and support
- Workshops and drop-in sessions
- Help with letters, bills, and appointments
- Learning life skills like money and health
- Planning for the future
Bromley Well
They offer:
- Help to find jobs, training, or volunteering
- Job clubs and workshops
- Support from friendly advisors
Aurora Nexus (Day Opportunities)
They run short courses for adults with learning disabilities. You can learn about:
- Getting a job
- Money and budgeting
- Making friends
- Being more independent