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CareTrade Charitable Trust

CareTrade is a multi-award winning charity providing innovative opportunities for Londoners with autism to transition from school/college towards and into employment.

The Autism Project is a full time 2 year employment programme for young people on the autism spectrum who would like work but need more confidence, support, skills and experience. We use a module based learning system so students can start at the beginning of any term and can progress at a pace that best meets their individual needs.

 

TAP staff use person centred planning and our aim is to help all students reach their individual goals as defined in their Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP). Throughout the course there is a high level of 1:1 support. From September 2017 all our students will have access to our new counselling service.

 

In addition The Autism Project supports young people to improve their independent living skills, become involved in their community and take steps to stay healthy through enrichment activities and social groups that run across all CareTrade services. This includes travel training.

Who is the service for? Young adults with a diagnosis of autism, living in London

 

Criteria for access to service: A diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, aged 18-25, wants to work. Has or is in the process of being assessed for an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

How are decisions made to access the service: The Autism Project has an admissions policy which is strictly adhered to and is available on request. See ‘How can I access this service’ for further information.

 

 

 

 

All students follow our supported internship curriculum for their first term and typically students will spend 3 terms (their first year) following this: they will learn within real work experience placements within either Guy’s or St. Thomas’ hospitals four days a week, supported by work-place mentors and specialist job coaches and attend class once a week, where they learn valuable employability and independent living skills and work towards City & Guilds qualifications. The objective is for young people to become ‘work-ready’ and to have gained a reference from their workplace. 

 

 

Students’ progress to the Year two curriculum once ‘work-ready’, typically in term 4, where the focus is on greater independence in the workplace (with a wider range of employers). Students are supported to develop their interview and communication skills and to actively seek and hopefully gain paid employment, a paid apprenticeship or further vocational training of choice. In year two students access weekly 1:1 job search sessions. 

How can I access this service? We accept referrals from Local Authorities and directly from young people.

Applicants should complete a TAP application form and supply copies of documents as requested including a copy of a current EHCP where applicable. We hold informal interviews with all applicants (who meet our primary criteria) and all suitable applicants are invited to complete a half day assessment and DBS check.

All students are required to have an EHCP in place prior to starting. Any additional support needs should be discussed when applying to ensure the correct support is in place prior to starting.

How is this service funded? A young person’s place is funded by their Local Authority (usually by Education but sometimes Social Services or a combination of these). This usually requires an EHCP to be in place or for an assessment to be in progress. Occasionally a student may be funded 

Who to contact

Telephone
E-mail
info@caretradeuk.org
Website
www.care-trade.org
Notes

If you have a specific query you can fill in a contact form on this part of the website:

http://www.care-trade.org/contact/

Where to go

Name
The Clarence Centre
Address
6 St Georges Circus
London
Postcode
SE1 6FE

Other Details

Availability

Age Ranges
18-25 year olds
Referral required
Yes
Referral Details

Self-referral or referral from professionals.

An application form must be completed (please contact us for one) and if the applicant meets our criteria an interview will be offered.

 

Places are offered on a conditional basis and will only become unconditional on us receiving funding from the Local Authority.

Other notes

 

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