The Autism Project, CareTrade Charitable Trust

The Autism Project is a full time 2-year employment programme for young people on the autism spectrum who would like to work but need more confidence, support, skills, and experience.

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 & St. Thomas’ or Whittington hospitals four days a week, supported by work-place mentors and specialist job coaches. They will also attend class once a week, where they learn valuable employability and independent living skills. The objective is for young people to become ‘work-ready’.

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.

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. Students also have access to weekly SaLT and Wellbeing sessions if needed.

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.