Greater London Authority (GLA) Programme
The GLA programme is aimed at individuals aged between 16-24 and living in London. It is an initiative that offers end-to-end support, including case management and coaching, to help participants achieve their education, training and employment goals.
Support is also provided once participants are in a placement to help them settle in, meet the expectations of their employer or training/education provider, perform at their best, and achieve their SMART action plan goals.
The programme is split into three parts and individuals can either self-refer or be referred by a third party to any of the following:
- EmployMe London (in partnership with Mencap) – providing support to neurominorities across London. Find out more about EmployMe London here, or make a referral by emailing employmelondon@geniuswithin.org.
- YES – Youth Employment Skills (in partnership with Reed) – providing support to individuals with social, emotional and mental health needs in the Croydon, Hounslow and Wandsworth areas. Find out more about the YES programme here, or make a referral by emailing yes@geniuswithin.org.
- ABLE2 (in partnership with Barnet and Southgate College) – providing support for people with physical disability and/or long-term health needs across London. Find out more about the ABLE2 programme here, or make a referral by emailing Able2@geniuswithin.org.
“The course have really made me feel job ready and more confident into how to approach interviews. It has also made me think about all the things I can do to make myself feel more comfortable before the interview”.
Programme Participant
Work and Health Programme
Through the Work and Health Programme we partner with Shaw Trust to offer support to long-term unemployed neurominorities in Leicestershire, Birmingham, Lincolnshire, Worcester/Herefordshire, Northampton/Bedford, Buckinghamshire, Black Country, Staffordshire/Shropshire, and West London.
We provide a screening call to identify cognitive strengths and development areas. Following this we can recommend either one-to-one coaching (currently delivered via phone or Zoom,) or attendance at our virtual Employable Genius course (also currently run on Zoom). Both forms of delivery involve strategy coaching around memory, concentration, time management, organisation, stress management, communication skills, interview techniques, job searching techniques, confidence building and using our neurodiverse strengths.
We also accept referrals on this project for Workplace Needs Assessments, which are for employed participants. This involves working an individual and their employer to identify what reasonable adjustments would help the participant in being able to work at their best.
To access the Work and Health Programme contact the advisor at your local Job Centre Plus or you can call and leave a message for our team on 01273 890 406
“The course has been fun, there has been a lot of material covered, it’s got my brain working and I have really enjoyed understanding how the brain works. It has made me release that I matter and that I am worth the investment”.
Programme Participant
Building Better Opportunities (BBO) – Connecting Choices
Genius Within’s employability support is offered as part of the Connecting Choices programme in Stoke and Staffordshire. The programme is managed by Ixion Holdings, part of Shaw Trust, who believe in fairness, equality, and opportunity, and helping to build a future where rewarding employment is accessible for all. The project is co-funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Through the Connecting Choices programme we support neurominority participants in the region who are not currently in education, training or employment. We help individuals to better understand what they do well and how to build upon their strengths. Following their assessment, participants go on to receive up to 4 one-to-one coaching sessions. The coaching is tailored to help them identify solutions to difficulties, alleviate stress levels and develop strategies be in their best state possible.
Programme participants are also invited to attend our Employability course. Run over 4 days, the course aims to develop the individual’s self-awareness and help them to become job ready.
To access the BBO Programme contact the advisor at your local Job Centre Plus.
The Connecting Choices programme is managed by Ixion Holdings, part of Shaw Trust. We believe in fairness, equality, and opportunity, and helping to build a future where rewarding employment is accessible for all. This project is co-funded by the European Social Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund.
“Having something everyday has really helped me. Looking at stress management is something I needed to look but hadn’t and so moving forward I am trying to be more positive and be open to sharing my problem so I can get the support that I need. I now know asking for help is a strength.”
Programme Participant
Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES)
IPES is a voluntary programme for people with disabilities and complex barriers to employment. It is aimed at individuals who, without intensive support, would be more than 12 months away from the labour market.
Genius Within is part of a Multidisciplinary Team including Genius Within, Shaw Trust, and Health 2 Employment. Participants receive up to 15 months personalised support to help them identify their strengths and prepare for employment. Our case managers help participants to search for employment and develop relevant skills, such as CV writing and interview technique, as well as liaising with employers.
The programme is open to participants in Leicester, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, London, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, East Anglia, Kent and Essex.
To access the IPES Programme contact the advisor at your local Job Centre Plus.