Finding/Keeping Jobs

You may need to:

• fill in an application form

• send a curriculum vitae (CV)

A CV is a short document about:

• your skills

• your experience

• your qualifications

A job interview is a meeting where an employer asks questions to see if you are right for the job.

You can prepare by:

• practising answers to common questions

• planning what you will wear

• checking how to get to the interview

• thinking about what to say about yourself

You can find simple guides online, such as:
20 Tips to Ace Any Job Interview

When you start a new job, your employer will explain how you will be paid.

Pay may be:

• weekly

• monthly

They will tell you:

• the day you get paid

You will need to give your bank details.

After you are paid, you will receive a payslip.

A payslip shows:

• how much money you earned

• how much tax was taken

• how much National Insurance (NI) was taken

• other deductions, such as pension payments

You can find more about tax and money in the Money section of your website (if available).

A P60 shows:

• how much money you earned during the tax year

• how much National Insurance you paid

• how much income tax you paid through PAYE

The tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April.

The information on a P60 comes from:

• you (if you complete a self‑assessment tax return)

• your employer

• your pension provider

• the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

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Why you need your P60

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Your P60 is proof of your income and tax paid.

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You may need it when applying for:

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• a mortgage

• renting a property

• other financial services

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More information:
https://www.which.co.uk/money/tax/income-tax/tax-codes-paye/what-is-a-p60-ao8Xx0Z7aPnn

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What happens when you resign

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When you leave a job, your employer must give you a P45.

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A P45 shows:

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• how much you earned during the tax year so far

• how much tax you paid

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A P45 has four parts:

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• Part 1 goes to HMRC

• Part 1A is for you

• Parts 2 and 3 go to your new employer

• If you are not working, give it to Jobcentre Plus

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Why you need a P45

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A P45 helps your new employer use the correct tax code.

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Without it, you may pay too much tax.

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You may also need it to:

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• complete a tax return

• claim a tax refund

• claim benefits

• avoid overpaying tax from a pension

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More information:
https://www.which.co.uk/money/tax/income-tax/tax-codes-paye/what-is-a-p45-aTvBL1X0yX7Y

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The Wirral has a strong focus on helping young people into work.

Work can:

• give you purpose

• help you make friends

• help you leave the house

• increase independence

• give you money

If you are aged 16 to 25 and have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, you may be able to take part in a Supported Internship.

Supported Internships:

• take place in a real workplace

• include support from a job coach

• help you build work skills, including maths and English if needed

They are like long, supported job interviews.

Many young people move into paid work afterwards.

Your job coach can:

• help you learn tasks

• support your employer

• help colleagues understand how to support you

After identifying your interests, you can look for ways to use them in work.

This can help you earn money while doing something you enjoy.

Examples:

• Enjoy video games → computer programming or graphic design

• Like patterns and details → finance or office work

• Like organising → shop stock work (often quieter and well‑paid at night)

Not everyone enjoys a full‑time 9–5 job.

You may prefer:

• seasonal work

• self‑employment

• freelancing

• part‑time work

• job sharing

These options can support:

• sensory needs

• social needs

• routines

• energy levels

Many autistic people have strong talents that can become a fulfilling career.

Work experience usually lasts days or weeks.

It lets you:

• try simple tasks

• learn what a job is really like

• decide if you enjoy the work

Good places to ask include:

• family or friends

• animal rescue centres

• vets

• shops

• cafés

• libraries

Work experience helps you:

• learn what you like

• learn what you do not like

• decide what to study

You choose what to share, but it can help to explain:

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• your strengths

• what you find difficult

• if you need movement breaks

• how you learn best

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Masking can be tiring.
Plan quiet time or breaks if needed.

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More guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/work-experience-for-young-people-on-sen-support

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Supported internships help young people with EHC plans move into paid work.

‍ They: ‍

• are unpaid

• last at least 6 months

• take place mainly in the workplace

• include tailored learning

• offer job‑coach support

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The goal is paid employment at the end.

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More information:

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• GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-19-to-25-year-olds-entitlement-to-ehc-plans

• Wirral: https://wirralpost16.co.uk/about/supported-internships/

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If you claim benefits, you will meet a Jobcentre work coach.

The coach will talk with you about:

• what support you need

• what makes work difficult

• next steps toward employment

You will agree a claimant commitment.

Other support may include:

• Work Programme

• Work Choice

• Specialist Employment Service

You may also apply for Access to Work funding.

Some people will have a Work Capability Assessment.

Learners aged 19+ without an EHC plan may still receive funding support.

This can help pay for:

• specialist equipment

• helpers or note‑takers

• exam adjustments

• support in lessons

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FE providers must make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

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This covers:

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• admissions

• learning

• facilities

• flexible study

• exclusions

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More information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-19-to-25-year-olds-entitlement-to-ehc-plans

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You have the right to reasonable adjustments.

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An interview should test your skills, not disadvantage you.

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Common adjustments include:

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• BSL interpreters

• extra time

• questions in advance

• reading support

• assistive technology

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Funding may be available through Access to Work:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-work

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How to ask for reasonable adjustments at an interview

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Contact the person inviting you to the interview.

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Ask questions such as:

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• “What will I need to do?”

• “What format is the interview?”

• “How will my skills be tested?”

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Be clear about:

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• being disabled

• what is inaccessible

• what adjustments would help

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Ask early so employers have time to prepare.

Putting your request in writing

After speaking to the employer, send an email confirming what was agreed.

‍ This:

• creates a record

• helps staff share information

• protects you if issues arise later

‍ ‍What to do if the employer says no

Ask if there is another way to make the interview accessible.

The aim is a fair assessment of your skills.

If agreement cannot be reached, this may be discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.