Making career choices that are right for you

You should start planning for your future early on in school, there is lots of help and support available.

There are many ways to move forward into employment – and lots of support to help you do that, based on your individual strengths, needs and aspirations.

Access to careers advice starts in school and continues on from there into employment or further education.

You can get help with many things including:

• deciding which subjects or courses to choose
• sampling work experience placements
• creating tailored CVs to look for part-time or full-time work
• applying for apprenticeships, traineeships or supported internships, or employment

If you have an Education Health Care Plan, you might be eligible for a Supported Internship. This programme is designed to be a final year of education, to support young people into paid work.

If you have a health condition or disability and are looking for support to find work, or a volunteer placement you may be eligible for the Inspiring Futures Fedcap employment programme. To be eligible you must be:

• aged 16+ and live in the Cheshire East area
• not claiming any benefits that mean you are required to look for work

Inspiring Futures is available until March 2026 and is funded by the UK Shared prosperity fund.

Cheshire East Supported Employment team work intensively with disabled people with more complex needs. The team offer a quality employment service across the whole of Cheshire East to people who: 

• are economically inactive and would like to be in a work environment, either paid or voluntary.
• are a young person in transition from children’s to adult social care services or are currently receiving support from adult social care services

Once a paid job has been secured,  Access to Work can help you stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.

The support you get will depend on your needs. Through Access to Work, you can apply for:

• a grant to help pay for practical support with your work.
• support with managing your mental health at work.
• money to pay for communication support at job interviews.