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At DurhamEnable, inclusion isn’t an afterthought, it’s built into every step of how we recruit, train, and support people into work.

Carole Williamson, In-work Support and Training Officer, has been helping organisations rethink how they attract and support neurodiverse talent.

Creating Inclusive Workplaces – How DurhamEnable is Changing Recruitment Culture Transcript.pdf

“I have been training the lead officers how to recruit in a different way, how to create systems that are much more inclusive, how to get the best out of the candidates that are coming to interview,” Carole explains.

Among those she’s trained is Phil Gwillym, Learning and Development Manager at Durham County Council.

“I thought in liaising with Carole, it would be beneficial to have a broader awareness of neurodiversity… to help make training suitable, bespoke to all of our nuances, for want of a better word, or requirements.”

This approach has made a direct impact, particularly for colleagues like Kayleigh, an autistic apprentice who first joined the council through DurhamEnable’s Supported Internship programme.

“It’s enabled Kayleigh to have the best start in her professional life,” says Carole “because the people around her understand some of the differences that she presents to the way they would be expecting someone but it also enables people to see the strengths that autistic people bring.”

By replacing assumptions with understanding, DurhamEnable helps employers unlock the full potential of every individual.

To learn more about Supported Internships, visit Durham County Council: supported employment for young people.

For inclusive employment support, visit our Get in Touch page.

For many young people with additional needs, the step from education into employment can feel like a leap into the unknown. That’s where DurhamEnable’s Supported Internship programme makes all the difference.

Supported Internships: Helping Young People Move Confidently into Employment Transcript.pdf

James Merrington, In-Work Support and Training Officer, has seen first-hand how the programme transforms confidence and opportunity.

“it’s not work experience, it’s a pathway into employment,” says James. “A lot of people we support in the supported internship, they’re coming from sort of SEND provisions, so they’ve very supportive environments and then they come to the end of that education and they’re expected to just go out and find it on their own, by themselves.” DurhamEnable’s Supported Internship programme aims to bridge that gap.

One young person who found success through the programme is Kayleigh Askew, now thriving as a Learning and Development Practitioner at Durham County Council.

“I was encouraged to look for job opportunities whenever possible,” Kayleigh explains. “I applied for four different apprenticeships and got interviews for all of them.”

With DurhamEnable’s guidance, Kayleigh was able to identify reasonable adjustments that help help her perform at her best and communicate them confidently to interviewers. James adds:

“The supported internship is fantastic for someone like Kayleigh or someone who’s neurodiverse or just needs that little helping hand moving into paid employment. Ultimately though, it’s down to the individual as well, you know, Kayleigh from the very start was proactive, she showed great initiative, she really wanted to engage in the programme”

Kayleigh’s advice for others who are in a similar situation to she was is simple: 

“I would recommend DurhamEnable to other people because, whatever your disabilities are, if you want a job then they’ll help you like achieve that.”

To learn more about Supported Internships, visit Durham County Council: supported employment for young people.

For inclusive employment support, visit our Get in Touch page.

When Kayleigh Askew joined DurhamEnable’s Supported Internship programme, she was looking for more than just experience. Kayleigh wanted a real chance to prove herself in the workplace.

From Internship to Apprenticeship – How Kayleigh Found Her Confidence with DurhamEnable Transcript.pdf

With support from In Work Support and Training Officer, James Merrington, Kayleigh worked through a personalised vocational profile, exploring her goals, strengths, and the kind of work environment where she could thrive. And the preparation paid off.

Kayleigh joined Durham County Council’s Learning and Development Team on placement, where she quickly impressed Learning and Development Manager, Phil Gwillym. What began as one day a week soon grew into something more and Kayleigh is now thriving as Learning and Development Practitioner Apprenticeship.

“I was encouraged to look for opportunities whenever possible” Kayleigh explains. “I applied for four different apprenticeship roles and I achieved interviews for all of them.”

With DurhamEnable’s help, Kayleigh was also able to confidently request the reasonable adjustments she needed during interviews and while settling into her role.

“Whatever your disabilities are, if you want a job, then they’ll help you achieve that.” She says.

James Merrington adds:

“The Supported Internship, it’s not work experience, it’s a pathway into employment… 75% of their time is spent in a real workplace, with real colleagues in a real team, and you don’t get that experience anywhere else.

Kayleigh’s journey is proof that with the right support and opportunity, everyone can find a role that fits.

To learn more about Supported Internships, visit DurhamLearn’s website or contact DurhamLearn at durhamlearn@durham.gov.uk / 03000 266 115

For inclusive employment support, visit our Get in Touch page or get in touch via durhamenable@durham.gov.uk / 03000 269 899

DurhamEnable are delighted to be delivering Connect to Work in County Durham.

Connect to Work is a free, voluntary programme providing Supported Employment for people with learning disabilities, autism and multiple complex barriers to employment.

The programme offers individual support and job matching services to help people overcome barriers to work and then remain in employment.

It also helps employers retain good staff but are struggling at work because of their disability and or health condition.

Connect to Work is an element of the Governments £240m Get Britain Working Strategy.

Anti-Bullying week starts on Monday 10 November.

Every year, bullying impacts the lives of countless young people and silence helps it grow.

That’s why, this Anti-Bullying Week, we’re empowering young people to use their Power for Good to safely speak up and raise awareness when they see bullying, face to face or online.

Lasting change needs all of us. From playgrounds to parliament, our homes to our phones — we all have a part to play.

Together, we can use our Power for Good to end bullying — for good.

Find out more here: Anti-Bullying Week 2025.