Employment and Community Skills

Employment and Community Skills A service for young people with SEN and disabilities, provided by Wiltshire Council Who is eligible?

Employment and Community Skills are part of the 0-25 SEND service at Wiltshire Council and incorporate two teams - Wiltshire Employment Support Team (WEST) and Community Connecting (CC). WEST assist customers to find and sustain varying levels of paid employment with local employers. Looking at what types of work would suit each customers skills and experience. Then aiming to match individual skil

ls to available jobs (including apprenticeships). Community Connecting provide a time limited service with the aim of working with each customer so they are able to find, take part in their chosen community activity and do this independently. Including, Volunteering, socialising, joining a club, meeting friends travel and much more. SEND Service referrals;
• Young people 14 to 25 years of age with a My Plan or Statement of Special Education Need (SEN) or previously held a statement. Young people with ASC not meeting the above criteria;
• 16 to 25 years of age (funded from aiming high budget)
• Resident in the county of Wiltshire (local authority boundary area). Adult Care and CTPLD referrals
• 18 to 25 years of age with an SEN or previously had a statement.
• 18 to 25 years of age without an SEN; customers to be identified as having a learning disability or autistic spectrum condition.
• 26+ years of age customers should be identified as having a previous SEN, learning disability or autistic spectrum condition. Please note that customers are not eligible if they are working with another Wiltshire Council supported employment service or supported by a universal service such as a Work Programme provider. Who can refer?
• Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) Worker
• Wiltshire College Tutor
• Wiltshire supported Internships Job Coach
• Social Worker
• Wiltshire Specialist School Teacher
• Avon and Wiltshire Partnership (AWP), Autism Assessment Team
• Wiltshire Council; Social care advice and Information 0300 456 0111
• Integrated Youth Service

Jake joined WEST in April 2025 wanting to find a paid job so he could manage his own money. Since then, he’s passed his ...
25/08/2026

Jake joined WEST in April 2025 wanting to find a paid job so he could manage his own money. Since then, he’s passed his driving test and bought his own car, so getting a job was super important to help pay for car costs, too 🚗

​Jake put 100% effort into finding work. He never missed a meeting, was always on time, and finished every task his job coach, Lenka gave him.

​All his hard work paid off when he landed an interview at Wyvern St Edmund’s Academy. He did so well that he was offered a job as a part-time cleaner on the exact same day 🏫🙌

​Jake had no cleaning experience before, but he was determined to learn. Now, three months later:
​He cleans 8 classrooms and a huge corridor every day 🧹

​His manager gave him glowing feedback at his review 🌟

​He works so fast he even calls himself ‘Speedy Jakezaless’ ⚡️

​Jake says the secret to success is showing real commitment and determination. We couldn't agree more 🥳👏

🌟 Meet the Team Monday 🌟​Today, we’re featuring Lou, one of our longest-standing Community Co-ordinators, who has recent...
24/08/2026

🌟 Meet the Team Monday 🌟

​Today, we’re featuring Lou, one of our longest-standing Community Co-ordinators, who has recently stepped into an exciting early intervention role 👏

​Lou is all about empowering others, creative thinking, and bringing incredible energy to everything she does.

🎶 Lou loves music festivals, live gigs, and any excuse for a good stomp to some breakbeat

​🍜 She loves cooking Asian-inspired dishes from scratch, especially anything packed full of spice and flavor

​Lou’s wealth of experience, creative mindset, and passion for community make her an invaluable part of our team (We love you Lou) ❤️

Shout out to Alfie, who took the initiative to sign up for additional volunteering with Pets at Home in partnership with...
20/08/2026

Shout out to Alfie, who took the initiative to sign up for additional volunteering with Pets at Home in partnership with Salisbury Foodbank 🐾🛒

​Alfie spent his day out in the community handing out leaflets, raising awareness, and encouraging generous customers to purchase goods to support the foodbank's vital work.

​Alfie independently sought out this opportunity while actively looking for work. (WEST do not support volunteering, that's Community Connecting 😎)

A huge thank you to Pam, who worked alongside Alfie to make the day such a success!

🎄 It’s Never Too Early for Christmas 🎅✨​Here is Ethan, who volunteers with the fantastic team at Ruksak 🎁​After a brilli...
13/08/2026

🎄 It’s Never Too Early for Christmas 🎅✨

​Here is Ethan, who volunteers with the fantastic team at Ruksak 🎁

​After a brilliant success with his travel training, he is now traveling to and from his volunteering independently 🚌💨

​Getting stuck in and helping put out all the festive bits and pieces at RUKSAK. Who says you have to wait for December to get into the holiday spirit? ❄️📦

Out and about in Chippenham today 🚌 Supported Intern Ollie hit the road with his Job Coach, Rob, for some route training...
05/08/2026

Out and about in Chippenham today 🚌

Supported Intern Ollie hit the road with his Job Coach, Rob, for some route training as he prepares for his upcoming internship year at Chippenham College.

​Ollie took the lead and was showing Rob how to travel safely and navigate his way around town 🚶‍♂️

​Ollie is aiming high and hoping to land a placement with idverde in Devizes starting this January 🌿🚜, plus, he’s super keen and open to exploring all types of work opportunities along the way 🚀

👋 Meet the Team Monday 🌟​It’s time for another team spotlight, and today we’re shining the light on Clare, our Get Conne...
03/08/2026

👋 Meet the Team Monday 🌟

​It’s time for another team spotlight, and today we’re shining the light on Clare, our Get Connected Guru, Community Connecting Senior 🚀✨

​Clare brings serious energy, passion, and an enviable supply of highlighters to our team every single day.

We cornered her for a quick Q&A to find out what makes her tick:

​✈️ Travel Bug: "I love to travel, have an adventure, and make memories with my family and friends." (Basically, if there’s a passport or a road trip involved, count her in)

​🎯 The Day Job Joy: "Encouraging people to achieve their full potential is exciting and rewarding."

​📑 Stationery Obsession: "I love being organised and enjoy my extensive stationery collection!" (Seriously, don't borrow a pen unless you plan on returning it immediately 🖋️😉)

​💃 Nightlife Vibes: "Live music and a good dance is my idea of a fab night out"

​🤝 People Person: "I love building professional relationships with those I work with and support."

​Clare’s dedication to helping people hit their goals, paired with her top-tier organisation skills, makes her an absolute legend on our team.

Charlie is just going through a last push of his summer deep clean at the school in Amesbury where he works as a cleaner...
31/07/2026

Charlie is just going through a last push of his summer deep clean at the school in Amesbury where he works as a cleaner 🧽🧹🪣

He has finished his first school summer deep clean. It has been a really busy week, with Charlie working double his usual hours, but he has shown great resilience and determination throughout.

The deep clean was a big job, and although it has been tiring and overwhelming at times, Charlie has worked hard to get everything done and should be proud of what he has achieved. He has stayed committed to the task and pushed through the longer working hours.

With only two hours to go until he finishes for the summer, Charlie is more than ready for a well-earned holiday and can't wait to enjoy some time off after all his hard work this week! 🌞👏

Job coach Lenka has been supporting Charlie with his job and his independence is growing so much, it won't be long before he doesn't need us anymore 😎

🎉 Charlie has started his new job as an FM Operative with Wiltshire Council 😁 Just look at that grin!Charlie has worked ...
28/07/2026

🎉 Charlie has started his new job as an FM Operative with Wiltshire Council 😁 Just look at that grin!

Charlie has worked incredibly hard to get to this point. Through the WEST Skills offer, he completed work experience with the FM team, gaining valuable experience and confidence along the way.

Since early 2025, Charlie has been working with Clare, attending events, taking advice, and preparing for employment. With the fantastic support of his family, all that hard work has led to this 😎

Charlie will soon begin an FM Operative apprenticeship once he's settled into his new role, and we can't wait to see him continue to grow and succeed.

Congratulations, Charlie, e're all so proud of you, and we wish you every success in your new role 👏🎊

Finishing Friday with some positivity 😇 Huge congratulations to Molly-Mae who is absolutely smashing her commis chef app...
24/07/2026

Finishing Friday with some positivity 😇

Huge congratulations to Molly-Mae who is absolutely smashing her commis chef apprenticeship 🧑‍🍳🥘

She only needs to be 32% through her training at this stage . . . but she’s already at an amazing 47% completed 🤩

Her manager has said how incredibly impressed they are with her constant commitment and enthusiasm for the role, and her assessor has praised the fantastic quality of all her assignments so far 👏

Molly-Mae is on track to be ready for her end point assessment in September, where she’ll show off her skills cooking a delicious 3-course meal! We can’t wait to see what you create 💛

​Pictured here catching up at her recent review are Job Coach Jo, Molly-Mae, Assessor Leanne, and Manager Laura.

​Have a wonderful weekend, everyone 🎉 🙌

Lauren started a job at the beginning of June after being a Supported Intern last year. Moving from an internship straig...
23/07/2026

Lauren started a job at the beginning of June after being a Supported Intern last year. Moving from an internship straight into a job was her big next step 🏫💪

​She has just finished the academic year (on a term time contract) working completely independently. Her hard work hasn't gone unnoticed either. The teachers have been raving about how great she’s doing, and one teacher even gave her a box of chocolates as a special thank-you for keeping her classroom so spotless 🥰🍫

​Lauren now gets to enjoy a very well-deserved summer break after an amazing first term in her new post. ☀️

Going from intern to fully independent employee is a huge achievement, and Ellie and the whole WEST team are cheering you on. Enjoy your summer 🥳👏

Address

Main Hubs In Salisbury, Chippenham And Trowbridge
Trowbridge

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+441225718004

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