The Shared Steps Way
How do we do things then? What makes Shared Steps so special? Have a look below at how we have planned out our services to give you the best shot at accessing inclusive and fulfilling work. (And to make waves in the employment world, neurodivergent's rise up!)
We have an enhanced DBS cert on the update system and are business insured.
Tailored packages, exciting opportunities and great deals below...
Our 'All Rounder' Packages
12 Weeks (A Choice of 4hrs or 6hrs p/w)
Our 12 Week Packages are formed with a bit of each of our services, rolled into one. The aim of the 12 week course is to...
Step 1: Get to know you and what you need to feel comfortable and understood in the workplace. Whether you have any qualifications, experience (it all counts!), preferences on job roles and industries, your salary/hourly pay needs. We'll put a portfolio together and add to it as we go along, to show you and your prospective employers how amazing you are.
Step 2: Identify potential career paths with you and look at the current market for these kinds of jobs, what you need to do these jobs and what kinds of difficulties you may face in the kind of environment you're looking at, to pre-empt these and practice some integration techniques and self-advocacy.
Step 3: Support you to write a stand-out CV and practice cover letters.
Step 4: Search to see if any jobs stand out to you, and to then apply.
Step 5: In the meantime of all this and waiting for responses, we work on your confidence, advocating for your needs, knowing and communicating your needs to employers, mock interviews and feedback, talking about workplace integration methods.
Step 6: When you get an interview, your buddy can come with you as emotional support and even provide transport if needed (business insured- don't worry!)
Step 7: If you're successful in obtaining a job, your buddy can help you to plan the route to and from your new workplace and can practice this route with you until it feels familiar.
Step 8: This part is the best- you're thriving and comfortable in your workplace. Your buddy will come to visit weekly and will check in with you about any support you need with requesting reasonable adjustments in work, any issues that are bothering you and making sure you are feeling comfortable and heard in the workplace.
The Online Package
12 Weeks (Online 2hrs p/w)
Similar to our 'all rounder' packages but without interview and travel buddies. Fully online 1:1 sessions. Ideal if you are outside of the North West, or if online works better for you in terms of feeling comfortable. We want you to get the most from your sessions, so if online works better for you, that's okay!
Step 1: Get to know you and what you need to feel comfortable and understood in the workplace. Whether you have any qualifications, experience (it all counts!), preferences on job roles and industries, your salary/hourly pay needs. We'll put a portfolio together and add to it as we go along, to show you and your prospective employers how amazing you are.
Step 2: Identify potential career paths with you and look at the current market for these kinds of jobs, what you need to do these jobs and identify any difficulties you may face in the kind of work environments you're looking at, so we can pre-empt these and work on some integration skills and self-advocacy.
Step 3: Support you to write a stand-out CV and practice cover letters.
Step 4: Support you to see if any jobs stand out to you, and to then apply.
Step 5: In the meantime of all this and waiting for responses, we work on your confidence, advocating for your needs, knowing and communicating your needs to employers, mock interviews and feedback, talking about workplace integration methods.
Step 6: When you get an interview, your buddy can support you in learning ways to calm your nerves, advocate for yourself in the interview (dimmed lights? different seating?)
Step 7: If you're successful in obtaining a job, your buddy can help you to plan the route to and from your new workplace and look at local transport options.
Step 8: This part is the best- you're thriving and comfortable in your workplace. Your buddy will check in with you weekly online, seeing if you need any support with requesting reasonable adjustments in work, any issues that are bothering you and making sure you are feeling comfortable and heard in the workplace.
Interview & Travel Buddy Service
Individual sessions booked for interview & route planning / practice
Our 2 unique in-person services.
1. Interview Buddies: When you get an interview, whether you are with us on a package or just looking for help with an interview one-off, a buddy can come with you as emotional support and to support with transport if needed (business insured vehicles). Approx 3hrs depending on location.
2. Travel Buddies: Whether with us in an existing package or needing as a one-off, a buddy can come with you to look at route planning for your new or existing job, and to keep you company on the journey's to and from your new workplace until you feel comfortable enough and the route is familiar enough.
Approx 3-4 hours depending on location.
Workplace Neurodiversity & Inclusion (For Employers)
Approx. 4hr Course for Employers
Approx. 4hr course for employers with topics covered below:
- Workplace inclusivity
- Neurodiverse employees & support
- Understanding neurodiversity
- How to foster a neurodiverse-inclusive/friendly work environment.
- Letting go of stereotypes in the workplace
- Integrating this into staff supervisions / appraisals
- Equal opportunities
- Things you can do to improve inclusion in the workplace.
- Making interviews more accessible and less daunting.
Delivered by Katie, our director, who is also autistic, lives with 2 ADHD individuals and has a significant amount of experience supporting young people and young adults age 16-21 with ASD, ADHD, PTSD, depression and anxiety etc. First hand experience with employers who are and those who are not neurodiversity friendly and wants to change this.
