Work is about earning money and so much more besides; it provides self-confidence and a sense of self-worth. It also helps connect you to other people and build new friendships in your local community.
Our dedicated supported employment service in Somerset, BANES and Devon provides support to work for people who do not necessarily meet traditional criteria for ‘job readiness’ or ‘employability’.
£9.35
£9.35 social and economic return for every £1 invested in Supported Apprenticeships in Somerset (source: NDTI)
At Discovery, our supported employment service in Somerset, BANES and Devon follows British Association of Supported Employment (BASE) best practice, helping adults with learning disabilities and autism find meaningful work—even if they don’t meet traditional ideas of “job readiness” or “employability.”
Support to work in Somerset
>70%
of supported internship graduates gained paid employment of over 16 hours per week, in 2023
If you want to work, we’ll help you achieve your goals through our specialist employment team and as part of our wider adult social care support.
We know that with the right support, almost anyone can succeed in a productive job.
Real Success Stories
People we support have gone on to secure real jobs—earning money, paying taxes, and contributing to society. There’s some wonderful individual stories at the foot of this page.
Why Choose Discovery?
BASE-accredited supported employment service
Person-centred approach tailored to your skills and ambitions
Ongoing support to help you thrive in the workplace
Training to support an individual with learning disabilities or autism into work.
We’ve coached more than 300 people into work across Somerset since 2017, and more recently BANES and Devon, and there’s many opportunities to help further.
In the UK, 85% of people with a learning disability would like to be in paid employment, but only 5.6% are currently in work.
We offer a comprehensive training package to employers consisting of:
• Phone support from our expert team
• Support to gain organisation-wide disability confidence and qualifications
• Job matching: vocational profiles for all candidates to help businesses find a suitable role
• Job coaches who provide induction and in-work support.
Stepping Stones
A pre-employment course which introduces the possibility of employment to people who may have never considered it as an option focusing on confidence, skills and abilities.
Work Experience
Personalised strategies and tools to support independence at work
Steps Up
Supporting people closer towards education, training, volunteering or work, including self-employment.
Internships
Opportunities for employers to offer a young person, who otherwise may have limited prospects of working, a fully supported experience of the working world
HPC
16- week work placement opportunities with EDF at Hinkley Point on a nuclear-licenced construction site
Supported Employment
Job coaching funded by the local authority to support people into employment, and help them keep their job.
Could we work with you?
We are looking for businesses which can offer:
• Paid work opportunities
• Supported Internships
• Structured work experience
• Work trials
• Working interviews
• Work taster sessions
Looking for Employment Support in Somerset, BANES or Devon?
If you or someone you care for wants to work, we can help.
A powerful journey from lifelong barriers to newfound confidence, independence, and purpose – showing how trust, inclusion, and lived experience can transform a life and inspire hope in others.
Ella has been making a strong impression during her supported employment rotation at Bournemouth Library, demonstrating how the right support and environment can enable people with learning disabilities and autistic people to succeed at work.
Discovery is proud to celebrate its supported interns, Andrew and Sophie, who have recently begun a 10-week rotation at Lush’s Green Hub in Poole. From the very first day, both interns have impressed the team with their can-do attitude, teamwork, and eagerness to learn.
9th February 2026
25th July 2025
25th July 2025
