Career Ready
Giving young people with learning disabilities meaningful work experiences.
We’re looking to fund organisations to deliver high‑quality, job coach‑led careers education. We want to help organisations deliver support in both mainstream and SEND school settings. Support that embeds employment principles, providing tailored vocational profiling, meaningful work experience, and early links to employers. Our goal is to help young people secure meaningful paid work.
The key aims of the fund are to:
Embed trained job coaches in school settings so young people receive consistent, person-centred employment support.
Provide early, structured vocational profiling and careers preparation, helping young people identify strengths, interests and aspirations.
Create meaningful, well-matched work experiences that give young people exposure to workplaces, rather than generic or tokenistic placements.
Strengthen partnerships between schools, support networks, employers and specialist providers, ensuring support for young people through a joined-up ecosystem.
Build clear pathways into supported internships, employment and paid work
We’re committed to funding work rooted in communities and delivered with supported employment practice.
It doesn’t matter if you’re currently delivering this kind of work, or are looking to develop it. We’re looking for organisations that will work in partnership with schools, families and employers to help young people move confidently towards a career. We want to reach young people earlier, from age 14, so they have the time and support to build real career readiness.
Career Ready is part of our Building Independence Programme, backing services that help young people thrive as they move into adulthood.
What we’re looking to fund
Your organisation will:
Deliver supported employment and demonstrate clear understanding and use of the five stage supported employment model.
Have trained job coaches or use the funding to train or recruit staff in Supported Employment Techniques and Systematic Instruction.
Have existing, proactive partnerships with schools (mainstream and/or SEND) and be able to embed job coaches in them.
Be embedded in your local community, understand local labour markets, and demonstrate credible links with employers and families.
Have experience supporting young people with learning disabilities and understand the specific barriers they face.
Watch the Fund launch webinar
Eligibility
Eligible organisations: charitable organisations registered in and working in the UK, including:
Registered charities and Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
Community Interest Companies (CICs) that are not-for-profit with an asset lock
Other not for profit charitable organisations delivering work aligned with our objects
Annual income (as shown in your most recent published accounts): must be below £3 million
Location: activity must take place within the UK
Expression of Interest deadline: Wednesday 2 September 2026, 5pm
Click to view fund guidelines easy read version click here
To check eligibility and apply
CLICK HERE
For more information please view the web page Henry Smith Foundation