Looking for talent?

WE CAN HELP

We can help you hire people with learning differences. You’re not just filling a position – you’re empowering someone, shaking up your work culture in the best possible way, and bringing on a team member who will genuinely add value.

People with learning differences make fantastic employees. We’re not just saying that – we see it every single day. Our trainees show up at the bakery ready to work, bringing precision and passion to everything they do. The result? Award-winning products that speak for themselves.

Our vision is for a world full of hope, where people with learning differences have confident and ambitious lives. We hope you will feel inspired to help us achieve this ambition.

DIVERSIFY YOUR WORKFORCE

When you hire a Step and Stone trainee, you’re getting someone who’s dedicated, skilled, and – here’s the important bit – fully prepared for the workplace. They’ve been through our programme, so they’re ready to hit the ground running.

But it’s bigger than just filling a vacancy. Inclusive recruitment transforms your workplace culture for the better. It becomes something your whole team can be proud of. You’re not just bringing someone new on board – you’re adding a fresh perspective that’ll enrich your entire workforce.

The bottom line

There’s also a strong economic case for inclusive employment. Businesses that embrace opportunities for people with special needs often see:

  • Higher staff retention – our people stick around

  • Stronger workplace culture – the good vibes are real

  • An improvement in team morale and teamwork – everyone pulls together

  • A loyal and committed employee – it goes both ways

  • Enhanced reputation within their community – doing good feels good

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

When you widen access to work, you’re tapping into a pool of capable, motivated people who traditional recruitment processes often overlook. And that’s their loss – but it could be your gain.

Download our Step and Stone Guide to Employment  – a practical guide built on real research, designed to give you straight answers to questions you might have about employing someone with a learning difference.

Supported employment and you

We don’t just wave goodbye once our trainees start a new job. We stick around and support them (and you) for as long as you need us. Here’s what that looks like:

  • A personalised job-match for your vacancy – we make sure it’s the right fit

  • Free disability awareness training for your staff – because knowledge can really help

  • On-going job coaching for both paid roles and work-experience placements

  • Advice on making reasonable adjustments – we’ll help you get it right

Ways to get involved

There are different ways you can work with us, depending on what suits your business. Here are your options:

PAID WORK

This is the big one, the goal we’re really working towards for our trainees. We’re typically looking at part-time roles, often entry-level positions in areas like catering. Every trainee gets their own job coach when they start, and that coach sticks around for as long as both you and the trainee need them. Simple as that.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Not quite ready to commit to a paid role? No worries! We offer six-week work experience sessions – just half a day per week. And yes, we’re still there supporting both of you throughout.

DISABILITY AWARENESS TRAINING

Want to hire someone with a learning disability but feeling a bit unsure about how to get it right? We totally get it. That’s why we offer training for companies who need some guidance and want their staff properly equipped to be supportive and inclusive.

POP-UP SHOPS

Fancy something a bit different? We can bring a table loaded with our delicious goodies and a couple of trainees to sell our products at your workplace or event. It’s a win-win: helps us spread the word about what we do and gives the trainees valuable experience in customer service and confidence-building.

CORPORATE VOLUNTEERING

Got staff with volunteering hours to use? Send them our way! Your team can spend a half or full day working alongside our trainees here in our Knowle bakery. We can accommodate single or pairs of volunteers.

MEET JESS: KITCHEN ASSISTANT AT UWE STUDENT UNION

Jess was well prepared to work with UWE at the Student Union bakery after her time with Step and Stone. From cooking sausage rolls and making hot dogs for customers, to doing the cleaning and stock rotation, there is never a quiet day at work for Jess. 

She has settled in well with the SU team and they enjoy working with her on Tuesdays. Jess has learned a lot too; she can now use the bus, and has a great sense of achievement from making a real contribution.

CONTACT US

Want to hear more about inclusive recruitment? For an informal conversation, contact Sue King, our Work Transitions Lead, at sue@stepandstone.co

EMAIL SUE