1. Workforce Disability at TfL
Catriona Barker
Vice Chair, Graduate and Apprentice Committee

2. TfL supports the Social Model of Disability

3. What do we know? Some statistics...
Only 52.2% of staff complete a question asking whether they are disabled
This is higher ‘disclosure’ rate than for most organisations, although its still low
There are many reasons for this low number, including lack of understanding of what the legal definition of disability means
Of that 52%, 4% tell us that they are disabled.
This compares with 11% of London’s economically active population

4. Disability Roadmap
TfL data shows that there is an opportunity to improve the way we recruit, retain, promote and include disabled staff
Our new Disability Roadmap – formed in consultation with disabled staff – will set out the steps we need to achieve this
As a Disability confident employer, Transport for London is committed to supporting its disabled employees
The scheme aims to help businesses successfully employ and retain disabled people and those with health conditions to reduce the employment gap. These commitments are integral to our policies, processes and practices
We are aiming even higher to become a Disability Confident Leader where we will be assessed and put up for external challenge

5. Engaging with disabled staff
Staff Network Group for Disability
The Autism Focus Group
The Adjustments Group
The Stammering Focus Group
WellMent Peer Support Group

6. What is the Steps into Work programme?
Our Audience
Our employability programme supports individuals who are aged 16 or above with mild to moderate learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum
Our Aims
The purpose of the programme is to promote choices, independence and move participants closer to paid employment, through work experience placements and completion of a BTEC Level 1 Work Skills qualification in a supportive environment
Our Drivers
Addressing the underrepresentation of adults with learning disabilities and autism in paid employment nationally
Driving disability awareness within our organisation and ensuring our employees are able to best support the city we serve
Our Enablers
Our programme partners Barnet & Southgate College and Remploy embed provided academic and employability expertise through dedicated resources
TfL offer placements across the business as well as use of Head Office facilities for delivery of all programme activity
Barnet & Southgate College draw down funding from the Adult Education Budget (AEB) to deliver the academic and job coaching components of the programme

7. Programme Structure
Steps into Work is a three way partnership between TfL, Remploy and Barnet & Southgate College and offers a unique combination of work placements, vocational study and job coaching to fully prepare our candidates for their transition into the world of work at the end of the 12 month programme.
The programme is delivered entirely on site at Transport for London, with candidates required to attend between 10am and 3:30pm Monday to Friday - with a typical day consisting of 4 hours spent in a work placement and an hour spent in an academic tutorial.
The following sections will provide more insight into the different components that make up the programme:
Tutorials for the academic qualification are delivered on site at TfL offices by a dedicated tutor from Barnet & Southgate College.
Work Placements
Students will rotate through three different work placements during their time on the programme.
Students will work towards gaining a BTEC Level 1 Work Skills qualification, with a curriculum designed explicitly around the knowledge, skills and experience needed for employment.
Each placement rotation will last weeks and will be managed locally by trained volunteers from the hosting business team.
Students aged 18 or over have the opportunity to complete a placement as a Customer Services Assistant (CSA) working in a London Underground station. As part of these placements, candidates gain an NVQ Level 2 unit 027 Customer Services in the Railway Industry Award.
There are no exams on our programme - instead, students are supported to build a portfolio of evidence which act as a record of their learning achievements.
Employability Skills Development
Remploy provide a dedicated on site job coach, who is responsible for supporting the students to develop their employability skills during work placements and group tutorial sessions.
Our placements provide the opportunity for students to gain practical experience of working with different groups of people; doing a variety of tasks with a view to identifying the type of employment opportunities they may wish to seek in the future.
Beyond completion of the programme, Remploy support our student alumni in both their search for employment and their transition into the world of work.
Vocational Study

8. Our story so far ...
33% of our most recent cohort (Year 9) had secured paid employment before the end of the programme in December 2018
Our employment outcomes continue to compare favourably against the 6% UK national employment rate for adults with learning disabilities
The programme has been expanded to support up to 24 students per year from September 2019 – which has the added benefit of realigning the programme dates to the academic calendar

9. Graduate and Apprentice Committee support
Ensuring the transition from Steps into Work to TfL Apprenticeship schemes is smooth, and the right support is still available
Developing a close working relationship with HR
Peer to peer support groups for Graduates and Apprentices with special educational needs
Using new Equality Impact Assessment training to ensure the events we organise are inclusive

10. Thank you for listening