The City of Wolverhampton Council celebrated its place among the nation’s best at the prestigious National Learning Disabilities and Autism Awards 2025.
With over 1,000 attendees from across the UK, the event showcased excellence in social care and support for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
The council was named a finalist in 2 major categories – the Employer of the Year Award and the Positive Behaviour Support Award.
Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, Councillor Christopher Burden, said: “As a council, we are committed to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and beyond, and these nominations reflect the city’s unwavering commitment to inclusive employment practices and person centred support strategies.
“Among the standout initiatives recognised were our innovative job carving policy, whereby we identify specific tasks that can be modified or tailored to better suit an employee’s skills and abilities or create a new position for someone with disabilities, and our emphasis on inclusive recruitment.
“This collaborative approach has been instrumental in creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
“I would like to thank everyone who has embraced supported employment over the past year. Their efforts in implementing reasonable adjustments, often in partnership with Employment Support Workers or job coaches, have made a tangible difference in the lives of many.”
Councillor Jeszemma Howl, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Governance and Digital, added: “This was a wonderful opportunity for me to get to hear more about these fabulous programmes, and to feel the absolute passion and dedication of our staff.
“I really believe these are both stars of innovation and worthy of many awards. To be shortlisted in your first year is a massive achievement and testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.”
Among the guests at the event at the ICC in Birmingham last Friday night was Natasha Chander, a lunchtime assistant at the Cherry Street SEND Hub. Natasha’s journey – recruited through a job carved role and a working interview – exemplifies the impact of Wolverhampton’s inclusive employment model.