Futures Employer Award
Recognising teams that create opportunities and experiences to inspire our young people
Empowering neurodiversity in the workplace
In collaboration with The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity we want to recognise businesses and entrepreneurs who lead the way in creating workplace cultures and environments that both celebrate neurodiversity and accelerate the futures of young people when entering their career pathway.
For this reason, we have developed two awards, the Futures Employer Award for businesses and the Futures Inspirational Award for entrepreneurs. The awards recognise the commitment of teams and individuals who have created opportunities and experiences to encourage and inspire aspirational futures for young people with a wide range of special educational needs.
Who qualifies for the award?
Engaging, supporting and mentoring neurodiverse young people in their preparation for life beyond education and their first steps into their chosen career.
Creating pathways into employment for neurodiverse young people through inclusive experiences, work placements and recruitment processes.
Celebrating and enabling greater understanding around neurodiversity within a company’s employee base, which in turn creates working environments that empower and enable all staff to thrive and succeed.
Our first recipient...
The first Futures Employer Award was proudly presented to Roadchef. Their commitment to providing opportunities and experiences for children and young people in schools across our Group has played a pivotal role in securing this accolade.
How we will support you
Working Together
In collaboration with our Futures Team, we will assist you in achieving full recognition as a Futures Employer, ultimately establishing pathways to success. Creating inspirational engagement and meaningful pathways for neurodiverse young people will enable them to step forward into the futures they deserve.
Expert-led Training
We will deliver a combination of expert-led training, incorporating both virtual and in-person sessions, aimed at enhancing understanding, awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity in the workplace. This initiative is designed to empower teams to flourish in inclusive and diverse environments.
Opportunities To Inspire
Joining the Futures programme will mean you have continuous access to support, ranging from our Future Ambassador sessions in our schools, the Day in the Life visits to your workplace to regional Futures Roadshows, Futures work placements, and the Futures Mentoring programme.
Creating Pathways Into Employment
We will work with you to understand the future employment opportunities available and assist in both promoting these to appropriate young people and creating support pathways.
What do Futures Award members receive?
- Both the WG Futures Employer Award or the Futures Inspirational Award are accredited by The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity
- Credibility and respect for being named as one of the leading Neurodiverse Friendly organisations in the UK
- Award brand collateral to display on marketing materials, website, etc.
- Access to continued free expert-led training, resources and support
- Membership of Employer Advisory Panel
- Invite to the annual Futures celebration event
Interested?
Please contact futures@witherslackgroup.co.uk or speak to the WG Futures Team directly.
There are no financial costs to either working towards the award or achieving the final status, the award is all about supporting companies, such as yours, to empower young people into the careers and futures they deserve, and celebrating and recognising great practice to encourage other companies to follow.