Voices of Supported Employment is the podcast from DurhamEnable, Durham County Council’s Supported Employment service.
Each episode brings together people with disabilities, employers, job coaches and Supported Employment practitioners to share real experiences of employment, inclusion and positive change.
Discover how the Supported Employment model helps people overcome barriers, develop their strengths and achieve meaningful employment goals. Hear how job coaches provide personalised support and how employers can create accessible, inclusive workplaces in which everyone feels safe, seen and supported.
Through honest conversations, practical insights and inspiring stories, Voices of Supported Employment explores disability employment, workplace inclusion, employer engagement, reasonable adjustments, job coaching and the value of a diverse workforce.
Join us as we challenge perceptions, celebrate success and work towards a more inclusive world of work.
A Day in the Life of a Job Coach, PART ONE: Supporting the Journey into Self-Employment
What does a day in the life of a Supported Employment job coach really involve?
In Part One of this special Voices of Supported Employment episode, Bambi follows DurhamEnable job coach Laura as she supports Holly with the final preparations for launching her crochet business.
The episode explores the practical realities of self-employment, including insurance, packaging, postage, pricing, record keeping, equipment and grant funding. It also demonstrates how job coaches break complicated tasks into manageable steps without taking control of the decisions.
Laura discusses the importance of celebrating progress, promoting independence, working with specialist organisations and considering the wider achievements that can influence someone’s employment journey. She also reflects on the planning, flexibility and continued professional learning required to provide effective, person-centred job coaching.
DurhamEnable Website (https://durhamenable.info/)
13 Oct 2026
The Art of the Vocational Profile: Getting to Know the Whole Person
In this episode of Voices of Supported Employment, Bambi French is joined by DurhamEnable colleagues Mel, Richard and Sarah to explore the art of vocational profiling and its role within the Supported Employment model.
The team discusses how vocational profiles help job coaches understand an individual’s skills, strengths, interests, routines, support needs and employment aspirations. They explain why the profile is a working, co-produced document rather than a one-off form or tick-box exercise.
Featuring practical examples, the episode explores observation, circles of support, workplace visits, travel, accessible information, disability disclosure and reasonable adjustments. It demonstrates how a detailed, person-centred vocational profile can create the foundation for the right job match.
DurhamEnable Website (https://durhamenable.info/)
6 Oct 2026
The Front Door to Supported Employment: Engaging Jobseekers Through Person-Centred Triage
In this episode of Voices of Supported Employment, Mel Kearney is joined by DurhamEnable triage advisers Hannah Seddon and Paula Wilson to explore stage one of the Supported Employment model: engaging jobseekers.
They discuss how accessible communication, flexible appointments and person-centred initial assessments can help build trust from the first contact. The conversation covers circles of support, easy-read information, zero rejection, employment motivation, consent, disclosure and supported signposting.
Featuring practical examples from the triage process, this episode demonstrates how meeting people where they are can create a positive introduction to Supported Employment and help each person identify the right next step.
DurhamEnable Website (https://durhamenable.info/)
29 Sept 2026
We’re Back: The Impact and Future of Voices of Supported Employment
Voices of Supported Employment is back. In the opening episode of the new series, Bambi French, Ramsay Taylor and Mel Kearney reflect on the podcast’s first series, its impact on Supported Employment practice and the value of sharing authentic stories from jobseekers, employers and practitioners.
The team discusses staff learning, continuous professional development, inclusive employment, employer partnerships and the importance of measuring success through real-world impact, not only downloads. They also preview upcoming episodes covering vocational profiling, job coaching, inclusive recruitment, practitioner development and a day in the life of a job coach.
DurhamEnable Website (https://durhamenable.info/)
British Association for Supported Employment (https://base-uk.org/)
24 Jun 2025
The 12 Core Values of Supported Employment with James Merrington (Part Two)
James Merrington explores the core values of supported employment, focusing on social inclusion and career development for individuals with disabilities in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
The 12 Core Values of Supported Employment with James Merrington (Part One)
James Merrington discusses the 12 core values of supported employment, highlighting inclusion, equal opportunities, and individualised support for people with disabilities in this interview.
10 Jun 2025
The Job Coach role: Empowering Independence with Corey Irons and Ken Hope
Job coaches Corey Irons and Ken Hope examine supported employment techniques, including trust-building and customized training, to empower job seekers toward independence in this interview.
3 Jun 2025
The Five Stage Model of Supported Employment (Part Two) with Ramsay Taylor and Mel Kearney
Ramsay Taylor and Mel Kearney explore employer engagement, job matching, and in-work support within supported employment, highlighting inclusivity and the role of job coaches in ensuring successful employment outcomes in this interview.
27 May 2025
The Five Stage Model of Supported Employment (Part One) with Ramsay Taylor and Mel Kearney
Ramsay Taylor and Mel Kearney explore the five-stage model of supported employment, focusing on engaging job seekers and vocational profiling to achieve positive employment outcomes in this interview.
20 May 2025
Opening Doors: The Power of Supported Employment with Tracey Rowlands
In this episode, Tracy Rowlands shares her inspiring journey from facing personal challenges, including depression and the search for a diagnosis of autism, to successfully finding employment with the support of Durham Enable.
She discusses the importance of routine, the role of job coaching, and how building confidence through various courses helped her secure a job she loves at the university.
Tracy emphasizes the significance of believing in oneself and the value of support systems in overcoming obstacles and achieving success
DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION (https://durhamenable.info/)
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE) (https://www.base-uk.org/)
employment, mental health, support, autism, confidence, job coaching, success stories, disability, personal growth, Durham Enable
16 May 2025
What Supported Employment has meant for me with Megan Welton
In this conversation, Bambi French and Megan Welton discuss the significance of supported employment, Megan's personal journey with disabilities, and the challenges she faced in the workplace.
They explore the concept of job carving, the importance of recognizing individual strengths, and the transformative impact of supportive environments. Megan shares her experiences with various disabilities, her early work challenges, and how she found her place within a Supported Employment service.
The discussion emphasizes the need for advocacy, understanding, and the courage to seek help in navigating employment with disabilities.
DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION (https://durhamenable.info/)
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE) (https://www.base-uk.org/)
supported employment, disabilities, neurodivergence, job carving, accessibility, mental health, employment challenges, personal journey, advocacy, technology
14 May 2025
What Supported Employment has Meant for Me: Alison Stephenson
In this conversation, Alison shares her journey of overcoming personal challenges related to her disabilities and how these experiences shaped her into a supportive employer.
She discusses the importance of resilience, the role of Supported Employment, and the need for businesses to understand and embrace diversity in the workplace.
Alison emphasises that motivation is a key factor in employment success and reflects on her commitment to providing opportunities for those who are often overlooked in the job market.
DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION (https://durhamenable.info/)
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE) (https://www.base-uk.org/)
Supported Employment, Disability Awareness, Resilience, Personal Journey, Inclusive Workplaces, Motivation, Employment Challenges, Business Leadership, Autism, Deafness
12 May 2025
What Supported Employment has Meant for Me: Bambi French
Bambi French introduces the Voices of Supported Employment podcast, sharing her personal journey with visual impairment and the impact of Supported Employment on her life. She reflects on her experiences in education, the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, and the importance of advocacy and support in the workplace. Bambi emphasises the transformational change that Supported Employment can bring and expresses her desire to spread awareness through this podcast.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
EPISODE 1 TRANSCRIPT
DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION (https://durhamenable.info/)
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE) (https://www.base-uk.org/)
supported employment, disability, podcast, personal journey, inclusion, job coaching, transformation, advocacy, education, workplace support
29 Apr 2025
Voices of Supported Employment Trailer
Introducing Voices of Supported Employment, a podcast by DurhamEnable. Hosted by Bambi French, each episode will explore a new and exciting angle of Supported Employment.
Featuring interviews with DurhamEnable staff, jobseekers, and employers, Voices of Supported Employment celebrates the people and the businesses that have benefited from the support of services like DurhamEnable.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
DURHAM ENABLE WEBSITE & CONTACT INFORMATION (https://durhamenable.info/)
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT (BASE) (https://www.base-uk.org/)
supported employment, disability, podcast, personal journey, inclusion, job coaching, transformation, advocacy, education, workplace support
Who has been a guest on Voices of Supported Employment
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
James Merrington
Corey Irons
Ken Hope
Ramsay Taylor
Mel Kearney
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
40
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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