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Disability Employment Service

If you're looking for work but need support to achieve your goals, our service may be able to help.


The Disability Employment Service (DES) is free for Derbyshire residents who are:

  • aged 18+
  • have a disability or a long-term health condition, including mental health
  • unemployed

How we can help you

We believe that anyone who wants to work, can work including people with disabilities, long-term health conditions and neurodivergence including autism.

Our team can support you to access:

  • employment opportunities
  • training and education
  • work experience or volunteering
  • apprenticeships and supported internships
  • specialist wellbeing services.

We do this by: 

  • getting to know you and learning about your history, knowledge and skills.
  • learning about your disability or health condition so we can help you find the right opportunities for you.
  • giving you details about other services who may be able to help you.
  • helping you create a CV and learn how to update it in the future.
  • helping you to register on job search websites, and to learn how to job search independently.
  • helping you learn other skills such as writing job applications, and with interview techniques.
  • speaking with employers for you to help get the best opportunities for you.
  • speaking with employers about your needs in the workplace and how they can support you.

Our project officers will arrange to meet you face-to-face in the community or you can have appointments on the phone or online.

Get in touch

If you would like any of this support, you can ‘make a referral’ yourself.

Make a referral

For professionals making a referral, please leave your contact details under ‘referrers details’.

You can also email asch.disability.employmentproject@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Or you can leave us a message for someone to get back to you on telephone: 01629 538381  (8am to 4pm Monday to Friday).

DES testimonials

Here's some of the great feedback we've received:

"Without your help and support I would not have attended the event; I would not be in my dream job."
– DES Participant

“You’ve been a big part of turning my life around. It’s been so valuable to have someone who genuinely cares”
– DES Participant

“The project officer was very professional, friendly and extremely helpful.”
– DES Participant

“I have finally got a job. I’m doing a 4-week trial but I’m very positive I’m going to get it anyway. I mostly should be thanking you because without your help on the CV, I might have not got in.”
– DES Participant

“As we all expected B is absolutely thrilled to be part of the team at the farm and loves working with all the animals and meeting all the children and parents. It's been a fabulous experience for her, and it’s had a tremendous impact on her wellbeing and personal confidence level. Just an all-round fantastic experience!”
– Professional working in partnership with the participant.