Employ My Ability

22/05/2026

📣Still time to apply! We are hiring across a range of roles in Dorset, some with closing dates soon.

🟢 Deputy Head of Education, Gillingham North Dorset
https://employmyability.org.uk/deputy-head-of-education-gill-2026/

🟢 Speech & Language Therapist - Gillingham
https://employmyability.org.uk/job-speech-and-language-therapist-gillingham-dorset/

🟢 NEW - Office Receptionist & Administrator, Moreton
https://employmyability.org.uk/job-office-receptionist-administrator-may-2026/

Find all the details on our website. 🙂

12/05/2026

✅Creativity and Confidence on Display: Sophie’s Art Exhibition

Supporting students to build confidence and strengthen communication with others is a key part of the experience at EMA, and student Sophie has worked hard recently to develop these skills. Today, she held an exhibition of her personal art pieces as a way to step out of her comfort zone and share her passions with students and staff at college.

🎨Sophie set up a room with different pieces she has produced, and talked visitors through her work and her thought process behind the different styles, textures, and ideas – with everything from textiles, collages, drawings, paintings, and hand-painted models. Some were finished, some were works in progress – the room showcased a diverse mix of styles and feelings, and she was happily able to chat with people about everything on display.

🗣“When I was at school I never felt like I was any good, and that my drawing was rubbish, but as time has gone on I’ve tried to dedicate more of my free time to practising my techniques and trying different styles. I’ve always been so nervous about what people might think, and even when they say something is good I have a hard time believing them, so I’m trying to push myself to be better and put myself out there.” – Sophie

🗣“She has made excellent progress in communicating with other people who are interested in her art. Previously she was worried about people being judgemental, but now she is able to accept that there is genuine interest, and she can be proud. This is a great achievement in helping to meet her social, emotional, and mental health needs.” – Anthea, Learning Support Worker

🔗Hear more from Sophie, on our website:
https://employmyability.org.uk/student-art-exhibition/

08/05/2026

Want to work at EMA? Take a look at the latest job listings on our website!

🗣"EMA is a fantastic place to work. Even though I’ve only been here a short time, I’ve been made to feel very welcome and part of the team. I love working here because it gives me the opportunity to provide meaningful support to our young people, and see the amazing progress they make first-hand." - Sarah, Tutor

🗣"Working at EMA offers such a variety – each day is different, bringing opportunity to learn and grow! I love being part of the incredible team of warm dedicated people who truly care and help to make EMA a welcoming and inclusive environment for both staff and students alike." - Cassandra, Education Administrator

🗣"I have been at EMA for over 4 years and it's such a lovely place to work. Seeing the difference you can make providing support, encouragement and belief in the students is so rewarding." - Kerry, Learning Support Worker

If you’re interested in joining a dedicated and friendly team committed to supporting young people with SEND in education and their next steps, and feel one of our current roles could be right for you, we’d love to hear from you!

All details can be found on the website (link in comments!). 😃

05/05/2026

💼Job: Deputy Head of Education, Gillingham North Dorset

🌳EMA is seeking an experienced and passionate individual to join us as Deputy Head of Education, supporting the leadership and development of our specialist education provision at our Gillingham campus in North Dorset.

Please visit our website for the full details and an application form. Thank you!

🔗 https://employmyability.org.uk/deputy-head-of-education-gill-2026/

EMA is seeking an individual to join us as Deputy Head of Education at our specialist education provision in Gillingham, North Dorset.

27/04/2026

We're excited to welcome people to our campuses in Moreton and Gillingham this week as we host our EMA Open Days - AND our Supported Internship Drop-In session in Dorchester 😃

These events allow parents, carers, and young people to get a first hand look at all the diverse opportunities we offer individuals with SEND in Dorset. We look forward to meeting you!

🌳Moreton Open Day - Tues 28th April
🕒10am-2pm
📍Moreton Campus, The Walled Garden Moreton, Dorset

💼Supported Internship Drop-In - Tues 28th April
🕒3pm-5pm
📍5 Antelope Walk, Dorchester

🌳Gillingham Open Day - Thurs 30th April
🕒10am-2pm
Gillingham Campus, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset

All details for these events can be found on our website. Get in touch today to book your open day guided tour, or RSPV for the supported internship drop-in!

23/04/2026

🌱Developing skills and promoting positive wellbeing at the allotment!

Our Seed2Plate students Dylan and George, along with Dorset Community Action Supported Internship intern Maisie, have shown amazing determination and teamwork as they bring their allotment project in Wareham to life. During the wet weather, they spent time carefully planning the space, and now they’re making those ideas a reality - building not just growing beds, but confidence and independence too.

🗣“We have dug over and weeded the plot, measured out and put together the bed sections. This week we will be putting the plastic growhouse together and levelling out the beds, ready for planting next week.” - Lydia, Enterprise Co-ordinator for Dorset Community Action

✅These hands-on activities help develop and hone practical skills, concentration, problem-solving, and a strong sense of ownership over their work. Each step of the process gives students the opportunity to work collaboratively, and see the direct results of their efforts.

👩‍🌾Projects like Seed 2 Plate go far beyond gardening. They support physical wellbeing, encourage responsibility, and provide a calm, therapeutic space where students can thrive. The results so far show what our young people are capable of achieving when given the opportunity and support to succeed.

We’re excited to see how the allotment grows over the coming weeks, alongside the skills and confidence of the students themselves!

22/04/2026

📣EMA is hiring! We currently have a wide range of job opportunities at our specialist college here in Dorset. 😃

🟢 Pastoral Lead – Moreton
🟢 Curriculum Quality Coordinator – Moreton/Gillingham
🟢 Preparation for Adulthood & Next Steps Coordinator – Moreton/Wareham
🟢 Skills for Employment, Training & Personal Development Tutor – Moreton
🟢 Learning Support Worker – Gillingham
🟢 Education Administrator (Maternity Cover) – Moreton
🟢 Speech & Language Therapist - Gillingham

Also from EMA Social Care
🟢 Day Opportunities Support Worker – Gillingham

🔗 Detailed listings, job descriptions and person specifications can be found on our website: https://employmyability.org.uk/jobs/

If you’re interested in joining a dedicated and friendly team committed to supporting young people with SEND in education and their next steps, and feel one of these roles could be right for you, we’d love to hear from you!

21/04/2026

📣EMA EVENTS NEXT WEEK!📣

Stop by to discover all the pathways we offer young people with SEND in Dorset!

🌳Moreton Open Day - Tues 28th April
🕒10am-2pm
📍Moreton Campus, The Walled Garden Moreton, Dorset

💼Supported Internship Drop-In - Tues 28th April
🕒3pm-5pm
📍5 Antelope Walk, Dorchester

🌳Gillingham Open Day - Thurs 30th April
🕒10am-2pm
Gillingham Campus, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset

🟢 Preparation For Adulthood
🟢 Support For Employment
🟢 Supported Internships
🟢 Transitions

All details can be found on our website. Get in touch today to book your open day guided tour, or RSPV for the supported internship drop-in!

16/04/2026

🗣"EMA provide a safe space for George, where he can be out of the home, and it’s ok to be George. The staff have quickly grasped a good understanding of him and all his quirks. EMA is very unique, very calm, very tranquil. Just what he needs” - George's Mum

George’s journey at EMA along with feedback from his parent, highlights the positive impact of a personalised, compassionate approach, tailored to his complex needs. ✅

Through his sensory-led learning environment, George is enabled to try new experiences and engage more with the world around him. Staff adapt their support and respond sensitively to his non-verbal communication, while providing regular opportunities for choice-making and self-expression. This allows him to access learning through meaningful and diverse sensory activities that support engagement, attention and emotional regulation.

📖 Read more of George’s story on our website and see how our EMA Gillingham campus in North Dorset supports him - and others with SEND and PMLD - to achieve their goals.

🔗https://employmyability.org.uk/georges-journey/

08/04/2026

🌳Developing skills and independence through work experience!

We’re proud to share a brilliant first work experience session at St Martins House for Gillingham students Lillie and Saffron. Both students have been able to take skills they’ve learnt in our hospitality training kitchen and pop-up cafés, and apply them to a real work setting.

For their first session just before the Easter break, they got straight to work, starting by cleaning, and preparing the dining area before carefully setting tables for lunch. This included placing cutlery, serviettes, condiments, and organising water jugs and glasses for residents.

They then spent time in the coffee lounge meeting residents, building confidence in a real workplace setting and developing their communication skills. In the kitchen, they supported with washing up, learned how the dishwasher works, and shown important processes such as oven use and temperature recording.

🗣“It was great to see Lillie growing in confidence - asking and answering questions and engaging positively throughout the session. Saffron showed a brilliant attitude, getting stuck in straight away and sharing that she really enjoyed the experience.” – Natalie, Tutor

This session supported a range of positive outcomes, including:
✅Developing communication and social interaction skills
✅Following instructions and completing tasks within set timeframes
✅Building independence and confidence in a workplace environment

A brilliant start for both students - we’re looking forward to seeing their continued progress and will check-in again before the end of the new term!

Magna Housing

03/04/2026

🌳EMA Supported Internships - One year programmes with established Dorset employers!

Is someone you know looking for the next steps in finding their future? Supported Internships are a practical way for young people (16-25) with an EHCP to develop skills with our employment partners and kick-start their careers.

👩‍🍳👩‍🌾👨‍💻On-site experience
💼 Work skills
🚌Travel Training
✅Tailored support

All Supported Internships come with a dedicated job coach, and are designed to get young people with SEND on the path to paid work.

Why wait? Apply today and find out more! 😃

Call us: 01929 405685
Email us: referrals@employmyability.org.uk
New placements from September 2026