Employability Task Cards for SEND: 40 Workplace Soft Skills Scenarios, KS4/Post-16 + PfA

Most young people with SEND who lose a first job don’t lose it because they can’t do the tasks. They lose it over the soft skills: being late without letting anyone know, taking correction badly, not knowing what to do when a colleague isn’t pulling their weight. These 40 scenario cards teach those situations before they happen.

What’s included:

• 40 scenario cards covering timekeeping, following instructions, taking feedback, working with colleagues, customers, breaks, phones at work, mistakes and asking for help
• Discussion questions and “what would you do?” options for each card
• A support version with picture cues and multiple choice answers
• A role-play guide for small groups
• A simple progress sheet for tracking which skills a learner can explain and model
• Answer guidance for staff

How to use it:

• Employability or careers lessons in KS4, sixth form or college Entry Level and Foundation Learning groups
• Preparation for supported internships, work experience or a Saturday job
• Small-group sessions led by a TA or job coach
• Evidence towards the Employment outcome in Preparing for Adulthood and EHCP annual reviews

Written in plain, age-respectful language for teenagers and young adults, with situations from shops, cafés, warehouses, offices and care settings.

I’m a teacher with 20+ years in education working with secondary pupils with SEND. I built these after watching too many capable young people struggle at work for reasons nobody had ever taught them.

Print, cut and laminate once, and you’ll use them every year. Also part of my Preparing for Adulthood Pack.

Differentiation ideas: use the picture-supported version with Entry Level groups, and the open-question version with learners heading to Level 1 or 2 courses. Confident learners can write and act out their own scenarios from their work experience.