Stroud / Gloucestershire pilot now being explored
Small roles. Real purpose. Genuine contribution.
Supported Enterprise helps people with SEND, learning disabilities and autism build small, realistic supported roles that give them purpose, structure and a sense of contribution.
Many people we support do not want life to only be about being helped, supervised or kept occupied. They want to feel useful. They want to be needed. They want something to say when someone asks: “What do you do?”
For some people, open employment may not be realistic right now. But that does not mean they have nothing to offer.
Sometimes the right role is smaller, simpler and more supported.
And sometimes that small role can make a very big difference.
The first pathway
Helping people build a supported dog-care role they can be proud of.
Our first pathway helps people work towards a small supported dog-walking or dog-care role.
This could be:
- walking a neighbour’s dog once a week with support
- helping with a support worker’s dog
- supporting a family dog routine
- visiting a familiar dog with staff
- becoming known locally as someone who helps with dogs
- receiving a small donation or thank-you for a role they are proud of
“I help with dogs.”
“I walk the dog on Tuesdays.”
“People know me for this.”
Why this matters
People need more than activities. They need to feel needed.
Over many years supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and SEND, we have seen how powerful small roles can be.
A person who is often supported by others can begin to see themselves differently when they have something to contribute.
It might look simple from the outside. Walking a dog. Helping with a routine. Being trusted with a small task. Receiving a thank-you. Having a regular role in the week.
But for the person, it can mean getting out of the house, spending less time on screens, being physically active, having a reason to get ready, interacting with neighbours and the public, building confidence, feeling trusted, feeling useful and having something to talk about.
The role may be small. The impact may not be.
What a small role can create
- a reason to get out of the house
- less time on screens
- fresh air and exercise
- a regular routine
- natural contact with neighbours and the public
- confidence and responsibility
- a sense of being trusted
- something to look forward to
- something to be proud of
Why dog-care?
Because it is realistic, motivating and transferable.
Dogs are part of ordinary life.
In almost every community there are family dogs, neighbours’ dogs, staff dogs, Shared Lives dogs, support workers’ dogs and local people who may be open to a supported arrangement if it is set up carefully.
That makes dog-care one of the few meaningful roles that can often continue beyond a single setting.
The person does not need a specialist workplace. They do not need to be ready for unsupported employment.
They need:
- a suitable dog
- a clear routine
- the right support
- simple safety boundaries
- a way to explain the role
- evidence of what works
With those things in place, many people can contribute in a way that feels real. Even where support is still needed, the person can still have a role.
What the pathway provides
We package the role so it can actually happen.
Not just:
“They like dogs.”
But:
“This is the role they can do, this is the support they need, this is how it is presented, and this is how it could continue.”
The pathway may include
- suitability conversation
- supported dog-care practice
- visual checklist or role card
- simple dog-walking or dog-care routine
- safe route or enclosed-field practice
- staff support guidance
And practical role materials
- walk or visit log
- introduction card or poster
- lanyard or role identity
- evidence of progress
- final Supported Dog-Care Pack
- transfer plan for home, Shared Lives, supported living or another setting
The aim is to make the role feel real to the person and understandable to everyone around them.
What participants work towards
A real supported role, at the right level.
For one person, it may be walking a calm, familiar dog with staff support once a week.
For another, it may be preparing the lead, checking the route, walking part of the way and recording the walk afterwards.
For another, it may be visiting a known dog, helping with feeding, brushing or companionship.
For another, it may be wearing their role lanyard, greeting the owner, holding the lead for part of the walk and giving a simple update at the end.
Evidence that shows what is genuinely possible.
Evidence and outcomes
What can they do, what support helps, and what could continue?
We capture evidence so families, colleges, providers and professionals can see what the person can actually do and what support helps them succeed.
what motivates the person
what dog-care tasks they can complete
what prompts they need
what support keeps the role safe
how they manage routine and change
how they communicate with staff or dog owners
how they respond to the dog
how confidence develops
how the role could continue elsewhere
This can support planning and review conversations.
The evidence can support Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, EHCP reviews, care-plan outcomes, supported living goals, personal budget reviews, transition planning, family updates, work-readiness evidence and meaningful activity evidence.
The aim is honest, practical evidence — showing what works, what support is needed, and what could realistically continue.
The Supported Dog-Care Pack
A role that can move with the person.
At the end of the pathway, the person can have a simple Supported Dog-Care Pack.
This means the role is not locked inside the programme. It can be taken to a family home, supported living placement, Shared Lives arrangement, care setting or another community.
The pack may include
role title
strengths
what they can do
what support they need
safety guidance
preferred routines
visual checklist
walk log template
introduction card
poster template
lanyard or role card
suggested wording for families, carers or providers
next-step plan
Who this is for
The person does not need to be independent.
They do need to have enough interest and potential for a supported dog-care role to be realistic.
- enjoys dogs
- wants to feel useful
- benefits from routine
- can engage with a supported task
- may not be ready for open employment
- would benefit from a visible role
- can develop safety awareness with support
- needs meaningful activity that could continue beyond a placement
- is preparing for adulthood or moving on from college
- lives with family, in Shared Lives, supported living or another care setting
Who this is not for
This is not a general dog activity group.
It may not be suitable where someone is very fearful of dogs, is unpredictable or unsafe around animals, cannot follow safety prompts at all, would be distressed by dog behaviour, has support needs that cannot be safely managed in this type of setting, or has no realistic pathway towards a supported dog-care role.
Suitability is discussed before any place is offered.
The aim is to create roles that are meaningful, safe and honest.
Built from real experience
Over 30 years of combined experience supporting people with SEND, learning disabilities and autism.
Supported Enterprise has been created by Robin Roodenburg and Lizday Sanchez.
Together, we bring over 30 years of combined experience supporting people with SEND, learning disabilities and autism across Shared Lives, education, residential care, community support and practical life-skills settings.
We have seen first-hand how small roles can change how someone sees themselves.
In Shared Lives and community support settings, we have supported people to take part in everyday roles — walking dogs, helping with routines, taking responsibility for small tasks, being known for something, and feeling proud of what they contribute.
These roles may look simple. But when someone begins to say:
“I do that.”
“That’s my job.”
“They need me.”
something important changes.
Pilot enquiries
We are currently exploring a small local pilot.
The Canine Supported Enterprise Pathway is currently being developed in the Stroud / Gloucestershire area.
We are speaking with families, colleges, Shared Lives carers, supported living providers and care professionals who know someone who may benefit from building a supported dog-care role.
The pilot may include:
suitability conversation
structured weekly sessions
supported dog-walking or dog-care practice
visual routines and role cards
evidence of progress
support guidance
final Supported Dog-Care Pack
transfer plan for the next setting
Pilot enquiries welcome
Could someone you support build a small dog-care role?
If you support someone who loves dogs and may benefit from a meaningful supported role, we would be happy to have an initial conversation.
This may be especially relevant if they want to feel useful, need more purpose in the week, are preparing for adulthood, spend too much time indoors or on screens, enjoy dogs but need structure and support, or would benefit from a realistic role they can take into adult life.
Stroud / Gloucestershire · Pilot enquiries welcome