Education & Skills

TV star encourages

businesses to

employ SEND learners

Young actor Daniel Laurie, famous for his role as Reggie in BBC’s Call the Midwife, has called on businesses to recognise the many benefits of

employing young people with learning disabilities.

Daniel, who has Down’s Syndrome, gave the keynote talk at one of two virtual events led by London South East Colleges. Hosted in partnership with the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), the sessions were aimed at giving practical advice to employers about the recruitment of SEND learners and the many benefits of having a fully inclusive workforce.

London South East Colleges is one of eight FE providers nationally to have been selected by the ETF as an ‘employer spoke’ of its Centres of Excellence in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (CfESEND) - owing to its strong track record of supporting SEND learners into employment. These events are part of a series of activity to help encourage businesses to diversify their workforce. The first event was for employers within the Creative Arts sector and the second was aimed at the Sports and Leisure Industries. Representatives from businesses – including Unicorn Theatre and Charlton Athletic Community Trust who already employ SEND learners - shared their insight and positive experiences. Experts from the College were also on hand to advise delegates on ways to build partnerships with SEND teams in colleges and how best to access funding opportunities. Speaking in a recorded video message, young star Daniel Laurie spoke about his own experiences of working in the creative arts industry and the success he has had. He said: “There are so many different wonderful jobs you can do in the theatre. I love being an actor. They say all you have to do is speak up and don’t bump into the furniture, but most of the hard work comes the day before filming. Preparation is vital! “As my grandfather would say, keep on keeping on. Be yourself, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks or says. Look at me and know that you can do it too.” Commenting on the programme, Rhona Sapsford, Career Pathway Director of SEND ESOL and ALS at London South East Colleges, says: “Through our many years of experience, we know how much value SEND learners can add to businesses – and the benefits to be gained on both sides.

“We are delighted to have hosted these events with the ETF, to provide employers with the information and support they need to work with us and actively recruit young people with learning disabilities. “Having Daniel share his own personal experiences was a huge highlight. His success is testament to his talent and determination as well as the support he has had from his family – and he is an absolute inspiration to many of our own students who are perhaps interested in a career in creative arts.

“Hearing first-hand from employers who already have wonderfully inclusive workforces was also fantastic and I hope this has inspired other businesses to consider offering work experience, internships and employment to these talented young people.” London South East Colleges offers outstanding SEND provision for 16-24-year-olds – supporting them into employment and independent living.

For more information about the ETF’s CfESEND programme, visit: https://send.excellencegateway.org.uk/

❛❛As my grandfather would say, keep on keeping on. Be yourself, don’t worry about what anyone else thinks or says. Look at me and know that you can do it too.❜❜

Education Group Principal

receives CBE from HRH The Prince of Wales

Dr Sam Parrett, Group Principal and CEO of London & South East Education Group, has been presented with her CBE for Services to Education.

The Investiture was led by HRH, The Prince of Wales and took place at Windsor Castle.

Sam’s CBE recognises her ongoing dedication to education at all levels, including the establishment and leading of London South East Academies Trust and her impactful leadership of the Group’s eight-campus further and higher education college. The unique structure of London & South East Education Group is ensuring that that children and young people, many with a range of special educational needs, have access to high quality provision and care throughout their lives. Congratulating Sam on her achievements, Chair of London & South East Education Group, Stephen Howlett CBE, DL says: “I am absolutely delighted to see Sam receiving this very great Honour. She has made, and indeed continues to make, a huge contribution to education – locally, regionally and also nationally in her role as a National Leader of Further Education.

“Sam is deeply passionate about supporting social mobility by providing people with the best possible educational opportunities; helping them to reach their full potential and achieve their career ambitions.

“Myself and all my colleagues wish Sam many congratulations on this remarkable achievement and thank her for her ongoing dedication and hard work.”

Croydon’s

going places

That’s why LSBU are here and committed to this area.

Our new campus is the latest in a string of exciting developments in one of London’s most ambitious areas. Home to big businesses, start-ups and a uniquely South London buzz: we’re playing our part in its future.

Our new home will be in a Grade II listed building, Electric House, in Croydon town centre. With its original purpose of empowering local people to explore new technology in mind, we aim to build on this mission by allowing our students to engage with the latest innovation in technology and build digital innovation. LSBU is here to meet the need for an exceptional civic university powering the future workforce, building sustainable and engaged communities and boosting the region’s standing on a national and global stage. We’re providing ambitious, businessminded Londoners with a brand new business hub, brimming with entrepreneurial spirit, where students, staff and our Croydon community alike gather to share knowledge and ideas. As well as Undergraduate programs in Business Management and Accounting and Finance, LSBU Croydon offers CPD and upskilling short courses, designed to help the local community get into careers and improve their job prospects.

Find out more www.lsbu.ac.uk/croydon

Boost your business with HELP TO GROW at LSBU Croydon

London South Bank University (LSBU) aids the growth and recovery of SMEs in Croydon with its government subsidised Help to Grow programme. The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic have been challenging for all businesses and led to sharp a drop in economic activity in the UK, with SMEs being hit the hardest and now requiring the most support in their recovery.

There are six million SMEs in the UK which account for over 99% of all businesses, 33% of employment and 21% of all turnover – so the effect on the UK economy will be felt for a long time unless they are prioritised in receiving support.

Over recent years there has been increasing demand for fairer government funding and investment in south London, coming from the public, the council and members of parliament. LSBU is taking action in supporting business growth in south London and the Croydon area with this subsidised programme, designed and delivered around the needs of business owners. Participants of Help to Grow receive multi-faceted training to develop strategic skills to increase their business’ long-term productivity, resilience and capacity to innovate. Some of the key benefits to business leaders include peer support, one-to-one mentoring, a hybrid learning environment and access to an alumni network. Let’s explore what the programme entails.

ACCESSIBLE TRAINING

The fact that Help to Grow is a 90% government funded programme means that specialised business growth training becomes accessible and affordable, especially in the wake of unprecedented disruption when SME debt has increased significantly.

EXPERT-LED

Participants will learn directly from industry-leading facilitators, trainers and support leaders, who have been handpicked based on their knowledge and understanding of the challenges faced by SMEs. All have extensive experience in either leading small businesses to success or are experts in their particular business discipline, meaning business owners will find the support they need to achieve their individual business goals.

PEER SUPPORT

Peer group sessions provide an invaluable opportunity for business owners to share ideas, challenges and successes in a confidential and supportive environment. Peer collaboration allows participants to gain insightful and objective viewpoints that help tackle problems from a different perspective and feed directly into plans for business development.

ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING

Navigating an ever-changing economic climate is more challenging than ever, so receiving tailored advice to reach individual business goals can vastly impact success. Each participant receives 10 hours of dedicated support from an experienced mentor to develop a business growth plan unique to their needs and ambition.

FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID

Designed with business owners in mind, the programme is manageable alongside full-time work and fits around busy working schedules. The combination of virtual and face-to-face learning allows flexibility whilst retaining the same level of high-quality teaching. In times of uncertainty, business owners need to equip themselves with a robust business plan that mitigates risks, accounts for varying scenarios, and keeps operations agile and resilient against external influences. The Help to Grow programme takes participants through the four key stages of Innovate, Market, Build and Grow, to create a realistic and valuable Growth Action Plan specifically for their business. Current participant Liam Oliver has already seen the benefits of attending the course and says: “The whole course has been invaluable in changing my mindset towards the growth of the company. We move into this year with natural growth but the course has changed the conversation between myself and the other directors, enabling us to start planning strategically. The sessions with the mentor have been extremely useful in focusing on a strategic growth plan for the business.”