Supported internships

WHAT’S YOUR NEXT STEP? Supported Internships

– IT’S WORTH THINKING ABOUT

ALL YOUNG PEOPLE FACE CHALLENGES FINDING EMPLOYMENT BUT FOR THE 14% OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES FINDING A JOB IS EVEN MORE COMPLICATED. MANY FACE UNIQUE CHALLENGES PROGRESSING FROM SCHOOL TO FURTHER LEARNING AND THE WORKPLACE

Areport by the Children’s Commissioner in 2018 stated that almost 100,000 children left school without substantive qualifications i.e. level 2 attainment and 45% of these were children with Special Educational Needs. Attainment gaps between Special Educational Needs and non-SEN pupils by age 19 have risen from 26% in 2015 to 33% in 2018, making SEN students the worst affected. Dave Timperley, Commissioning Manager, explains what is happening in Salford. A well-established partnership approach supporting young people in Salford with SEN or AN was established in 2012. Salford City Council, Eccles Sixth Form College, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, The University of Salford and Pure Innovations, have since worked collaboratively to provide a wide range of supported placements for young people aged 16-24 with an EHCP. The journey into work allows a young person to follow a linear pathway from further education with full support from college and dedicated employment coaches provided by Pure Innovations, to aid the sometimes-difficult transition into employment.

During this time, the successful partnership has enabled around 56 young people to complete the internship with 38 moving into

paid work. The pre-employment element of the programme provides an accredited qualification to help young people develop the necessary confidence and skills required for employment. The young people also learn to develop resilience and tools to positively respond to challenges within the modern workplace. They also learn about the benefits that work can bring; not only in creating monetary independence, but in making new friendships and learning new skills which will carry them forward in their future chosen careers.

It’s not only the interns that benefit from the programme. Employers have reported that their teams are enhanced by taking part in the programme. That’s because interns bring a fresh perspective and are eager to learn new skills. This has a positive effect on their teams. University of Salford told us that learners have been a breath of fresh air bringing a unique set of skills to the workplace that has really opened their eyes to new possibilities. Similarly, Salford City Council Managers have reported learners have even challenged their way of doing things which has had a positive effect on employees and the organisation.

The supported internship runs for one academic year and the participants attend 4 days per week. All parents want to see their children thrive and grow in confidence and with welfare benefits unaffected the young people have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking part!

Although Dave is highlighting the work in Salford, he suggests there will be local initiatives throughout the UK and to contact your local council.

The full report is available to download www.childrens commissioner.gov.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2019/09/cco-briefing

children-leaving-school-withnothing.pdf

For further information Dave Timperley can be contacted by email david.timperley@salford.gov.uk

MEET ONE OF OUR INTERNS...

Michael was at college but desperately wanted a job. As soon as he heard about the Supported Internship he enrolled and started in September 2018. Michael had difficulties reading and writing and a lack of confidence in his own abilities. The opportunity came up for him to have a short work experience placement in his college canteen which gave him a real taste for work. Michael then completed his first long-term placement in the mail room at the University of Salford which involved him going out on the delivery van, delivering mail and other items around the university campus. For his second placement Michael was working alongside the caretakers looking after the Maxwell Building at the University. Work tasks included putting up notice boards, classroom set ups/office moves and painting walls. Before the placement started Michael was keen and eager to work but was also concerned about meeting his teammates. He was worried whether he would fit in as Michael was previously quite isolated. A job coach attended the placement with Michael and stayed with him until he felt comfortable. Michael’s confidence soon began to grow! Working with the estates team has given Michael an idea of the type of paid work he would like to go into when he finishes the Internship.