Call for businesses to help young learners with educational needs and/disabilities enter into employment
Weston College is only 1 of 3 SEND Centres for Excellence in the UK. The dedicated team are looking for businesses in Bristol and North Somerset build sustainable futures for young learners by helping with the transition from education to employment. Can you help a young people with SEND transition into work from higher or further education. Weston College can help every employer with any concerns, challenges or barriers you may face with a Supported Internship
Last year, statistics were published by The British Association of Supported Employment (BASE) showing that only 5.1% of people with learning disabilities known to social services are in any form of paid work, but it is known that 65% of people with learning disabilities want to work. In 2022, there were approximately 133,000 EHCPs held by 16-25-year-olds which roughly estimated 4500 young adults, aged 16-25 with additional needs ready to work.
One of the key ambitions of the current SEND reforms is to get more young people with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities into employment. They state:
We know that with the right preparation and support, the overwhelming majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustained, paid employment. Throughout the consultation, we heard repeatedly that children, young people and their families want to be confident that their education is preparing them for work, and that the people working with them share those high ambitions. They want to know what options and pathways are available to them, and what support and adjustments can help them succeed.
Young people with additional needs are more likely to be unemployed or economically inactive than learners without extra requirements. They continue to face many barriers to entering the workplace, particularly for the first time.
What we see is that young people with SEND leave education and struggle to enter the workforce. We want to build a talent pool and support the growth of knowledge of how to truly be an inclusive employer. Weston College are interested in hearing from businesses that can share both good and poor inclusive employment practices, and how best practice could become the norm.
Breaking down the barriers into employment can be daunting but hugely rewarding. Through workshop awareness and short training opportunities provided by the expert team at Weston College, let us help you diversify your team
Contact us today on [email protected] to get involved. Check out our Employer Support options here
Weston College is an Ofsted outstanding college of further and higher education in Weston-super-Mare, 25 minutes from Bristol. Here at Weston, we provide education and vocational training to around 30,000 learners across the South West.
