11:05 am, Tuesday, 3rd October 2023

First SEND Employment Forum cheers young people into work

On Friday 29 September the first SEND Employment Forum was hosted by Annie Cook the Lead EHCP Coordinator for Post 16 at North East Lincolnshire Council.

The event was attended by leads in education and health, local colleges, Care Plus Group, and the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi).

At the event we heard about the current supported internships offer in North East Lincolnshire. Project Search is a supported internship programme offered in partnership with Linkage College and North East Lincolnshire Council at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital. There are other supported internships offered by Linkage College and Grimsby Institute.

The event was held at Linkage College. Attendees got a taste of some of their learners work from their catering students who arranged a continental breakfast for guests.

Guests also discussed how to get more employers on board to offer supported internships to further broaden our offer and cater to students interests in areas like media and IT.

If you are a local employer and would like to learn more about this opportunity please contact AskAnnie@nelincs.gov.uk.

The forum will officially launch at the end of November.

If you are a young person with SEND, or a parent carer planning the transition into adulthood you can speak to Annie directly by text: 07595 122306, or email AskAnnie@nelincs.gov.uk.

She can answer questions about further education, employment, transport, staying involved in the community, money and more.

Visit the Preparation for Adulthood page on the Local Offer. NELC SEND Local Offer | Preparing for adulthood/ post 16 – NELC SEND Local Offer (nelincs.gov.uk)