Call for Solent businesses to offer work experience for students with special educational needs

Businesses in the Solent are being asked if they can offer work experience opportunities to students with special educational needs (SEND).

The appeal comes from the Solent Careers Hub, which has been working with schools providing careers education to SEND students, engaging with local companies to help them take their first steps into the world of work.

Solent Partners has launched a video which shows the positivity and career goals of pupils at The Cedar School, a special educational needs establishment.

It is hoped the film will inspire local business owners in sectors such as catering, engineering, IT and graphic design to open their doors to these students.

Aaron, a student at The Cedar School in Southampton, says: “I’m really good at fixing stuff, bikes and cars. If you ask me to fix anything I’ll do my best – I just like to help people.”

Solent Partners Chair, Rachael Randall, said: “Local businesses getting involved with schools in their area can give inspirational young people such as these students from Cedar School, an insight into the world of work and help them utilise their skills to get their careers under way.

“This film clearly illustrates that SEND pupils are just as excited and capable of pursuing their career goals as those in mainstream education. Their enthusiasm and ambition is palpable in it, and the film buzzes with positivity about their prospects. “

The Cedar School reported a marked improvement in their careers work and planning after working with the Solent Partners Careers Hub. They encourage other schools to engage with them.

Imogen Bradfield, management trainee at Willmott Dixon said: “Through the Solent Careers Hub, we helped to organise the Enterprise Week at The Cedar School. As a business, we learned that to make jobs accessible within construction, the changes can really be quite minimal.”

Larni Harris, Solent Partners Enterprise Coordinator, added: “From an employer’s perspective, coming into a special educational needs school allows them to appreciate the differences that their young people have and then be able to look inwardly at their organisation so they can be more accessible for young people with SEN or (a) disability.”

• https://solentpartners.com/

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