Young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) moving on to work - supported routes into employment

Planning for a successful future should start as early as possible. It is recommended that conversations about a young person's future should start in Year 9 and involve the young person.

For young people unsure of their next steps during their post-16 education or after completing their education, the council has several teams who can offer supportive advice and guidance. Our DurhamWorks and Durham Enable teams can provide advice and guidance to young people with SEN and not in education, employment or training to explore their college and training options. See our Advice and support services to help young people moving into post-16 education or work page for more information.

When a young person progresses towards adulthood, there are a several routes that are available to support them into employment. Paid work provides a young person financial independence, helps them to meet friends, and benefits their physical and mental health.

Routes into work

Study programmes

A study programme brings together help to get a job and live independently.

A study programme brings together help to get a job and live independently. Study programmes include qualifications, work experience, and life skills. If a young person is not ready to access mainstream post-16 study and learns more effectively in a small group setting or requires additional support, a study programme may be right for them.

Study programmes support young people to progress to further or higher education (HE) or on to employment.

Length of a study programme

Study programmes can be different lengths, depending on the course being studied. Young people will attend a study programme three days per week.

Pay

Although a study programme includes work experience, learners are in education and not employment. This means there is no wage although there may be an education related attendance bursary available.

Organisations which offer study programmes

These study programmes are currently available in County Durham:

Supported internships

Young persons aged between 16 and 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can access a supported internship programme to help them transition into work.

Young persons aged between 16 and 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can access a supported internship programme to help them transition into work. This programme offers hands on work experience, employability skills and the potential of a job at the end. It is mainly based at an employer's workplace, where the young person will learn on the job with support from a job coach, workplace mentor and a tutor. There will also be functional skill coursework, travel training and support to explore career options.

Length of a supported internship

A supported internship will last at least six months, but most are around 12 months long. Students typically access education one day per week and their work experience placement will be three or four days per week.

Pay

Supported internships are unpaid but during the programme a young person will benefit from being part of a real business and develop skills to help them secure paid employment. This means there is no wage although there may be an education related attendance bursary available.

Organisations which offer supported internships

These organisations offer supported internships in County Durham:

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a contracted, paid job with training. They are available in a range of different roles and industries.

An apprenticeship is a contracted, paid job with training. They are available in a range of different roles and industries. As an apprentice, a young person will work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, earn a wage and get holiday and other entitlements. They will also benefit from 'off-the-job' training that develop their skills, knowledge and behaviours to perform better in their role. Apprentices create a portfolio of evidence and complete an end point assessment. The apprenticeship route often leads to further progression in employment, to university, or to a higher or degree apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 or older, and young persons with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can access the support and adjustments necessary to complete their apprenticeship. Their support is funded by Gov.uk: Access to Work which is applied for by their employer or training provider.

Length of an apprenticeship

An apprenticeship needs to be at least 12 months, but it's usually between 15 and 27 months depending on the level. It is possible to do part-time hours, however the apprenticeship would be spread over a longer time period.

Pay

Check the current National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. After 12 months, all apprentices must be paid at least national minimum wage for their age.

Find out more about apprenticeships

Use the Find an apprenticeship service to search and apply for vacancies online. You can also use the site to find out which training providers deliver the apprenticeship you're looking for and contact them for vacancies.

Supported employment

For a young person who is getting ready to or has left education, is an adult and is ready to work but needs support to secure and retain paid employment, this may be an option for them.

For a young person who is getting ready to or has left education, is an adult and is ready to work but needs support to secure and retain paid employment, this may be an option for them. Supported employment is overseen by the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE).

Through supported employment they will receive:

support to identify their aspirations, learning needs, skills, experiences, and job preferences (with carers and support workers involvement)
support with practical job finding and job carving to make sure it suits their needs
an induction in the workplace and ongoing training as well as out of work support if needed
a development plan to record their goals
support with career development beyond the programme

The council has teams allocated to support young persons with SEND to enter into employment, volunteering and short courses: