SEND
“Each intern is assigned a job coach, who completes a task analysis for each new skill the intern learns. The task analysis breaks tasks into smaller, easy to follow steps so that interns complete the same process each time. This enables them to learn through repetition and gives them confidence that they are doing the work correctly. The job coach provides one-to- one support until the intern is able to complete the tasks to the expectations of the employer. They also act as a bridge between the intern and employer, providing advice to both parties on how to handle situations that arise in the workplace. Once the student can complete tasks independently, the job coach fades their support, continuing to observe and regularly review, to ensure the ongoing success of the placement.
Training employers
“In addition to supporting the SEND students through their internships, employers are offered disability training, as many have little or no experience of working with people with learning difficulties and disabilities. This enables employers and their staff to understand the advantages of working with the interns and appreciate the skills and attributes that they can contribute to the team.
“I haven’t experienced prejudice from employers, instead a sense of the unknown and a fear of upsetting potential employees with disabilities. The support we offer employers is proving vitally important, improving their understanding and building their confidence, which in turn is resulting in better prospects for SEND students.
“Supported Internships essentially offer a stepping stone, with a safety net, to a young person’s future, while at the same time educating and familiarising employers with the benefits of employing people with learning difficulties and disabilities.
wanted to work in business, so the college approached Holiday Inn. With his job coach in support, he passed the interview and started working three days a week as a volunteer. “Michael makes hot chocolates and lattes, clears tables, takes orders and card payments. His coach continued to support him as he began to learn the ropes, but after two weeks he was able to carry out his duties independently. Michael successfully gained his qualifications early and in April 2017 commenced permanent employment at Holiday Inn. They were so delighted with Michael’s success and have taken on more supported interns this September.
“Darren Hayward, who is General Manager of Holiday Inn Milton Keynes, has told me he is “delighted to be associated with the college and the Supported Internships programme. Finding team members who have a passion for what they do can be a challenge”, Darren says, “but this programme has introduced us to young adults who have the passion and drive, but simply need a leg up at the start".
“We are very excited about the potential the Supported Internships brings to us for employing team members with a natural passion and enthusiasm for hospitality. The dedication and commitment from professional Personal Tutors offers the students the assistance needed to get it right at the start of the employment process and cross the hurdles that may otherwise prevent success,” says Darren.
Michael The interns
“One student, Michael, has mental health issues and a learning difficulty. Accepted onto a Supported Internship programme at Milton Keynes College, he explored his long-term aspirations. Michael was keen to earn his own living and likes to help people. His profile matched hospitality or a caring role. He said he
“Another student, Cameron, who has short- term memory issues and had no reading or writing, was this year awarded the Andrew Peck Award at Milton Keynes College’s Student of the Year Awards. Cameron was selected out of the entire student body for his outstanding achievement, gaining recognition for his exceptional progress throughout the academic year. Cameron went from being unable to read the letters of the alphabet to understanding them all, being able to read and write the first 100 high frequency words and being able to do basic addition and subtraction. He has recently gained permanent employment at Decathlon, where he carried out his Supported Internship year.
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www.education-today.co.uk
“Michael and Cameron are just two examples of the many success stories that Milton Keynes College is seeing with its SEND students.
Cameron - Student of the Year Making a difference
“I truly believe that the Supported Internships programme is making a real difference to these young people’s lives. For every condition there is a job, it’s just a case of finding the right role for the individual. And employers are benefiting too, with hard working employees who value what they do and are proud to give it their all.
“The College is working closely with employers to support future generations of SEND students into work, and close the gap between disabled and non-disabled people in permanent employment. With positive results for the programme so far, I hope that more employers will embrace the Supported Internships scheme, so that more young people with SEND can rely on a system that will provide increased opportunities to a fulfilling future career.
For more information about Milton Keynes College and its programme of support for SEND students, please go to
www.mkcollege.ac.uk
October 2017
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