Breaking Barriers: Multiple Perspectives on a Project SEARCH Supported Internship

ISEND Research Cluster Symposium

This event will be of particular interest to schools, parents/carers of children and young people with Education Health Care Plans, and those interested in improving outcomes and employment for young people with disabilities. 

Event timings: 5:30-6:40 (refreshments provided from 5:00pm and networking till 7:00pm)

Cost: no charge for this event

To book 

Symposium Description

The National Audit Office (2011) estimated that supporting people with a learning disability into employment would increase that person’s income by between 55 and 95 per cent, and would also have a positive effect on an individual’s independence and self-esteem. That said, young people with learning disabilities are twice as likely to not be in education, employment, or training (NEET) (ONS, 2015). These outcomes are problematic at a societal and economic level, but critically are an issue for young people with learning disabilities who will not be able to experience work. Work is important for a multitude of reasons over and above the provision of an income; offering structure to people’s lives, it can be an opportunity for personal control and for skill development and is inextricably linked with identity.

The focus of this symposium is on Supported Internships (SIs); these are educational programmes that connect colleges and sixth forms with organisations providing work placements for young people with disabilities. Featuring interns and their families, and other key people associated with the Derby Project SEARCH Supported Internship, this symposium will shine a light on the nature of a Supported Internship and focus on the contribution it has made to young people’s lives.

Following the symposium there will be time for further networking, this will facilitate opportunities to ask additional questions and speak with the presenters.

On Twitter:

• follow the journey of the current Derby interns @Project SEARCH4;
• follow the work of @W_BOSWORTH_N; Wykeham is a doctoral student currently researching Supported Internships as a vehicle for broader and deeper social inclusion.

Research:

You may also find the following research interesting:

• Supported Internships help disabled young people feel valued and socially included (Special Needs Jungle)
• Hanson, J., Robinson, D., & Codina, G. (2022). What makes supported internships an effective approach to VET? Nordic Journal of Comparative and International Education (NJCIE), 6(3). https://doi.org/10.7577/njcie.4861

If you have any questions about this event or the work of the ISEND Research Cluster, please feel free to email Dr Geraldene Codina: g.codina@derby.ac.uk