European Social Fund in England

SEN pupils heading to work

Traditionally employment has not been an option for people who attend special schools. More recently some work-based opportunities have been offered to some pupils. It's a form of institutional discrimination - you've got a learning disability so you can't get a job. 'Heading to Work' is a new ESF project that plans to tackle this by offering work-based opportunities to 250 14-19 year olds in Essex.

Launched in May 2005, this project is managed by Mencap, who have employed ten new staff to provide a supported employment service. It will give pupils attending ten special schools across Essex the chance to develop basic skills, attend work tasters and take part in supported work placements. At least 50 of our programme members will enter paid work when they leave school. Moreover, the public will see people with a learning disability in their local restaurant, when they have their car serviced, when they book into a hotel and when they take a stroll in their local park.

Steve Pickles, project manager for Heading to Work commented:

"For some, coming into contact with a person with a learning disability is new. Most can recognise Down's syndrome but if a person has autism for example, it can mean their behaviour may be different to that of others. People don't know how to respond, as they have not encountered it before. This project will hopefully go some way to informing people around Essex what a learning disability is and how it might affect someone."

With this funding we are planning to give these young people a choice, an opportunity to take control of their lives. For some this may mean visits to local places of work, for others it could be a three-week work placement at a nearby supermarket, garage or playgroup. The project will benefit the students in many ways. It will allow them to be in an environment outside of school and away from other people with a learning disability. This is essential if students are to feel independent and able to enter a place of work once they leave school.

Head teacher Gary Pocock added: "The schools are backing the project fully as we can see how it will benefit our students. We are very excited about Heading to Work and cannot wait to see the positive results.

For more information, please contact

Andrew Duncan

Programme Manager

European Social Fund

E-mail: andrew.duncan@exdra.co.uk

Direct tel: 01245 702475

Direct fax: 01245 702401