Last year the Local Supported Employment (LSE) initiative was set up by government to help adults with learning disabilities, autism or both to take part in supported internship work, helping them to gain permanent paid employment.
In Peterborough, a three-year programme started in 2022-23 as part of a collaboration between Peterborough City Council, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWAFT), Peterborough and Stamford Colleges, as part of the Inspire Education Group’ and Project Search.
The project sees up to six young adults aged 18 – 24 from the colleges who, having been selected for the scheme at a Skills Assessment Day, are given internships at NWAFT. The internship is classed as a working interview, with students learning all skills necessary to be offered the role within the department at end of placement.
To celebrate the success of the scheme so far, a special event is being held on Tuesday 21 November at Peterborough City Hospital where interns will be handed certificates for completing part of their training from Hannah Coffey, the Chief Executive of NWAFT.
The event will also give those attending a unique opportunity to meet the students and hear their inspirational tales. One intern, Jack Batty, has just gained employment through NWAFT’s estates and facilities team after his supported internship programme. Other students on the programme have gained roles in administration support, ward clerks and creative assistants.
Cllr Saqib Farooq, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said: “We are extremely proud to support this thoroughly worthwhile scheme and I’m delighted to see that it is already achieving its aim by helping people find employment, who might otherwise find it difficult.
“I would like to pass my congratulations to everyone involved in the scheme and look forward to seeing the programme continue to support adults with learning disabilities into employment and drive the quality within the sector.”
The Local Supported Employment (LSE) initiative is providing grant funding to 24 local authorities in England and Wales, representing an investment of £7.6 million over the next three years.
Each local authority area will support between 60 and 140 adults with learning disabilities, autism or both to move into employment and evidence from other supported employment programmes suggests that at least 30% of participants should start some form of work following involvement in the initiative.
The longer-term ambition is to provide further evidence to local authorities of the value of supported employment to help drive further investment and secure effective employment for more people with learning disabilities, autism or both.