Join the SEND Employment Forum: Building an Inclusive Workforce in North Somerset.

North Somerset Council and Weston college have launched Inclusive Futures - a SEND focused Employment Forum to drive growth in Supported Internships and create more employment opportunities for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Securing and maintaining meaningful work can be challenging for individuals with autism or learning disabilities. However, evidence shows that Supported Employment, a structured, partnership-based approach; can make a lasting difference by helping individuals gain and sustain successful employment.

We are working closely to support local employers, education providers, and support organisations to increase the employment rate of young people and adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.

The Inclusive Futures SEND Forum aims to:

• Connect local employers with partners and support networks
• Raise awareness of the training, guidance, and resources available to businesses
• Increase the number of inclusive employment opportunities across North Somerset
• Share best practice in recruiting and supporting individuals with SEND
• Help employers retain and develop talented employees with learning disabilities and autism

We invite you to join us for an engaging discussion on Supported Internships in North Somerset. This event is tailored for forward-thinking employers who want to explore inclusive recruitment strategies and open doors for young people aged 16–24 with SEND or an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Employers of all sizes are welcome from all sectors to discover more and be part of a young person’s employment story.

Watch below to see the positive impact supported internships have on both learners and businesses: