Northumberland College addressing SEND employment challenges

Northumberland College is leading the way in helping students with SEND overcome challenges finding and sustaining employment.

The college, as part of Education Partnership North East, received an Outstanding rating from Ofsted in November 2024 across all areas, including its delivery of high needs support and supported internship programme.

This achievement highlighted the continuous efforts of students and staff as well as confirming how the college is well placed to address national issues.

Supported internships are a national priority to help young people with SEND into employment, and Northumberland College’s tailored programme is having significant positive impact on students. The specific needs of individual students are monitored daily by college staff, with bespoke adjustments made which may include access to a different curriculum model, an increase in staffing, or access to other professional bodies.

Students are also able to be involved in employment and work experience opportunities; these can be based within the college or with local employers. As part of our ‘Talent Pool’ initiative over the past year, students have worked within the college’s catering, estates team, and admin teams.

Taking part in a wide range of experiences and learning opportunities not only makes the students’ time at Northumberland College more enjoyable, but also it will also help them to stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs. These experiences also give young people an opportunity to demonstrate and develop their personal, social, communication and employability skills and also build friendships.

Lee Lister, Campus Principal for Kirkley Hall and Strategic SEND Lead for Education Partnership North East said: “We are extremely proud of the success of our internship programme at Northumberland, in partnership with two employers in particular – Places Leisure and DFN Project Search.

“It helps us to cater for young people with identified learning difficulties and or disabilities and together with our learning support staff at the college, the programmes we offer meet the needs of individuals.”

DFN Project Search is a transition to work programme committed to transforming the lives of young adults with a learning disability and autism or both.

DFN Project Search works hard to challenge and change cultures, demonstrating how young people with a learning disability can enrich the workforce, bring incredible skills and talent, encourage greater diversity and meet a real business need.

Sarah Palmer, Programme Specialist at DFN Project Search said: “This partnership has been incredible from the very beginning. Places Leisure has consistently gone above and beyond to make the interns and job coach feel truly welcomed within the organisation, providing them with fantastic opportunities.

“Northumberland College has also played a crucial role in supporting both the interns and the business, collaborating to break down barriers for people with SEND. I’m excited to see how this programme continues to grow and evolve.”

Places Leisure is part of Places for People, one of the UK’s leading social enterprises. They currently manage and operate 10 leisure centres in the county on behalf of Northumberland County Council. In addition to managing and operating centres, Places Leisure works closely with local authority partners to deliver health and wellbeing programmes for the wider community, helping to address health inequalities and promote physical activity.

Places Leisure currently has seven students undertaking various roles across their sites in Northumberland including Dry Side Leisure Attendant, Catering Assistant, Placemaker and Gym Instructor.

Leanne Beattie, Assistant Contract Manager at Places Leisure added: “It has been a privilege to be involved with this programme and to work alongside some incredible individuals. In just a short time we have seen them grow in confidence and learn new skills including valuable customer service skills as well as independent living skills which are vital when working within the Leisure industry.

“It is important that organisations working within the county collaborate with our local schools and colleges to break down barriers and make journeys to work more accessible for all. We look forward to continuing our work with this programme and seeing the impact it can have on members of our community.”