YOUNG people living in the Somer Valley who have special educational needs and disabilities are being encouraged to join a new internship pathway to help get their first steps on the career ladder.

The Somer Valley Skills Pathway Supported Internship offers young people aged between 16 and 24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or additional needs a mix of work experience, learning new skills and support to help them find a job with an employer in the Somer Valley area.

The programme, which is led by Bath & North East Somerset Council, has been launched following engagement with parents carers of young people in the Somer Valley with Special Educational needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Feedback from carers highlighted a need for more support options for young people with SEND towards finding meaningful local employment and starting their careers.

The average week for the young people who will be working on the programme is to have four days in work and one day in education.

The educational aspect will be to complement what the young person is doing in the workplace, with the opportunity to gain a qualification in English and maths.

The programme also provides help with the process of applying for jobs, looking to develop skills such as CV writing and interview preparation.

It also aims to help provide greater understanding of employment rights, alongside supporting those on the programme to build confidence and independence.

Upon the successful completion of the internships, and depending on job availability, young people could be offered their first paid employment role by employers in the Somer Valley who have signed up to the scheme, which includes Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services at Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: “We know that the Supported Internship programme is transforming the lives of young people with SEND in other areas and we are delighted to be opening up this exciting opportunity in B&NES.

“The programme will empower young people to gain confidence, skills and experience to achieve their potential in the world of work.

“For young people who have recently received exam results and need support with next steps, this could be the perfect programme.”

There will be an enrolment event for the programme at the Hope Centre in Radstock on Thursday, September 4, from 10am to 3pm.

A young person from Somerset took part in a similar Somerset Learning and Skills internship and is now in employment at a major fast food outlet. They said: “I now have a full time job and feel much more confident. I have learnt many new skills and have lots of new friends, so feel very positive about the future.”

The programme is part of the National Development Team for Inclusion’s Internships Work national programme which is designed to support more young people with additional needs to have greater choice and control over their future.