Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

SEND Pupils: Post-college Opportunities

Monday 11 March 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We know that with the right preparation and support the overwhelming majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustained and paid employment
  • The National Careers Service offers tailored support from careers advisers to young people with SEND aged 19 to 24
  • Homefield College received 95,000 for capital spend recently from the Department

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jane Hunt
Employment Children & Families
Context

The question arises from a concern to ensure young people with special educational needs and disabilities have adequate support and preparation to enter the workforce.

Question

What steps she is taking to promote post-college opportunities to pupils with SEND. The questioner emphasizes the need for these students to receive tailored support and opportunities that prepare them adequately for employment.

Answer from Robert Halfon

We know that with the right preparation and support the overwhelming majority of young people with SEND are capable of sustained and paid employment. The National Careers Service offers tailored support from careers advisers to young people with SEND aged 19 to 24. We are investing £80 million until 2025 to build capacity and support an internship programme. We have also launched a mentoring pilot for disabled apprentices.

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Q2 Jane Hunt
Education Children & Families
Context

Homefield College, based in the constituency, offers education, training, and independent living skills for people with learning disabilities and communication difficulties. The question arises from a need to support such excellent FE colleges and create opportunities for work experience, life skills, and development for students.

Question

Homefield College is a community-based independent specialist college offering education, training, and independent living skills for individuals with learning disabilities and communication difficulties. What steps are being taken by the Department to promote and support such excellent FE colleges and help create opportunities for work experience, life skills, and development for students so they may lead happy and fulfilling lives in their communities?

Answer from Robert Halfon

I visited Loughborough recently with my hon. Friend; she is passionate about FE and skills. I know Homefield College well; it received £95,000 for capital spend recently. We have the supported internship scheme for those with special educational needs; an FE bursary scheme for special needs teachers; specialist National Careers Service advice for young people; and the SEND code of practice to prepare them for adulthood.

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