Week of SEND 2024

Presentation by - Paula
Who we are:
Choices college is a Specialist Post-16 College providing a person-centred, individually tailored Supported Internship to young adults with learning difficulties, disabilities and/or Autism. Through the Internship, 16-24 yearolds gain work experience, develop independence skills and increase their employability.

What we do:
Our service is bespoke, offering tailored support to each Intern, and employment opportunities are matched to the individual's skills.Choices college aims to empower Interns and build their confidence as individuals in the workplace, while also offering life experience beyond their home and school environments.

The programme aims to provide young people with the skills and opportunities to enable them to progress into paid employment at the end of the yearlong internship programme, working within a wide range of public, private and independent sector departments/ areas.

As well as supported internships, we offer work experience to those 16 and above with an EHCP. Please ask your school to contact us about this.

Presentation by - Jimmy
InspireU offers alternative education to any young person aged 16-19, or to age 24 if you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

They work at seven different sites around the county: Boston, Grantham, Lincoln, Louth, Market Deeping, Skegness and Spalding. Young people come to them for lots of reasons, but all seeking the same thing - something a bit different, that offers support in the transition between education and adulthood.

They work at your pace, as quickly or as slowly as you need to go, and provide you with all you need to take those next steps - whether into employment, onto an apprenticeship, or into further education. With teachers, support workers, employment officers and job coaches, you will be well supported in every area of our work-based study programmes.

Your time will be spent improving your level of English and maths if needed, alongside gaining qualifications in ICT and Employability-related subjects. You will also follow your own individualised programme of study designed around your needs and focusing on the skills needed for Adulthood, such as, employability, communication skills, team work, independent living skills, community inclusion and so much more.

Presentation by - Scott(Supported Internships)
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team at Lincolnshire County Council has embarked on an Employment project.

The project is aimed at embedding an employment pathway into our special school's existing Post-16 curriculum offer, which significantly increases young people's chances of obtaining paid employment upon leaving education.

The project aims to create opportunities; not only for our young people to enter the world of work but also for local businesses to develop and grow themselves in breaking down barriers associated with disability. They are working with schools to develop realistic and aspirational pathways for our young people to follow as they prepare for adulthood.

In addition, a SEND Employers Forum has also been created to develop a support network for employers, educators and other key stakeholders to benefit young people with additional needs across the county. The Forum is an opportunity to discuss and overcome challenges, explore new and innovative ways of working, drawing upon the skills and expertise around the table to promote and increase Supported Internships across Lincolnshire.

Presentation by - Scott(Young persons experience of SI)
The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Team at Lincolnshire County Council has embarked on an Employment project.

The project is aimed at embedding an employment pathway into our special school's existing Post-16 curriculum offer, which significantly increases young people's chances of obtaining paid employment upon leaving education.

The project aims to create opportunities; not only for our young people to enter the world of work but also for local businesses to develop and grow themselves in breaking down barriers associated with disability. They are working with schools to develop realistic and aspirational pathways for our young people to follow as they prepare for adulthood.

In addition, a SEND Employers Forum has also been created to develop a support network for employers, educators and other key stakeholders to benefit young people with additional needs across the county. The Forum is an opportunity to discuss and overcome challenges, explore new and innovative ways of working, drawing upon the skills and expertise around the table to promote and increase Supported Internships across Lincolnshire.

Presentation by - Josie & Matt ( electronic hub)
The SEND Team have experience with supporting families, children/young people with a varying degree of SEND that have required support and intervention above that which can be provided in an educational setting.

The SEND team are co-ordinating and aspirational programme to improve SEND provision through the "SEND Transformation in Lincolnshire" agenda.

Also new is the development of the "Valuing SEND Toolkit" which seeks to support clearer identification of SEND needs to map against what various provisions can provide.

Presentation by - Becky
Liaise is the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Information Advice and Support Service for Lincolnshire.

They provide information and advice relating to SEN and disabilities to parents, children and young people which is free, confidential and impartial.

This can include help with understanding SEND law, local SEN and disability policy and procedures, support in schools and colleges, resolving disagreements, education, health and care plans, exclusions and admissions and personal budgets.

They provide initial help and support by telephone and email, and can allocate a Liaise Caseworker if further specific support is required.

Presentation by - Sarah
Linkage Community Trust is a charity delivering high-quality specialist education, day services, care, employment and support services for people with learning disabilities.

Their vision is that people with learning difficulties and disabilities have opportunities and choice, and are supported to achieve their aspirations.

They support and encourage individuals to make decisions about their own lives and enable them to develop skills and behaviours to live the life they choose based on their talents and abilities.

Presentation by - Heather
The new team will support young people with a physical disability age 14 – 25yrs who are going through transition to adult services. They will be working closely with the Children with Disabilities Team and other teams across children’s services to ensure that the young person’s wishes and aspirations for their future are discussed and plans put in place to support them achieve these.

They will be working with the young person and their families and carers to ensure that they have the information they need to help them through the transition.
The team is small but experienced, consisting of Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Maximising Independence Workers who all work in a strengths-based approach to maximise the young person’s independence.

The team will also be gathering information through co-production with young people, families and carers and other professionals to support us improve and shape our services for those using the service in the future.

Referrals to the team will come from Children with Disabilities Team, SEND workers and parents & carers directly.