Tag: city council

Unions unite to demand better following council budget ‘shambles’

Following the shambles of this year’s City of Edinburgh Council budget in which full council voted for a budget including privatisation and compulsory redundancies, Edinburgh’s trade unions have joined together to demand better for the workforce and the community.

GMB, Unison, and Unite represent the majority of workers employed across the council including front line services such as waste, care, parks and roads, and non-teaching staff in schools.

The joint trade unions welcome the council leader’s assurances he has no intention of implementing the budget in full, but this is not enough and are further calling on City of Edinburgh Council  to give their workforce security by re-setting a budget which takes compulsory redundancies and privatisation off the cards completely.

The joint trade unions are asking the public to stand by the council workforce, by signing the public petition and writing to their local councillors: https://edcouncilpledge.carrd.co/

GMB Organiser Kirsten Muat Said: “Scotland’s council’s have been underfunded for decades, but it is unacceptable of the council to ask front line workers to bear the brunt of the lack of political leadership on this issue.

“The workforce need to be given job security, the only way this can happen is by political leaders putting their words into action and putting a complete to stop to any privatisation or compulsory redundancies.

“Privatization and redundancies will never be in the public interest, it would be wrong and short sighted for City of Edinburgh Council to pursue this.”

UNISON Branch Secretary Tom Connolly said: “We want all Edinburgh Councillors to not only adopt the trade union pledge, but we also want them to publicly endorse their commitment and outline how they will ensure our pledges are delivered.

“The public have a massive role to play here too. You can help save our services by using our campaign tools to write to your elected officials and put pressure on them to deliver.

“The Edinburgh Council unions have continually warned over many years about the devastating impact of cuts to council budgets and the threat to democratic accountability.

But under the Tory Government at Westminster and the SNP/Green Government in Scotland, local government is under pressure as never before. For years now, council workers have continuously been asked to do more with less and deliver more for less. With the current council budget, that trend will continue, and things will continue to get worse.”

Unite branch secretary Brian Robertson said: “The council needs to provide security to its workers as insecurity for the workers not only causes stress to them and their families but also puts stress on the services they deliver. 

“Best Value reviews must examine in-house service delivery as a serious option.  Improving Services, Creating Jobs is the Best Value our council can give to our workers, citizens, families and communities. Doing otherwise is a dis-service to our city.”

Campaign Resources:

Joint Edinburgh Unions Shared Webpage: https://edcouncilpledge.carrd.co/

Sign the petition – Edinburgh City Council: Pledge for Public Services | Megaphone UK

Send a letter to  your local Councillor and demand that they sign the union pledge  –  https://action.unison.org.uk/page/125663/action/1  

Historic tram cable wheels to be returned to original Leith site

A large pair of Victorian-era tram cable wheels discovered on the historic boundary between Leith and Edinburgh are to go on permanent public display.

The wheels, dated to 1898, are each 2.6m in diameter and were used in the underground cable-winding mechanism for Edinburgh’s original cable operated tram network. 

They were rediscovered at the Pilrig Street junction with Leith Walk in August 2021 during Trams to Newhaven excavations.

Work will now begin to install the wheels on the opposite side of Leith Walk, at its junction with Iona Street, which has been closed to traffic at its west end. As part of improvements to the newly pedestrianised area, the Trams to Newhaven team will also add benches, planters and an information board.

The wheels’ location was chosen in consultation with the local community and their placement side by side will reflect their arrangement when in use up until the early 1920s, when Edinburgh and District Tramways Company introduced an electric system.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The presence of trams in Leith is part of its heritage, so it’s fantastic that we’ll be able to return these historic wheels to their home, for the community to enjoy and learn about.

“As we approach the completion of Trams to Newhaven, it’s touches like these that demonstrate that, as well as delivering a sustainable, high-capacity transport link between the city centre and the north, the project is transforming spaces along the route.”

John Lawson, City of Edinburgh Council Archaeologist, said: “I’m really excited that we’ll be able to showcase the Pilrig wheels close to their original location.

“Celebrating our archaeological heritage with the public is an important part of the project. The wheels are a unique part of Leith’s and Edinburgh’s heritage and provide a fascinating link between the old and new tram systems.”

Created in 1905, Leith Corporation Tramways pioneered electric trams, prior to Edinburgh switching from a cable-operated tram system.

During this time passengers travelling between Edinburgh and Leith would have to alight a cable-operated tram and board an electrified tram at the Edinburgh-Leith border. This became known locally as the ‘Pilrig Muddle’ and lasted nearly 20 years.”

Work on the improvements at Iona Street, including the installation of the wheels, will begin today (Tuesday, 11 April) and is expected to be complete in the next few months.

The Trams to Newhaven project remains on schedule for completion by spring 2023 and within the £207.3m budget, with all major construction now finished. A specific date for when the route will be open for passengers will be announced in due course.

As part of the commissioning process every aspect of the new infrastructure is currently being thoroughly tested to ensure it meets the required safety standards.

Find out more about Trams to Newhaven.

North Bridge to reopen this month

North Bridge will reopen to two-way traffic this month after the completion of essential work on its concrete deck, last replaced in the 1930s.

The bridge has been closed to northbound traffic since November 2021 to allow for specialist work, involving the demolition and replacement of a large section of the deck, waterproofing and resurfacing, as part of the major North Bridge Refurbishment Project.

Two-way running will return from 21 April, though the footpath on the west side of the bridge will remain closed for the time being.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur, said: “The reopening of North Bridge to two-way traffic will be great news to many and I’d like to thank all those who live in and travel through the area for their patience while this essential work was carried out. In particular, I would like to thank the local business community and bus passengers for their patience.

“So much of what happens in the North Bridge Refurbishment Project goes unseen, but it’s a huge, complex scheme involving intricate, specialist skills and significant repairs to decades-old infrastructure.

“The partial closure of the bridge to traffic has allowed the team to carry out crucial work to restore and reinforce the deck for future generations. I look forward to seeing the project unfold further as the bridge’s façade is revived to its former glory.

“North Bridge was constructed by Sir William Arrol after he completed both the Forth Bridge and Tower Bridge, and this work should ensure it maintains the same iconic status.”

Rory McFadden, Balfour Beatty Project Director, said: “The reopening of the North Bridge to traffic marks a momentous milestone, culminating months of hard work and tenacity from our dedicated team.

“I would like to thank the local community in Edinburgh for their co-operation and patience during these essential works, which once complete, will ensure that this iconic structure remains for generations to come.”

In November 2021, investigations revealed the poor condition of concrete within the central part of the deck. Over the last 15 months contractors have replaced the deck’s reinforced concrete and installed a waterproofing system to protect the concrete and stop surface water passing into the structural steelwork below.

Elsewhere on the bridge, complex restoration work continues, including structural steelwork repairs, which are largely complete. More recent phases have seen 80,000 new bolts installed and strengthening and repairs to almost 650 parts of the steelwork.

Contractors have also started grit blasting and painting the bridge’s iconic façade, an 18-month process which signals the start of finishing works for the bridge. As well as removing existing coatings and surface corrosion through grit blasting, specialists have begun the intricate task of repainting the Victorian façade for the first time since 1990, using a combination of spray paint and hand painting with brushes.

Some work is required to facilitate the return to two-way traffic, which will be undertaken overnight to minimise disruption. As a result, North Bridge will be closed to traffic between 8pm and 6am from 12 to 20 April.

Lothian Buses will reintroduce northbound services shortly after the reopening of North Bridge. For the most up to date travel information visit the Lothian Buses website.

Find out more about the North Bridge project.

Council organises community cleanup in West Pilton

LAST week was a week of community action in West Pilton, where the city council’s housing team worked with commercial partners, tenants and local school children to spring clean estates.

After a build up of flytipping and littering, it was time to call in the skips and work together to help the community tackle problem area hot spots.

These before and after photos and CEC’s video of the clear up show the huge amount of hard work which was involved. Skips were collected over four days at West Pilton Crossway, Ferry Road Drive, West Pilton Park and Ferry Road Avenue.

In response to help from little litter pickers from local schools, 1,000 Easter eggs were shared out through West Pilton catchment schools, generously donated by ISS UK cleaning services and idverde UK grounds maintenance.

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “It really has been a massive clean-up operation and I’d like to thank everybody who pitched in. “

“A lot of hard work has been put in by many different people and a massive difference has been made. A lot of the rubbish was sadly a result of flytipping, which is always disappointing. It has been an issue in the area for some time and I think a lot of people will appreciate the efforts which have been made to sort it out. Let’s hope the estate can stay cleaner and greener for some time.”

Designed to promote community spirit and help commercial partners of the council to add financial and social value that benefit local people, the events were coordinated by CEC’s housing operations team supported by colleagues from waste and cleansing and schools.

The council would like to thank the following organisations for giving up their valuable time and resources to help us with waste collection, weeding, litter picking and equipment to help ensure a week of success:

ABM UK cleaning services

Belac Group Ltd specialist construction

Biffa PLC waste management

Changeworks energy efficiency 

Idverde UK grounds maintenance

ISS UK cleaning services

NWH Group Trade Waste Collection & Recycling Services

Pertemps Edinburgh jobs

Ross Quality Control Ltd building supervisors

ISS UK cleaning services

Idverde UK grounds maintenance

Council to trial Citizen Space initiative in Gorgie Dalry

A trial community contact project is running in Gorgie Dalry to make it easier for local people to reach the services and support that the Council offers.

Citizen Space at Tynecastle Community Wing is a test site that enables residents to access Council services in a convenient local setting.

The new trial team has been specially trained to help people there and then with Council services like ordering a new wheelie bin or informing of problems with local street lights. They can also link residents to the right community groups and other places they can get support.

If people would like help and advice with other things – such as housing, neighbourhood disputes or debt – the team will invite them for a longer discussion about how they can help.

The Council’s customer teams provide an important point of contact for residents looking to access Council services. Locality offices continue to offer an essential route for those seeking help and support.

The need to deliver more proactive services closer to people across the city is part of the Council’s 20-minute neighbourhood strategy. This will allow everyone to live well locally and meet most of their daily needs from within their own community by walking, cycling, wheeling or taking public transport.

Council Leader Cammy Day met with the team and Citizens Advice Edinburgh colleagues involved in the project on Tuesday to see their work in action.

Council Leader Cammy Day, said: “We want to make sure that everyone living in Edinburgh can easily reach the services and support that the Council offers. We’re working with our local partners and communities to plan and deliver services that meet everyone’s needs in a better way.

“Citizen Space at Tynecastle Community Wing provides exactly that – a new convenient and welcoming space that’s making it easier for people to use our services and receive advice.

“This is all part of our plan to support everyone’s wellbeing and end poverty and isolation in Edinburgh. These local community hubs will bring daily services together for everyone to help create more social and liveable communities.”

The Citizen Space is a drop-in facility for residents to use as they need it, but the team is also regularly out and about in the area to speak with local people and see how they can help. Look out for them in their 20-Minute Neighbourhood team jackets. 

We’re hiking parking charges by 20% to support vulnerable residents, says council

AND NO, IT’S NOT AN APRIL FOOL JOKE!

We’ve raised some of our fees and charges in order to prioritise support for our most vulnerable residents, says the City of Edinburgh Council.

COUNCIL STATEMENT:

On 1 April, we will raise on-street parking charges by 20% for all levels except resident permits and town centres. This will raise around £800,000 which will help us to improve roads and transport while keeping costs down for other fees – particularly those which impact older people and those on low incomes.

For instance, we will freeze the cost of day care services and Garden Aid for the elderly and adults with disabilities. We will also keep the costs of burial fees, community alarms and telecare services at their current levels.

The increase in parking charges will also allow us to create a £100,000 fund for community-led cultural projects.

Meanwhile, a ‘Library Fine Amnesty’ period will be put in place to prevent potential barriers to our services. Audiobook and movie rentals plus photocopying costs will be frozen at libraries too.

This will all be possible thanks to the rise in parking fees. A full and accessible list of the new charges will be published soon, or you can view the proposals on pages 24 to 47 of this report agreed by members of the council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday (Thursday 30 March).

All of Us: New film launched by Edinburgh campaign set up to support struggling families

A new film encouraging families in Edinburgh to access support and advice has been launched today (Wednesday, March 29) as part of a campaign run by NSPCC Scotland and the city’s Child Protection Committee.

The All of Us campaign, set up over two years ago, has involved organisations across the city working in partnership, including Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council, Stepping Stones North Edinburgh and Dads Rock, to highlight the different kinds of support available for families through events and workshops.

The film features two first-time mums who talk about the support they have received from Stepping Stones North Edinburgh and a father who says Dads Rock has helped him become ‘a more confident father’. 

As well as helping parents and carers get support and advice, the campaign lets people know where to turn if they have concerns about a child. It also raises awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling.

About one third of calls made to the NSPCC Helpline are from people concerned a child might be experiencing neglect, which is when a young person’s basic needs are not being met. This includes the child not having warm, clean clothing; enough to eat or drink; receiving love and care; access to healthcare; and support with education.

Neglect can happen due to a variety of issues, including parents not having support, funds or skills, and having poor mental health.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “We know that taking care of children isn’t always easy and we all need help from time to time.

“Parents might be struggling due to money, health issues or a whole range of factors outside their control and there’s help available across the city.

“The NSPCC Helpline is also there for anyone who wants advice or knows a family that needs support. It takes All of Us to raise happy, healthy children.”

A 25-year-old first-time mum, Shannon Borthwick, who attends Stepping Stones North Edinburgh – a charity that supports young parent families, said: “I don’t have the words to describe how much Stepping Stones has helped me, it’s just changed me as a person, it’s been so good for me.

“They’ve offered me such amazing opportunities. I’m incredibly grateful for all their help and support and I’m definitely finding parenting is easier since I reached out to them.”

24-year-old Marcia Cruz, who is also supported by the charity, added: “I’m also a first-time mum and I experience anxiety sometimes. There are times when it’s very difficult to know why your child behaves in a certain way.

“Having other people to talk with about things really helps and makes me feel much better. You realise you’re not the only person who feels a certain way and other mums are having similar experiences.”

Thomas Lynch, service manager at Dads Rock, said: “Parents really just appreciate having someone else to speak to and knowing they’re not alone and that other people are going through similar stuff.

“Nobody knows everything and it’s good to get a bit of information and support when you need it. I think people need to ask for help as soon as possible.”

Mark Cooper, a dad who has been supported by Dads Rock, said: “In the midst of a baby screaming that can be highly stressful.

“The support has helped me to become a more confident father because I know I’m not alone.”

Amanda Hatton, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said:“The All of Us campaign has been successful in highlighting the very real issues around child neglect and the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee has been working with NSPCC Scotland to raise awareness.

“The holiday period can be a challenging time for families so it’s important that everyone is aware of the wide range of support available here in Edinburgh. The ongoing cost of living crisis has put even more pressures on families, and I would urge people to continue to seek support.”

The film was launched at 10am this morning: Wednesday, March 29.

For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm. People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324, their health visitor, GP or child’s school. If you’re concerned that a child is in immediate danger phone 999.

To find out more about the campaign visit: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus

For further support and advice visit: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/support-families

To watch the video visit: NSPCC All of Us – YouTube

It takes ‘ALL OF US’ to raise happy, healthy children.

Easter Shenanigans at Lauriston Castle!

As the spring sunshine approaches, Lauriston Castle has launched an action-packed season of activities and events for all the family.

Members of Edinburgh Living History got into the spirit ahead of the Easter Shenanigans planned for the weekend and rolled some easter eggs they had painted.

Edinburgh Living History are our multi award-winning team, who interpret the history of the castle in a variety of entertaining ways in Edwardian costume – bringing to life the history of the house. On Sunday 2 April visitors can walk through the Castle on a special tour watching the performance unfold.

Elsewhere, running from the Castle Courtyard, there are free drop-in events all day including an Easter Trail with a chocolate surprise at the end, our Egg and Spoon Race, which you can bring your own hard-boiled egg to decorate and then race in, or egg rolling, with a prize for the egg that rolls the furthest.

Visitors can also make their own Easter crown, flower or pinwheel and share online using our giant frame! You can also craft a clay spring tile, paint a cermaic tile, make papier mâché eggs or explore with one of our garden activity books.

This year’s lecture series kicks off in April and across 15 mornings explores an incredible range of subjects with experts in their field covering topics from Earth Day and Scottish Art in the 1920s to Occupations of Old and Mary Queen of Scots.

Family days out come in the form of Castle Bug Tour, World Bee Day and the return of the popular Lauriston’s Castle Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Enjoy a special evening screening of Downton Abbey: A New Era at Lauriston Castle on Saturday 10 June as part of the atmosphere series of films at the Castle.

The Castle’s costumed performances are popular. This year spring sees A Lauriston Castle Murder Mystery or you can drop into the lives of the people in the Castle in 1911 as members of the household debate the issues involved in the campaigns for Votes for Women in A Guid Caus. In September, in Our Soldiers Need You, it’s 1916 and a member of the local fundraising committee has come to the castle to speak to everyone about how they can help with the War effort.

A series of workshops for adults and families draw on the seasons and the setting for their inspiration, and this year visitors can try their hands at Printmaking Inspired by Nature, making Summer Mosaics and many more covering expressive drawing, painting and sketching.

With over 50 events from April to September varying from workshops to murder mystery nights, Lauriston Castle has many reasons to return throughout the season.

Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “As the days get longer and the Easter holidays approach, many families might be wondering how best to keep boredom at bay. Lauriston Castle, with over 50 events, workshops, talks and tours, is a one-stop-shop for those looking for something new to do over the coming months.

“For more than 400 years, captivating Lauriston Castle has overlooked the River Forth at Silverknowes, near Cramond.

“Set among 30 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens, the Castle is a special place to visit whether to explore the beautiful Edwardian interior, having a picnic or taking part in one of the many events, discussions or workshops programmed across the coming months.”

Margaret Findlay Learning and Public Programmes Manager said: “It has been my absolute pleasure to bring events back to Lauriston Castle for the first time since the pandemic.

“It was a vibrant and popular venue for events and we look forward to welcoming our core audiences back while also welcoming new visitors and local communities to our exciting and diverse programme. People truly have a magical experience at a very special castle and gardens and we look forward to creating more memories.”

Tracy Robertson, Steward of Lauriston Castle, said: “We are very proud of our diverse and highly acclaimed programmes at Lauriston Castle and look forward to welcoming visitors through our gates.

“There is something for everyone to participate in and we are always exploring new and exciting events. The Castle and its grounds are magical and we’re very privileged to run events in such a unique place.”

All information on Lauriston Castle events can be found on the Museums and Galleries website or visiting Lauriston Castle Facebook page.

Oh, oh: Council to launch ‘Leith Connections’ active travel project

MORE DISRUPTION FOR BELEAGUERED LEITH BUSINESSES?

Work will soon begin on a scheme to create safer, more welcoming places to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time in Leith, the city council has announced.

The first phase of Leith Connections will introduce measures to limit through traffic and enhance streets for pedestrians and people cycling in areas around Constitution Street, Leith Links and the Shore.

Construction will begin in the week commencing 10 April and is expected to last until late June. Amongst the changes are improved pedestrian crossings, planting and seating in newly created pedestrian spaces, community-inspired artwork and pavement decluttering.

This is alongside new traffic layouts in several of the streets to prioritise people travelling by foot, wheel or bike. These include the closure of Sandport Place Bridge to motor traffic, bus gates at the Shore and Links Place and modal filters to prevent through traffic in some areas.

All residential and business properties will still be accessible by motor vehicle, while blue badge parking will be unaffected. Full details are available on the Leith Connections website.

Leith Connections designs draw from two years of engagement with the community and local stakeholders, encompassing online co-design workshops, public drop-in sessions and focused meetings. Some of the measures, those to the east of the Shore, will be implemented on a trial basis under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).

The project is being funded through Places for Everyone, an active travel infrastructure programme funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Leith Connections is a really exciting opportunity to create safer, more welcoming spaces to walk, wheel and cycle in Leith, as well as for spending time with friends or visiting local businesses.

“These changes have drawn on feedback from the community, as well as the Council’s own monitoring. They will also provide better connections to popular walking and cycling routes nearby, like the north Edinburgh path network and the Water of Leith walkway and soon, protected cycle lanes on Leith Walk, delivered as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.

“The team has drawn up a robust monitoring and evaluation plan so that once it’s in place, they can understand the benefits and impacts of Leith Connections. I look forward to hearing what the community thinks too, as part of the ETRO process. I shall be watching this installation closely as I am keen to see more schemes like this in Edinburgh.

Michael Melton, Grant Manager at Sustrans, said: “We are pleased to be working with City of Edinburgh Council to make Leith a safer and more accessible place to walk, wheel, cycle and spend time. The Leith Connections project has been shaped by the local community, with changes including new traffic layouts, improved pedestrian crossings and community-inspired artwork.

Officers will closely monitor the impact of the project through automatic traffic counts, air quality monitoring, market research and focus groups. Information gathered will feed into recommendations for the future of the project.

Further phases of Leith Connections will deliver protected cycle lanes running from the Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal (delivered in parallel to the Trams to Newhaven project) and from the Hawthornvale path to Seafield.

These plans are still under development and will include additional improvements to the public spaces in the area.

Find out more about Leith Connections.

Edinburgh embraces Day of Action

NATIONAL SUPPORTED INTERNSHIP DAY

A new government-backed national day of action will be marked today (Monday 27 March) to boost the number of people with a learning disability or autism spectrum condition in employment.

Led by the charity DFN Project SEARCH, the first-ever National Supported Internship Day showcases the tremendous contribution young adults with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) can make to the workforce.

In Edinburgh, the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian and Virgin Hotels will hold a series of events throughout the week, including a celebration for newly graduated interns. Young people will take over the city’s Project SEARCH social media channel on Monday to share what they are getting up to on their supported internships. 

Employers in all sectors are also being called upon to redouble efforts to employ young adults with SEND and come together to challenge the everyday misconceptions that all too often unfairly shape their life opportunities. 

Councillor Mandy Watt, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Training and employment chances were pulled from under young people’s feet because of Covid. So, one of our biggest priorities in the aftermath of the pandemic has been to improve opportunities and outcomes for our young people, including those with complex needs.

“I’m proud of the inspiring and talented group of graduates we’ve nurtured. Many have held internships with us while others have been supported by NHS Lothian and Virgin Hotels.

“This day of action, I want to call on other Edinburgh-based employers to follow suit. We require a variety of placements every year to ensure we’re able to provide a full range of experiences to our young people and interested organisations should get in touch with Edinburgh Project Search.

“These are ten-week work placements beginning in September and the benefits are life-changing. They give special young people the same opportunities as their peers and space to shine.

“The placements can unlock confidence, build CV skills and be the difference between someone choosing to enter the workforce or feeling unable to. Plus, employers may well find their intern is exactly the type of person they’ve been looking for to expand their talent pool.”

Luke Baillie has been taking part in the programme and has a placement at Edinburgh’s bus station. He said: “Project SEARCH gives us the chance to get real work experience, build our CV and prepare for employment.

“It allows us to build our confidence and learn skills we otherwise wouldn’t be able to access. It changes our lives.

Adam Gray, Regional Director of People, Scotland at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, said: “At Virgin Hotels, our teammates are fundamental to our success. It is important to us that our teammates reflect the guests that we welcome to our hotels, inclusive of everyone.

“Being a host business with DFN Project Search Edinburgh is something we are incredibly passionate about and proud to be the first privately owned organisation to do so.

“National Supported Internship Day is a great way to shine a light on the incredible talents of the interns of the 2022/2023 Cohort, and showcase the positive impact that supported internships have on business, organisations and also the local community.”

Most recent figures show that just 4.1% of young adults with a learning disability and/or autism in Scotland enter secure paid employment following education, compared to 80% of their peers. 

Supported internships – work-based study programmes for 16 to 29-year-olds with SEND – dramatically change the employment outcomes for those who take part.  DFN Project SEARCH figures show that 70% of people who complete their supported internships achieve this and successfully remain in employment.

Having meaningful paid employment is known to improve health and wellbeing and is central to individual identity and social status. If given the correct support and opportunities, young adults with SEND can thrive in a wide variety of jobs.

Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, Claire Coutinho said: “Supported Internships provide brilliant support to young people with EHC plans, equipping them with the skills they need to have fulfilling and successful careers.

“This is why we are boosting investment for the internships by doubling their numbers, and through the extra £3m the Chancellor announced last week we’ll explore ways to extend this programme to young people with SEND and without an EHC plan.  

“Ensuring successful transitions into adulthood is a central part of our SEND and AP Improvement Plan, through which we will make sure all children and young people have the support they needed, no matter where they live or what school they go to.”

David Forbes Nixon, Founder and Executive Chair of DFN Project SEARCH, said: “We created National Supported Internships Day to give every young adult with a learning disability the same opportunities as anyone else to transition from education to employment.  

“There is often a fear factor among employers of getting it wrong in hiring young adults with a learning disability, but it doesn’t need to be like that. It makes good business sense to explore the wealth of untapped potential among this group of enthusiastic and capable young people.

“They are keen, ambitious, and have an array of talent to offer employers.”