Staffordshire’s Leading College Shortlisted for National Special Educational Needs and Disability Award

Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group has been recognised in a national awards for the work they do to support students with learning difficulties or disabilities into sustainable employment through their ‘Supported Internship’ programme.

The Foundation Studies Team at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), are finalists in the ‘Support into Employment (up to 24 years)’ category in the National Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Awards (SEND) 2020 – a prestigious awards which celebrates Outstanding schools, colleges and individuals up and down the country.

NSCG’s Supported Internships offer a personalised one-year study or work placement programme, which equip young adults with learning difficulties and/or disabilities with the necessary skills to secure sustainable, paid employment through active learning in the workplace. In its first year, NSCG’s Supported Internships programme saw outstanding success with 100% of students completing the programme and 64 per cent going on to secure paid employment with their Internship employer (compared to a national figure of 36 per cent). The programme has continued to go from strength to strength, with the number of enrolled students increasing year-on-year and employers such as McDonalds, Costa Coffee and Dee Set Manufacturing now on-board.

 

NSCG’s Curriculum Leader in Foundation Studies, Rob Sigley, said about the programme: “All young people should be encouraged and supported in developing the skills, experience and qualifications they need to succeed not only in their careers but also in their wider life journey. Our students have grown in self-confidence and independence whilst dramatically enhancing their employability skills and ability to become self-sufficient adults and it’s a privilege to work with them.”

 

The National SEND Awards are now in their sixth year and celebrate inspirational organisations and individuals who go above and beyond to ensure the inclusion of under 25-year-olds in education and employment across schools, colleges, educational settings and employment across the UK.

 

The national award winners will be revealed on Friday 19 June 2020.