Employers show the way in first Hartlepool Supported Internships Awards

... and more firms are being urged to come on board!

Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for 16-24 year olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and/or autism, supported by a trained job coach.

They give young people the opportunity to improve their life chances by supporting them to gain sustained, paid employment, helping them to gain skills, experience and financial independence and building their confidence and self-esteem.

The first Hartlepool Supported Internships Awards ceremony has been held at Hartlepool College of Further Education, organised by Hartlepool Borough Council, NHS Choices College and Catcote Academy and Futures.

The Council, NHS Choices and Catcote Academy and Futures are working in partnership, with each offering a diverse range of experiences for young people to help them each achieve the best outcome.

Those receiving awards at the awards ceremony were:

Outstanding Supported Internship Employers – Individual Provider Award

The Catcote Academy Award - West View Lodge Care Home

The Choices College Award - NTH Solutions

The Hartlepool Borough Council Award – the Hartlepool Borough Council Commissioning and Performance Team

The Voluntary Sector Award

Belle Vue Sports Community & Youth Centre

The Best New Employer for Supported Internships Award

Heron Foods

The Inclusion Champion Award

Sandra McKay, Community Hub Coordinator, and Jackie Johnson, Assistant Community Hub Coordinator, Hartlepool Community Hubs

The Outstanding Ambassador Award

Jasper Maudsley of McDonalds

 

Councillor Gary Allen, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adult and Community-Based Services Committee, said: “Supported internships are a fantastic way of helping young people with additional needs to reach their full potential, giving them the skills, experience, encouragement and confidence they need as they move into adult life.

“Thanks to this partnership between ourselves, NHS Choices College and Catcote Academy and Futures, we are able to offer young people a wide range of options to help them achieve the best they possibly can.

“Warmest congratulations go to all the employers who have received these awards – they are blazing a trail and can be very proud of all they have achieved.

“I very much hope it will encourage other employers in Hartlepool to come forward and offer supported apprenticeships themselves.”

Nicola Falconer – Area Manager of NHS Choices College, said: ““At NHS Choices College, we are proudly collaborating with Project SEARCH and Catcote Academy/Futures, allowing us to create a stronger support network for our young people in Hartlepool.

“At our recent Supported Internships Awards event, we had the pleasure of celebrating employers who are incredibly dedicated to supporting young people with special educational needs and it was truly wonderful to see so many passionate individuals come together.

“We are excited to welcome even more partners across Hartlepool and Tees Valley, helping our interns to continue taking their courageous steps toward a bright and successful future”

Jacky McGarry, Careers Lead of Catcote Academy and Futures, said: “By having a partnership approach, we have been able to increase our employer network.

“This has enabled young people with special educational needs to have more opportunities to gain invaluable work experience and increased the probability of paid work.

“A huge thanks to all the employers who offer internship opportunities for young people with special educational needs!” 

If you’re a Hartlepool employer interested in taking part in the Hartlepool Supported Internships programme, please email supported.internships@hartlepool.gov.uk