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<p>Work experience is an important aspect of the support pupils receive to follow
rewarding learning and training pathways which lead to fulfilling careers.</p><p>The
department works with The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) to support secondary
schools in providing pupils with multiple interactions with employers from year 7
to year 13 in line with Gatsby Benchmark 6 - Experiences of the Workplace. This 2023/24
financial year, the department has asked CEC to drive this agenda forward at pace
to increase workplace opportunities, targeting pupils with special educational needs
and disabilities (SEND) and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is in response
to evidence that these pupils are less likely to access work experience opportunities
than their peers.</p><p>The CEC Careers Hub network has been asked to use a proportion
of their Hub Delivery Fund to stimulate meaningful employer-led activities to increase
the quantity and quality of opportunities for young people to engage in encounters
of the workplace. Within the fund, there is a focus on alternative provision, SEND
and Pupil Referral Units across all year groups. One funded activity, ‘Let’s Explore
VR’ delivered fully immersive experiences to SEND pupils across the Liverpool City
Region, who faced social barriers to accessing and engaging with workplace careers
insights and traditional work experience. The activity provided unique and engaging
insights into a variety of workplaces, careers and sectors using virtual reality to
transport the students into the world of work.</p><p>The CEC’s training is designed
to promote SEND inclusion. The CEC have developed SEND awareness training for their
Enterprise Coordinators and Enterprise Advisers and provide SEND Careers training
to Careers Leaders and special educational needs co-ordinators in schools, to support
the development of careers plans and employer experiences appropriate to the needs
of students with SEND. There are now 38 named SEND specific Enterprise Coordinators
in place across 31 Careers Hubs. Enterprise Coordinators are trained professionals
who work with a cluster of 20 schools and colleges to build careers plans and make
connections to local and national employers. In addition, 300 Enterprise Coordinators
have undertaken masterclass training to gain an understanding of how to support schools,
colleges and special schools with young people with SEND.</p><p>Supported internships
are a study programme for young people aged 16 to 24 who have an Education, Health
and Care (EHC) plan and want to move into employment. They equip young people with
the skills they need to secure and sustain employment through learning in the workplace.</p><p>The
department is investing approximately £18 million until 2025 to build capacity in
the supported internships programme and support more young people with EHC plans into
employment.</p><p>In the 2023 Spring Budget, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, announced up to £3 million to pilot extending supported internships
to young people with learning difficulties and disabilities without an EHC plan by
March 2025. The pilot is being rolled out in 12 local authorities.</p>
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