Ep 33: Zoe & Laura discussing supported Internships into the workplace

Neurodiversity with Theo Smith

Today I have the pleasure of being joined by Zoe Macey from Cheshire East Council and Laura Armitage from Springfield School, to discuss supported internships and how you can use access to work to hire incredible talent. I came across their work when I read and watched a news article on Granada reports. It just goes to show there is no reason why we can't re-imagine the way we supported people into work, when previously they would have been locked out of the system.

What we discuss:

-Who are you and what do you do?

-We learn specifically about the springboard project and what it means for the students

-We discuss Adam and their other success stories

-What types of work suits the students, it's more varied than you'd think not just the usual Tech and Maths!

-What is the hope moving forwards

-How is it funded, how do employers get involved, how can we all do our bit to help

To get in contact, if you are in Cheshire East email [e-mail] - and depending on where you are located, what the role is, who the employer is etc - you could then be allocated to a specific Education Provider. This is a UK wide scheme, so please make sure you contact your local provider for support.

IMPORTANT Info for employers:

They would only place an intern with an employer if it was right. It is important that employers feel confident in this approach and understand that they wouldn’t just place anybody there because there is an ‘opportunity’. It is just as important to get it right for the employer, as it is for the young person. It is also important that employers understand that a supported internship is not just work experience… it’s about learning ‘real skills’ for a ‘real job'.

You can buy Amanda and Theo's new book 'Neurodiversity At Work here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Neurodiversity-Work-Performance-Productivity-Neurodiverse/dp/1398600245

Love the intro music... it's from a past guest High Contrast: Music is Everything