Date published: 2025-08-26 | Category: Children's Services, Delivering for local residents, Schools, Colleges and Learning, Somer Valley
Young people living in the Somer Valley who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and are looking for their first step on the career ladder are being encouraged to join a new Supported Internship being offered in Bath and North East Somerset.
The Somer Valley Skills Pathway Supported Internship offers young people aged between 16 and 24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or additional needs a mix of work experience, learning new skills and support to help them find a job with a Somer Valley employer.
The initiative led by Bath & North East Somerset Council has been launched following engagement with SEND Parent Carers in the Somer Valley area which showed a need for more support options for young people with SEND towards finding meaningful local employment.
The average week for young people on the programme is four days in work and one day in education to complement what the young person is doing in the workplace, with the opportunity to gain a qualification in English and maths.
The programme also provides help with CV writing, interview preparation, understanding employment rights and building confidence and independence.
Upon successful completion of the internships and depending on job availability, the young people could be offered their first paid employment role by employers in the Somer Valley who have signed up to the scheme, including the council.
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “We know that the Supported Internship programme is transforming the lives of young people with SEND in other areas and we are delighted to be opening up this exciting opportunity in B&NES. The programme will empower young people to gain confidence, skills and experience to achieve their potential in the world of work.
“For young people who have recently received exam results and need support with next steps, this could be the perfect programme.”
There will be an enrolment event for the programme at the Hope Centre in Radstock on September 4 from 10am to 3pm. Telephone 0300 332 7997 or email spavey@sslcic.co.uk for more information.
A young person from Somerset took part in a similar Somerset Learning and Skills internship and is now in employment at a major fast food outlet. They said: ‘I now have a full time job and feel much more confident. I have learnt many new skills and have lots of new friends, so feel very positive about the future.”
Young people who are interested in joining the Somer Valley Skills Pathway Supported Internship or would like to find out more can telephone 0300 332 7997 or email enquiries@sslcourses.co.uk.
The programme is part of the National Development Team for Inclusion’s Internships Work national programme which is designed to support more young people with additional needs to have greater choice and control over their future.
ENDS