Sefton Supported Internship success stories celebrated at Anfield event

The success of young people in Sefton with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) was celebrated at the Liverpool City Region Supported Employment Forum.

The event, held at Liverpool FC’s Anfield home, was attended by over 300 delegates, including supported interns, employers, schools and colleges.

Speakers included former interns from Sefton who have gone on to achieve full-time paid employment, inspiring the next generation of supported interns.

The event was closed by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

Supported Internships help equip young people for future roles with the aim of securing full time work. The programme, now in its fourth year, is delivered in partnership with Hugh Baird College and Southport College in Sefton and links young people with local employers, such as Mersey Care NHS, to help them gain vital experience of the workplace.

Sefton far exceeds the national average for people with SEND in full time employment. Nationally, among 18-64 year olds with a SEND, 6% are in full time work, for 16-24 year olds with a SEND using supported internships in Sefton, that figure jumps to 31%.