MORE than 300 young people in Devon with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) have gained qualifications and work experience in the last three years, Devon County Council (DCC) has announced.

The government-funded internships often lead to paid employment.

National figures suggest that only 5.1 percent of people with special educational needs and disabilities gain paid employment in the UK, compared to 80 per cent of their peers.

DCC says it wants redress this and are helping to raise awareness of supported internships and support more young people with EHCPs to gain the skills and experience they need to find paid employment.

The authority are working with 12 learning providers across Devon to provide a range of internship courses with relevant work placements aligned to their interests.

As part of the programme, young people spend around 30 per cent of their time in college, and 70 per cent in a work placement, receiving training and gaining practical experience of working with others.

All support is provided via a Job Coach by the learning provider.

Councillor Lois Samuel, Cabinet Member with responsibility for services that support young people with SEND, said: ‘We want to do all we can to help young people with SEND gain the skills and experience they need to get paid jobs.

‘Finding a job can be difficult for anyone, but it can be especially challenging for young people with SEND.

‘Learning providers work closely with young people to understand what their interests are, and what sorts of employment they’d like.

‘They support them with their classroom learning, but also with their work placement.

‘I’m delighted that many young people who have been through a supported internship programme have then gained paid employment.

‘It’s helping to build people’s confidence, as well as helping them develop the skills they need as adults.’