Lancashire County Council marks National Supported Internship Day

Since September 2018, supported internship programmes based at the county council and Lancashire Constabulary have resulted in 18 young people gaining paid employment.

The internships being offered in Preston are part of a growing network of programmes called DFN Project Search aimed at getting young people with learning disabilities and/or autism ready for work by offering a blend of skills training and on-the-job experience.

Deborah Barrow, Head of HR at Lancashire County Council and chair of the council's Project Search Board, said: "There is a huge disparity between the numbers of young people with a learning and/or physical disability and/or autism who go on to secure paid work compared with their peers, which is something we're trying to turn around in Lancashire with our supported internship programme.

"The figures that National Supported Internship Day aims to highlight are quite stark. According to the latest figures, only 4.8% of people in England with a learning and/or physical disability and/or autism who are known to local authorities go on to secure paid employment, compared to 80% of the rest of the population.

"As we know from the success of the programmes run by DFN Project Search here in Lancashire, many young people with learning disabilities or autism learn and thrive in work when they are given the right support and opportunities.  It brings with it a boost to our young people's confidence and independence, which is fantastic to see.

"If you're an employer and think you could support an internship, or you know a young person who you think could benefit, you can find out more at ndti.org.uk/change-and-development/internships-work."