Careers for All
The programme creates a range of career aspiring opportunities for young people with SEND (special educational need and disabilities) across the UK.
Our activity is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Why Careers for All?
In 2019 Mencap identified that the number of young people with a learning disability who are in sustained employment is at 6% and this figure is falling, in 2015 it was at 7%, yet there is the potential for 70% to be in employment. The evidence from the CEC (Careers and Enterprise Company) highlights that “a young person who has four or more high-quality encounters with an employer is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training.”
Our Careers for All programme was created in 2019 to address this within our own organisation.
Careers for All Toolkit
We have produced a downloadable toolkit which has been designed to support organisations that would like to create SEND careers offers. The toolkit provides a range of ways to engage young people with SEND and examples of activities that we have facilitated successfully.
The toolkit is designed for museum and heritage settings and has been inspired by our collections and colleagues. It can be used to generate a greater understanding of including careers based learning at your organisation and how to make these activities accessible.
Work Experience
Work Experience is a core part of the Careers for All programme. These are typically 2-3 hours a week for a school term. At present (Aug 2024) since 2019, we have supported 55 young adults through placements, resulting in 13 direct positive progressions and a further 9 who volunteer or are employed by LMG.
Read our placement student case study at Leeds Discovery Centre
We deliver cohort work experience, including a gardening opportunities.
Sensory outreach workshops
We work with people with complex needs (formerly PMLD (profound multiple learning disabilities)) to create ASMR content for our museum and continue to deliver sensory outreach workshops for these audiences.
Recruitment
Careers for All has changed the way we recruit. Following feedback from people with lived experience of disability and neurodivergence we are becoming more mindful in ways to remove barriers to recruitment.
We plan and deliver SEND friendly careers fairs. Visit our What's On page to find upcoming events.
Our next SEND friendly career fair is on 22nd November 2024 at Leeds City Museum to coincide with Discover Creative Careers week. To book a place please contact us.
Consultancy
Following our work, we have consulted with a number of organisations to improve their practice. This included access in the workplace, workshop ideas, and careers programmes for young people with SEND. Organisations we have consulted with include:
- Wallace Collection
- National Trust
- Discover Creative Careers
- PINC College
- Natural History Museum
If you would like help setting up a work experience offer or want ideas on improving access to employment, get in touch: