Making a Difference: The Role of Society in Advocating for People with SEND
As someone who has been working closely with an individual who has Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), it is disheartening to see the barriers they often face when trying to find and maintain employment.
However, I am proud to say that at Liverpool City Council, we currently have a number of interns aged 16 to 24-year-olds with #SEND, and I have had the privilege of personally working with one in our Communications Team for the last 3/4 months.
Initially, when the idea was first brought to my attention by our Director of Communications, Camilla Mankabady, I’ll admit, I had reservations. My thoughts were along the lines of, “we’re too busy”, “I don’t have the time to babysit someone” and “what will they actually do?”
But I couldn’t have been more wrong. Our intern has not only been a valuable asset to our team, but has also taught me the importance of inclusivity and breaking down barriers for individuals with SEND in the workforce. These people want to work, they want to contribute and deserve the chance to do so.
As someone who has seen firsthand the capabilities and potential of individuals with SEND, I strongly believe in the importance of inclusive hiring policies. Not only do these benefit the individuals with SEND, but they also promote a more diverse, inclusive and understanding society.
It is vital that we as a society break stereotypes and negative perceptions of people with SEND and understand that they are capable of achieving great things when given the right support and opportunities. I will do my part in being an advocate for individuals with SEND and working towards breaking down these barriers.
Let’s work together to make sure that people with SEND are given the opportunity to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. We all have a role to play in creating a more inclusive and understanding society, and I am committed to playing mine.
If you are an employer in #Liverpool I’d encourage you to visit https://liverpool.gov.uk/Supportedinternships to find more information about how you could support an intern. Latest figures suggest 4.5% of people in the North West of England with learning disabilities or Autism are in paid employment. This has to change.
