Our Pathway to Employment Programme is designed to give young people with SEN needs the experiences and knowledge they need to gain the meaningful employment they deserve.  

Students take part in CV training, interview training, travel training, sessions on interpersonal skills and timekeeping, and placements.  

Sam and Owen are both coming towards the end of their year on the Pathway Programme. In that time, they have done a range of work placements in places like the Cottage Café, the YMCA, and local shops. On top of their workplace training, they’ve also been working hard on Maths and English, so they can get those skills ready for work.  

How travel training made a difference

Travel training is a really important part of the Pathway to Employment Offer. During travel training people start off receiving a lot of support with their travel. Over time, they will receive less and less support, until they are travelling more independently.  

Sam said:  

This has been a really good experience for me. I really want to be independent. I don’t want to be supported; I want to do it all on my own. The travel training has made me more independent in lots of aspects of my life, not just the course.

Shannon, the Pathway to Employment tutor, elaborated.  

I think travel training affects their perception of themselves. It’s not just a case of them thinking ‘oh I can travel more?’ It’s, ‘this is something I couldn’t do and now I can.

Why ‘Pathway to Employment’ is helping with confidence

Both students felt like Pathway had made a big difference to their lives. Owen felt that his confidence had improved as a result of the programme, explaining:  

 

I think the work placements have helped with my confidence. I especially enjoyed working in the local café.

Sam added:   

When I was at school I would get distracted and it used to really put me off. This year on the programme my ability to knuckle down has improved loads. We’re also not 1 to 1 anymore. I had a lot of that in school, but now we work more as a team.

Shannon was really impressed with the difference she’d seen in the students.  

All the boys have grown so much in different ways. I’m proud of them all every day!

One moment which really stood out to Shannon, was when Sam, Owen and the other students went bowling on the last day of term.  

Just to watch them all interact with each other and to have made friends, when some of them found it difficult to speak to anyone when they joined, was amazing. The respect they have for me has also aided how proud I am of them.

  • Ali Mills is Communications and Engagement Officer in United Response  
     

We are always looking for placements in the Devon area. Could you help? Contact info@unitedresponse.org.uk