Shakil and Natasha at the event.
The council hosted an event to mark the launch of The Local Supported Employment (LSE) initiative and eight internal apprenticeships for residents with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Stakeholders were invited to the WorkPath office in Canary Wharf to celebrate the progress that has been made in Tower Hamlets regarding employment support for SEND residents.
The LSE initiative, which was announced in August 2022, is a £7.6 million government initiative from the Department of Work and Pensions that will help over 2,000 adults across 24 local authorities with learning disabilities and autism move into work.
The council’s Supported Employment Team were successful in their application for LSE grant funding and support. The initiative means the team will be able to support 60 residents with learning disabilities, autism or both to move into competitive employment and provide the help they need to maintain that employment.
The initiative will complement the current work being delivered in the borough for SEND residents and will include assigning job coaches who can carry out vocation profiling, engage employers and provide in-work support to help develop more careers.
The event also celebrated the launch of eight new internal apprenticeships across council departments for SEND residents.
Shakil, who is one of the eight apprentices, attended the event and spoke about his delight to have secured his first job role.
Shakil said: “I am very excited to start my first job and to learn new skills. Keep always trying because if you give up now you won’t see the blessings ahead of you.”
Shakil will be focused on project delivery in the Living Well team, he is pictured above with his new manager, Natasha Sutton, who is a Personalisation Project Manager.
The other apprentices will hold a number of roles across varying departments including the Parks Service and the Adults Commissioning Team. They are set to start their roles in the upcoming coming months.
Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Lead Member for Jobs, Skills and Growth, said:
“I am delighted that we are able to the launch these eight internal apprenticeships and the LSE initiative in Tower Hamlets.
“We know that our SEND residents can face challenges when it comes to finding and sustaining employment. However, we also know that finding a fulfilling role can hugely contribute to economic and personal independence, along with confidence. That is why having these opportunities within the council is crucial and a real demonstration of our commitment to ensuring everybody feels supported in their career journey.
“Our Supported Employment Team have worked incredibly hard to secure the LSE grant funding and I know that they will use this to accelerate the support we have for our SEND residents.”
If you would like to know more about or apply for the LSE service, please contact our team at: LSE@towerhamlets.gov.uk.
Posted on Friday 10th February 2023