SEN Employment links: Working with Employers and Trainers to support Young People with Special Educational Needs/Disability into Employment Erasmus Project

Project Title

SEN Employment links: Working with Employers and Trainers to support Young People with Special Educational Needs/Disability into Employment

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged; Disabilities – special needs; Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment

Project Summary

-Project context: The key aim of the SENEL (Special Educational Needs Employment Links) project was to support transition into the labour market from vocational education and training (VET) and further education (FE) of disadvantaged learners: young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Such groups are particularly at risk of dropping out at this critical stage in their education and development in almost all countries in the EU (European Union).
-Objectives: The key objective of this two-year Erasmus+ KA2 Strategic Partnership project was to contribute three dynamic, culturally-sensitive tools to support this transition process for students with SEND. National and international meetings and multiplier events supported the development of the tools which are available to an international audience on the SENEL website and the EPRP.
-Organisations: This consortium comprised of 5 partners bringing direct experience and complementary skills. In England, Finland and the Czech Republic, partners included one institution of higher education (HE) in conjunction with one national partner of a different organisational structure: VET/HE institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and disability organisations. In Germany, the partner was a larger organisation offering both training for professionals and VET for young people with SEND. All partners offered relevant, specific skills and knowledge, in a wide range of contexts to maximise impact on stakeholders.
-Activities: The principle activities of the SENEL consortium focused on the development and dissemination of the following Outputs:
-Output 1 is a Portable Exhibition of Good Practice including documentary photographs and videos of best practices, with accompanying text in four languages. It is based on an analysis of shared good practice across the partners. It highlights access to the workplace and continuing VET, and links between VET and the workplace. It is available on our sustainable website dedicated to disseminating project outputs and fostering access to continuing VET, including groups at risk. This was the SENEL first output and continued to be developed throughout the project as a sustainable and flexible resource.
-Output 2 is an innovative and flexible tool for employers: “A Mini Guide for Employers of Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disability”. Drawing on real-life case studies, it provides clear guidance about SEND for employers to support transitions into work. It emphasises the added value that people with SEND bring to the workplace, and provides a realistic view of reasonable adjustments which might be needed.
-Output 3 is a unique tool for young people with SEND entitled “The Passport to Employment for Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities”. A crucial part of VET training for people with SEND is how to make effective transitions into the workplace. This is a flexible self-advocacy tool for VET/FE students with SEND transitioning from VET/FE to work, for use at various stages of their VET and as they continue into the workplace. Multiple formats are available for example PDF files, an adaptable Word version and an interactive online tool. This will be the first time such a product has been offered in these formats, focusing on disadvantaged groups to support their access to long term, satisfying employment and promoting the inclusivity of continuing VET.
-Results and impact: SENEL engaged a wide range of participants: key stakeholders were employers, young people with SEND and VET pedagogical staff. The development of the Outputs and dissemination activities also involved a wide range of relevant stakeholders as participants: NGOs, counsellors and careers advisors, government institutions, trainee VET teachers, VET providers, trainer/teachers, disability and adult learner associations, university staff and students, politicians and funding bodies and the general public.
The SENEL project has been widely disseminated in partner countries and at international conferences, and was invited to present at a conference in Bangkok, Thailand, to a conference of professionals from 15 countries in South East Asia. Impact ranges from a direct and ongoing significant influence on the training and development of young people with SEND, to a continuing voice in national organisations and funding bodies.
-Longer-term benefits: The long term sustainability of the project is ensured by the continuing free availability of adaptable outputs on the SENEL website, and the use of these materials not only by SENEL partners but also by the many participants in the project who have engaged with the materials and are using them in a range of contexts.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 269637,31 Eur

Project Coordinator

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Masarykova univerzita
• JYVASKYLAN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU
• Activate Learning
• AGAPO, o.p.s.
• Katholische Jugendfürsorge der Diözese Augsburg e.V.
• KEHITYSVAMMALIITTO RY