Supported Work Experience (WEX)

Give Your SEND Students a Supported Start into Employment

Help to bridge the employment gap for young people with SEND

Cornwall EBP is excited to announce the Supported Work Experience Programme 2025: an innovative pilot project to tackle the underrepresentation of young people with SEND in the workforce.

The Challenge: Currently, less than 5% of young people with SEND transition into employment compared to over 80% of their peers. A survey conducted by Mencap in 2018 revealed that at least 65 per cent of people interviewed with a learning disability said they would like to be in paid work.

Give Your SEND Students a Supported Start into Employment

Help to bridge the employment gap for young people with SEND

Cornwall EBP is excited to announce the Supported Work Experience Programme 2025: an innovative pilot project to tackle the underrepresentation of young people with SEND in the workforce.

Meeting the Challenge: Cornwall EBP is building a 5-day work experience program specifically designed for students with SEND. This program will provide a meaningful alternative to traditional work experience placements and equip students with the skills and confidence to succeed in the workplace.

Benefits for Your School:

Inclusive opportunities: Offer your SEND students a valuable way to explore career options.
Supported experiences: Our experienced team will design a program tailored to your students' needs.
Variety of activities: Employer engagement, offsite visits, travel training, employability skills workshops, and more!

Join the Pilot

Learn more about the program and how to submit your expression of interest at the Work Experience Conference on Thursday, December 5th. All work experience coordinators from schools that are part of EBP’s Approved Work Experience Programme are invited to attend each year and we are encouraging your school to ensure you secure your place at this year’s event.

Working together to create a more inclusive workforce

The Cornwall EBP Team

Event Inspires Careers Leads and WEX Coordinators Across Cornwall

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Work Experience Conference (WEX)
WEX
The Education Business Partnership hosted its annual event at the Royal Cornwall Showground, a much-anticipated gathering held every December.

The event brought together career leads from schools across Cornwall for an inspiring day focused on enhancing work experience opportunities for students. The event, organised by the EBP’s Lisa Neville, Gav Stephens, and Gavin Beresford, aimed to support schools in developing their approach to work experience. By providing insights into career pathways, the event empowered career leads to guide pupils on their next steps towards a successful career.
The morning sessions included key discussions on the Work Experience Review 2024, WEX Child Employment, and Supported Work Experience. Attendees then enjoyed a networking session; a valuable opportunity to connect with new and existing partners while indulging in a delicious lunch provided by The Good Food Catering Company. The afternoon featured a line-up of engaging guest speakers, including Dani Smith from Cornwall Council, Emma (Pate of Great Cornish Food), and Kate Teagle, Chloe Garner, and Debbie Lewis (Future Workforce Team). The event concluded with insightful presentations from Jo Ledge and Cat Andrews on the SLA.
The day was a resounding success, highlighting the dedication of career leads who tirelessly educate and inspire young people about their career options. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all attendees, our exceptional guest speakers, and the networking lunch participants for making the event memorable.
Quote: “This has been such an amazing day and having the chance to learn what different organisations have to offer has been extremely valuable.” Careers Lead
Big thank you to: The Royal Cornwall Show Ground, The Good Food Company, The Headland Hotel, The Hospitality Collective, Truro and Penwith College, Liskeard Library, Newquay Orchard, Access Cornwall, JCP School Adviser, Cormac, CSW Group, Active Plus, Careers Hub, Real Ideas, Screen Cornwall, DWP School Adviser, Cornwall Marine Academy and CMN Apprenticeships for supporting the event.
Call for Expressions of Interest from Secondary Schools

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To submit your expression of interest, please click on the Survey Tab and complete the required fields.
Post-Program Requirements
Following the program, schools will be asked to submit a short case study outlining:
· Programme design and content
· Student outcomes
· Sustainability: How the programme can become sustainable in the future.
· Lessons Learned: Insights to inform future initiatives.
Developing independence and confidence with Travel Training

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Year 10 students at Poltair School have recently taken part in a programme known as Travel Training, which sees them learning how to travel independently to Plymouth and around Cornwall using either a bus or train.
This group of students was identified as needing additional support to navigate public transport and explore opportunities related to post-16 education providers and the world of work. Many were apprehensive about traveling independently, often relying on family for transportation, which limited their options for work experience placements.
The Travel Training programme aimed to raise aspirations, promote independence, and empower students to make informed decisions about their post-16 pathways.
Through the programme, students gained valuable experience in understanding local travel routes and building their confidence in using public transport. Sessions included discussions about road safety and identifying potential risks when traveling independently.
Rebecca Rodgers, Learning Centre Coordinator and Deputy Pupil Premium Lead at Poltair, shared:
“The students learned how to read timetables, plan their journeys, and purchase the most cost-effective tickets, ensuring they could replicate this for return trips.”
She continued:
“This programme has underscored the importance of equipping children and young people with life skills alongside academic learning, aligning with our school vision to foster confidence and character.”
“Beyond building resilience and independence, it has inspired greater aspirations and provided motivation for their future goals.”
The programme included several in-school sessions and four off-site visits to locations such as Treliske Hospital in Truro, the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, the City Bus Depot in Plymouth, and Newquay Orchard. Additionally, students participated in first aid training, earning a certificate upon completion.