The Young People, Learning and Employment Policy and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss supported internships and the transformation of services for children with disabilities. Councillors reviewed how the council attracts applicants and employers to supported internships and employment opportunities. The committee also scrutinised the proposals to transform services for children with disabilities.

Supported Internships and Employment Opportunities

The committee reviewed a report on how Westminster City Council attracts applicants and employers to supported internships and employment opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The report provided an overview of the Westminster Employment Supported Internship scheme, outlining its strategic context, delivery, and commitments. The Supported Internship programme aligns with the council's Fairer Westminster strategy and the Fairer Economy plan, aiming to reduce inequalities, remove barriers to work, enhance skills, and create employment opportunities for all. It also supports the new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) strategy, empowering young people and providing academic and vocational pathways responsive to their strengths and interests.

Key points covered in the report:

• Delivery: The City of Westminster College delivers the educational element, while the Westminster Employment Supported Internship team provides job coaching. Interns spend one day a week in the classroom and four days on work placements.
• Recruitment: Candidates are identified through various sources, including the council's Special Education and Needs Service, social workers, further education settings, and families. The council's communications team promotes the programme through social media and email campaigns.
• Digital Presence: The council has increased its digital presence through the Westminster SEND Local Offer website and the All For Youth newsletter. The Supported Internship team also produces a quarterly newsletter.
• Promotion Activities: The project promotes itself and attracts applicants by attending events, including the Supported Internships Fair and events organised by the local SEND Parent Carer Forum, Make it Happen .
• Assessment Days: Assessment days are run in collaboration with City of Westminster College staff, comprising tasks and interviews to assess suitability for the internship.
• Placements: Supported Employment Coaches support interns to become independent in their roles, providing coaching, training, and encouragement.
• Employer Engagement: The council team engages with existing and prospective employers to create new placements and paid roles. They also attend job fairs with the interns.
• Partnerships: The Supported Internship team has developed strong internal and external partnerships, including the Metropolitan Police, Marriot Hotel, Hilton Hotel, London Zoo, Linklaters, Museum of Brands, Tate Britain, In-Deep Community Taskforce, Twist Museum, Two Temple Place, Schroders, Lexington Catering, LaSalle Investment Management, Fika Café and Ashdown Phillips & Partners.
• Funding: The Supported Internship team is fully funded externally by the United Colleges Group.
• Outcomes: The aim of supported internships is for learners to progress into meaningful, sustainable paid employment.
• Progression Pathways: Graduates have personalised progression plans and are connected with employment support in their home borough. Westminster residents are referred to Westminster Employment (WE*).
• Feedback: Feedback is collected annually from interns and partners/employers.

The committee was asked to consider:

• How the council could further support the Supported Internship programme to better promote the offer and improve resident intake.
• How the project can be supported to develop partnership opportunities to create more placement and employment opportunities for interns.

The report also included the Inspection of United Colleges Group Ofsted report and the SIQAF Peer Review Assessment ¹.

Transformation of Services for Children with Disabilities

The committee received an update on the mobilisation of proposals for shaping services for children with disabilities.

In 2024, Children's Services conducted a review of services for children with disabilities and their families to assess accessibility and ease of navigation. The review covered the Bi-Borough Short Breaks service and the Disabled Children's Teams (DCT) in Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea. Recommendations were made to enhance the current offer, including integrating services for disabled children and their families into one service.

The report provided an update on the progress of the Children with Disabilities Service transformation and invited scrutiny members to provide feedback.

Key points covered in the report:

• Local Context: The review of services for children with disabilities included consultation with families, the Parent/Carer Forum, and staff feedback.
• National Context: Social Care Reforms, including a Family First approach.
• Progress Update:
  • Design and implementation of a new Bi-Borough Children with Disabilities Service, integrating Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea's DCT and Bi-Borough Short Breaks into a Family Help integrated service.
• Progress Update on Transformation Programme Workstreams:
  • Strengthening the Children with Disabilities centre offer as part of the wider Family Hub offer.
  • Procurement of a homecare and respite framework.
  • Improving inclusion in mainstream community-based settings.

The committee was asked to consider if the transformation work is on track to meet expectations and provide any further comments or considerations regarding the transformation scope and approach.

The new service is expected to launch in early November 2025.

Hend Rahman, Director of Make It Happen, the Westminster Parent/Carer Forum, said the forum recognised and appreciated the work that had gone into the redesign, and were hopeful that the new system would offer families a clearer, fairer, and more consistent pathway to the support they need.