Employment must be a measure of success for SEND reforms

Written by James Beaumont on April 7, 2026. Posted in Other, Teaching and Learning

Chris Thornton, Director of Inclusive Provision and SEND, Luminate Education Group

For hundreds of thousands of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the education system is not just about learning – it shapes their independence, confidence, and future opportunities. Yet too often, the outcomes they achieve do not reflect their potential.

Nationally, more children and young people than ever are being identified as needing support. Over 638,000 now have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) – an 11% rise from January 2024 to January 2025 – and more than 1.6 million pupils are identified as needing SEND support. At the same time, local authorities are facing mounting financial pressure, with many operating significant deficits linked to SEND provision.

Taken together, this paints a picture of a system at a tipping point. Demand is rising rapidly, expectations are increasing, yet outcomes for too many young people remain far from where they should be. If reforms are to deliver on their promise, success cannot be measured by plans alone, but by what young people go on to achieve after education.

The White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, alongside the Putting Children and Young People First consultation, sets out a vision for a more consistent and inclusive system, with earlier intervention and better preparation for adulthood. These reforms recognise the inclusive practices of further education providers and include a commitment to expanding supported internships, alongside more tailored one-to-one support for learners with SEND. By creating clearer pathways into employment and training, the government aims to better support young people with SEND, who are currently around 80% more likely to be NEET than their peers.

Yet just 4.8% of people with SEND move into sustained paid employment nationally. Too many leave education without a clear, supported pathway into work, making supported internships one of the clearest ways to bridge that gap.

Across our group, we see the impact daily. At Keighley College, Dylan Worsnop joined with a goal to follow in his father’s footsteps as a welder. Through his supported internship with Acorn Stairlifts, he developed the skills and confidence to thrive, ultimately securing a full-time role. 

Stuart Aveyard, a former Leeds City College student, exemplifies how persistence and ongoing support make a difference. Over several years, he developed skills through a range of placements. When his initial internship did not lead directly to employment, he did not give up – and neither did the support around him. With continued guidance from job coaches, he progressed into a second internship, built his independence, and ultimately secured full-time employment, where he remains today.

At Harrogate College, four students were placed with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust and Harrogate Integrated Facilities through DFN Project SEARCH. They rotate across departments such as IT, equipment services, and groundskeeping, gaining real-world skills with close tutor support.

Yet nationally, only 9 – 10% of young people with EHCPs access supported internships, and just one in four remain in employment a year later – highlighting the need for structured support beyond the internship itself. The system has historically focused on what is taught academically, rather than helping them prepare for adulthood, employment, independence and becoming part of the wider community. Such skills must be embedded from an earlier stage. Preparation for adulthood – including employment, independence, and community inclusion – must be embedded from an earlier stage.

Supported internships should not be a niche offer but a central pillar of a system genuinely focused on outcomes. This requires sustained investment, stronger employer partnerships, and recognition that support should not end the moment a young person secures a job. Employers also benefit – supported interns bring with them a strong work ethic, fresh perspectives, and tangible value.

As National Supported Internship Day highlights, the model works. The challenge now is to scale it so that for young people with SEND, employment becomes a genuine expectation, not the exception.

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Living the dream – the Yorkshire dancers behind new TV show

Written by James Beaumont on March 31, 2025. Posted in News, Other

West Yorkshire’s Mayor, Tracy Brabin, has praised new TV show Dreamers for shining a light on Leeds’ – and the region’s – vibrant performing arts scene.

The six part coming-of-age dance drama, which was filmed in and around the city, is being aired now on Channel 4.

The show follows the ups and downs of a group of dancers who are part of the ‘Chapeltown Collective’, with most of the cast coming from Leeds City College or Leeds Conservatoire.

Ms Brabin, who during her acting career starred in hit TV dramas including Eastenders and Coronation Street, said: “I’m thrilled to see these inspirational dance students starring in this new hit series from Leeds-based production company Duck Soup.

“They are the living proof that if you want to make it as a creative you can make it in West Yorkshire.”

For cast members like Mika Rowe-Bailey and Tyler Pickles, their involvement represents an exciting step into television – and their first brush with fame.

Tyler, a 23 year old Acting graduate from Leeds Conservatoire, plays Liam while Mika, who works and studies at Leeds City College, plays Zaki. They are joined on the show by Leeds City College students Princess Neila Mubaiwa, Demarkus Marks, Lewis Aird, Morgan Reynolds, Keldon Copeland and Luke Tyson.

Mika, 25, said: “Dreamers is a powerful representation of Leeds, particularly the vibrant dance scene in the North.

“It shines a light on the importance of community dance spaces, especially in areas like Chapeltown, and emphasises the strength of community and friendship. The show captures the raw energy and talent that thrives here.

“There’s a wealth of talent here, and Dreamers has also provided opportunities for local people to develop their skills in the film and TV industry. We’re often told to relocate to London or Manchester, but Leeds is a thriving hub for dance and the creative arts.”

Like many of the cast, Mika – who has a performance background in Bradford and Leeds – first got involved after spotting an audition poster, and was cast in 2023.

Tyler, meanwhile, from Pudsey, is a skilled actor, dancer and choreographer. He landed his role after being encouraged by friends and staff at the conservatoire to apply, eventually securing the part of Liam, who he sums up as ‘a bit of a rogue’.

Describing Dreamers as ‘This is England meets Fame’, Tyler said: “It’s something that we all definitely enjoyed being a part of.

“We’ve all kind of developed as a family, not a term I use lightly, because this was our first time doing this. So we were all in it together and went through the entire process together.

“We formed it through improvisation so it’s very much ours as much as it is the director’s.”

The Dreamers’ storylines are inspired by the real story of dance in Leeds – and specifically the example of RJC Dance, in Chapeltown.

As such, the show features lots of intricate dance routines based around the contemporary Afrobeat fusion style – arranged, in large part, by former professional dancer and choreographer Dawn Holgate.

Dawn, a Course Leader in HE Creative Arts at University Centre Leeds, said: “I had a wonderful experience working with the cast and crew. Part of my role was to bring together eleven cast members, most of whom were unfamiliar with each other, and create a sense of unity and camaraderie.

“Their on-screen presence needed to feel like a cohesive collective. It was exciting to experiment, workshop ideas, and play around.

“I’m so excited Dreamers is finally on our screens. It was an honour to be involved and to have played such a key role. Hopefully friends and colleagues will enjoy it.”

Ms Brabin, meanwhile, says West Yorkshire Combined Authority is taking steps to help others break into the performing arts. She said: “I want every creative to have the same opportunities that I had, which is why we’re stepping up with tangible support for freelancers and microbusinesses, and investing over £60 million to provide training opportunities to everyone who needs them.”

Leeds City College, Leeds Conservatoire and University Centre Leeds are all members of Luminate Education Group. 

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