SEND Employer & Business Information Event

Employers in Dorset can find out more about the benefits of increasing the diversity of their workforce and accessing support with recruiting someone with special educational needs and/ or disabilities (SEND) at a free webinar this month.

Dorset Careers Hub, the local body tasked with transforming careers education in the county and helping ​young people in Dorset find their next best step, is hosting a free online information event for local employers to dispel the myths surrounding diversity and inclusion and highlight the many benefits to recruiting employees with SEND.

The event will cover information on the various support options that are available with providing access to work and making reasonable adjustments. There will also be direct accounts from local students with SEND and inspiring employer insights and success stories.

Funded by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and The Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) in partnership with BCP Council and Dorset Council, the role of Dorset Careers Hub is to help young people in Dorset progress into promising careers and fulfil their potential.

This event is one of a number of initiatives run by Dorset Careers Hub to help improve employment and career prospects for young people with SEND.

Rebecca Phillips, Strategic Lead of Dorset Careers Hub said: “We are very excited to run this event again following the success of last years' webinar. It seems one of the few upsides of the pandemic is that people have more time to give back to their communities, so the timing is right to highlight the importance and definite benefits of a diverse workforce, and appeal to our companies to make it a priority.

“Equal opportunities for disadvantaged young people is an ongoing challenge, but it's a win-win for both the employers in helping overcome skills shortages and the individuals who can gain vital experience, develop independence, grow their self-confidence and be included within society.”

Councillor Andrew Parry, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, Dorset Council said:

“We are delighted to be involved with this fantastic event for another year. We want to see a future where all young people have equal opportunity to experience the benefits that employment can bring, including increased confidence and independence.  

“Young people with SEND make a valuable contribution to the workplace. The event will highlight the benefits to employers and give advice about supporting a more diverse, inclusive workplace.”

Dorset Careers Hub SEND Employer & Business Information Event takes place on Wednesday 26 January 9.30 -11.00am. Further details and registration details are available on the Eventbrite page.