SEND teenagers 'left in limbo' over work scheme

Two mothers of teenagers with special educational needs (Send) say their children have been "left in limbo" by a local authority.

Kelly and Shelly both have teenagers with learning difficulties undertaking supported employment at Silver Linings' shop and café, in Ilminster, Somerset. The company also continues the teenagers' education and training through its scheme.

But without the teenagers receiving their personal educational funding, the teenagers could have to leave the scheme.

Somerset Council said Silver Linings is not currently registered for its internships as its "young people are in paid employment, which is different from an internship".

Both families are facing problems getting Silver Linings named as a provision in their children's education health and care plans (EHCPs).

An EHCP outlines the support and funding a young person with Send is legally entitled to, up to the age of 25.

Kelly said the council threatened to remove her 18-year-old daughter's EHCP, saying she is now in paid employment and no longer requires education.

Her daughter has learning difficulties and was taught at a special school. Once she gradated, Kelly felt her daughter would not be able to manage a 40-minute commute to Taunton by bus for a college course.

After hunting around, she found Silver Linings, and believed it was "perfect" for her daughter.

"She's dealing with people, so she's become more confident. She's using the till and counting money - she'd had no money skills before, and she can cook a bit more," said Kelly.

"But now, because she's working a few hours and earning some money, in their eyes [the council] she doesn't need any education anymore."

Kelly feels for her daughter to be independent later in life she needs more training and education, which Silver Linings has said it could provide with the council's approval through the EHCP process.

"They are giving her her independence, treating her like an adult. She's happy there, she just needs that extra bit of help to gain some more qualifications and give her more chance for the future," said Kelly.

Meanwhile, Shelly's 16-year-old son, who has moderate learning disabilities and ADHD, started at Silver Linings last summer.

"He's doing amazingly there and loves it," she said.

She said he was offered a college placement in Gillingham in Dorset which would have required a 40-minute taxi journey each way, every day, but she felt that was too far away.

"He's met friends here and he's learning. He wants to be here more because he's learning so much. This is his happy space.

"He was a different child altogether in school. We used to have a lot of meltdowns.

"Now he's grounded and happy and that's all I want for my son at the end of the day."

Shelly said her son's EHCP was reviewed in October last year and Somerset Council still has not issued a final version which she said has "left him in limbo".

She wants Silver Linings to be named in the document as a provision that will meet his outcomes, as outlined in the plan.

That would allow Somerset Council to fund Silver Linings for the educational aspects.

The company uses a government scheme called Access to Work to help fund the supported employment programme which both teenagers are already taking part in.

Silver Linings' owner Evelyn Ashford set up the shop, café and internships after struggling to find a suitable placement for her son.

She believes it is key that the young people are paid for the hours they work.

"A lot of work experience for young people with special needs, they don't get paid.

"You can't learn how to manage money if you don't have any money, so it's really important.

"I think they start to develop a sense of autonomy because they're buying their own clothes, they're buying tickets to go out with their friends and they're making choices for themselves - money's a big part of that," she said.

A council spokesperson added that Silver Linings is not "an approved provider", therefore the authority has no duty - or mechanism - to fund the organisation to do the work they want to do.

"We have communicated this situation clearly and repeatedly to Silver Linings.

"We are always open to new providers working with us to meet the necessary requirements and standards to be funded," the spokesperson added.

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