Lucy Beattie from Three Ways School in Bath explains the work experience opportunities open to students
At Three Ways School we work to prepare students for the world of work, whether this be skills for communicating, operate to work as part of a team or learning to use the internet safely. Many of our young people with special needs are very capable of securing work, often with support or on a voluntary basis, but with the right assistance and training some of our young people can access jobs in the community.
We help prepare our students by providing supported work experience in 3 Cafe Kitchen, the cafe on site at Three Ways School in Odd Down. Here we look at all the jobs that need doing and break them down into manageable tasks and personalise the tasks to the abilities and interests of each young person. The students are supported by our amazing Job’s Coach and cafe staff across roles including preparing the sandwich run, baking, cleaning, serving customers and helping prepare the food.
Once students are ready, we encourage them to try work experience in the community, providing support for the businesses and the students to make this work for both parties. This has students working in care homes and Number 15 hotel, plus this year we are working to get 15 students out on a range of local placements from Moorland Road Charity Shops, to Designability and Homewood Park.
Students gain so much from being in a work place – just the experience of going to work every day and learning about different roles and daily tasks involved is of real benefit to many young people who may not ever have been behind the scenes in a business. The young people flourish and work places report how much they gain from having someone with additional needs working with them. An insight into their daily challenges and world and how small changes can make such a huge difference.
If you are able to offer a student a placement please contact Lucy Beattie email hidden; JavaScript is required.