YOUNG people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be able to apply for an internship within St Helens Council.

The St Helens Supported Internship Programme, a partnership between the council and St Helens College, was approved by cabinet on Wednesday.

A one-off grant of £42,636 from the Department for Education will fund the initiative.

The grant will help pay for five internships within people’s services, traded and environmental services and corporate services to run initially from September 2018 to July 2019.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Jeanette Banks, cabinet member for children, families, young people, said: “In St Helens there are approximately 244, 16-25-year-old young people who have recognised special educational needs and/or disabilities.

“Many of these young people do not have the skills to perform well in recruitment processes and are overlooked by employers.

“They are rarely given the chance of demonstrating their potential, but many want to work and with extra support could make a positive contribution to the workplace, which would give them the potential to live independent lives.”

Cllr Banks said the council’s recent Ofsted and CQC report identified that parents, carers and young people are frustrated by what they consider a lack of opportunities for young adults aged 18-25.

She said there is a “dearth” of supported internships in the borough, which hinders young people’s potential as they move into adulthood.

The council agreed to offer a minimum of five internships in the first year, which will match the offer from NHS and community-based employers.

Cllr Banks said this will give 10 young people a “real opportunity” to become productive and valued employees.

Cllr Lynn Clarke, cabinet member, for green, smart and sustainable borough, said the project was “vital” for young people in the borough.

Public health and wellbeing cabinet member, Gill Neal, also welcomed the move.

She said: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic we are leading by example by offering five internships within our organisation – that’s exactly what we should be doing.

“And the message needs to go out to businesses working with us in the ambassador programme and everybody else – we want young people with special educational needs to have the same opportunities as everybody else.

“That’s what equality is all about.”