DR UK Post-16 Education and Training Conference 25 and 26 February 2021

Improving post -16 outcomes for disabled young people in education, training and employment

Thursday 25^th February 2021, 10.00 am - 3.30pm

Friday 26^th February 2021, 10.00 am – 12.30pm

The Coronavirus outbreak is currently causing huge upheaval to everyone’s lives, but especially to the lives of disabled people. It is a particularly challenging time for disabled young people seeking education, training and work.

We need to work creatively and collaboratively to ensure that good quality information, tools, resources, and best practice are widely shared, and that the best possible support is provided in order to improve opportunities and outcomes going forward.

This online 2-day event aims to:

Provide information on different post-16 options and relevant resources
Share best practice on solutions dealing with barriers disabled young people face and reasonable adjustments in work, training, and education
Support employers, careers and enterprise advisers, training providers, teachers, family carers and other stakeholders to make their practice and learning and work environments more inclusive
Share initiatives to better engage with disabled young people and increase confidence and motivation.

Register here for Thursday 25^th February 2021 Time: 10.00 am – 3.30pm

Register here for Friday 26^th February 2021 Time: 10.00 am – 12.30pm

Thursday 25 February 2021

10.00	Welcome, Rabia Lemahieu, DR UK
10.05	Opening address Fazilet Hadi DR UK “Hight Functioning” - Poem by Ella Sanderson
10.20	“Inclusive Apprenticeships: The hidden secret.” Jonathan Smith & Emma Wyatt, Targeted Employment Officers, Essex County Council
10.40	My Apprenticeship Journey Scott Noon, Former apprentice
11.00	“Doing things differently - how the pandemic has changed our delivery and focus.” Julie Benton, Development Manager, Ansbury Guidance
11.20	Break
11.30	“The magic of a strength-based approach- empowering young people to recognise their own brilliance”. Katherine Jennick, Creator, What’s Your Strength?
11.50	“Practical Tips and Strategies for Employing Disabled Talent.” Michael Vermeersch, Digital Inclusion Lead, Microsoft
12.10	“Neurodiversity Awareness: supporting neurominority young people into employment.” Fiona Barrett, Director of Operations, Genius Within
12.30	“Support for Disabled Candidates” Jane Hatton, Director, Evenbreak
12.50	Lunch break
13.20	“The Why.” Louise Worts, 14-19 Leader, Daventry Hill School
13.40	“Specialist Employment Service: A Journey to Employment.” Fay Stoodley, Employment Support Officer & Sarah Benn, Contract Co- ordinator, The Specialist Employment Service, The Education People
14.00	“Why Understanding Motivation and Improving Engagement is Crucial.” Sarah Stones, Motivation Specialist, Plain Sailing Motivation
14.20	Break
14.25	“Disabled Students Helpline: Supporting disabled students to achieve their maximum potential through information and advice.” Rundip Thind, Education Officer, DR UK
14.45	Providing an inclusive engagement platform for the New Century of Work Nikki Mears, Co-Founder, Naturally Talented Me
15.05	“Supporting vision impaired students into and throughout Further Education Tara Chattaway, Student Support Manager, The Pocklington Trust
15.25	Feedback and Closing remarks

Friday 26 February 2021

10.00	Welcome Opening address: Fazilet Hadi, DR UK
10.10	“Widening access to apprenticeships.” Anna Morrison, Director, Amazing Apprenticeships
10.30	“Autism in the Workplace - How employers can support individuals.” Thomas Cliffe, Director, Track
10.50	Break
11.00	“Empowering through Vocational Profiles: Starting aged 12 and beyond.” Henrietta Still, Enterprise Coordinator, East Sussex County Council
11.20	“Deaf young people and equal access to communication.” Martin McLean, Post-14 Policy and Practice Lead, The National Deaf Children's Society
11.40	Break
11.50	“What’s Positive and possible during the pandemic.” Elaine Dale, Director of SEND Support & Nursery & Lara Scott, City College of Norwich
12.10	"Online Work Experience at the Financial Times". Jacqui Dobson, Diversity and Inclusion Partner, Financial Times
12.25	Feedback and closing remarks

This conference will have Speech-to-Text Communication Support and BSL interpreters.

Download the conference speaker biographies