Work placements get under way on Graham’s SEND programme

Work-based placements are under way on Graham’s Beacon programme in the Midlands.

The special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) employer engagement pilot programme supports pupils from The Westminster School in Rowley Regis and aims to prepare them for the world of work. 

Working collaboratively with Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, the placements are being delivered on Graham’s Birmingham Children’s Hospital redevelopment project. 

Six students are attending two on-site taster days during the seven-week programme to gain an overview of the different construction roles working on the project. 

Two students are participating in each taster day, paired accordingly to complement and support each other’s needs and abilities, accompanied by a teacher.

In February, Graham’s project team welcomed 15 pupils, accompanied by four teachers, for an initial site visit. This introduced the pupils to the project and explained what they would learn if they participated in the Beacon programme placements. 

Pamela Green, social impact business partner at Graham, said: “We received six fantastic applications from students who wanted to join our Beacon programme. They really took on board our brief to get creative – we received video clips, artwork, PowerPoint presentations. It was an honour to review the applications, and it was a very easy decision to offer all six students a position on the programme.” 

The Beacon programme will run until July, after which an event will take place for everyone involved to celebrate the success of the initiative.

Ronan Hughes, regional director at Graham, said: “We are delighted that the Beacon programme placements are now under way. We hope the pupils are enjoying seeing ‘construction in action’ at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital redevelopment site. 

“At Graham, we want to make a positive difference and deliver lasting impact. By collaboratively working with the Trust to deliver this initiative, it allows us to help improve employability outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities, hopefully inspiring them to choose careers in construction.”