Overview
On 19 November 2025, Internships Work hosted a webinar focused on what makes a good SEND employment forum. The session shared best practices, survey insights and real work examples of SEND employment forums.
Agenda and speakers:
- Introduction, Department for Education
- SEND employment forum survey results, Rabab Jafar, National Development Team for Inclusion
- Employer Ambassadors, Alice Hargreaves, Training and Employer Engagement Manager, DFN Project SEARCH
- Local authority example: Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s combined SEND employment forum, Mark Pursehouse, SEND Employment Development Officer, Staffordshire County Council
- Q&A
Watch the recording
Resources
Key take aways
Forums need strong foundations: Successful SEND employment forums rely on clear leadership, strong partnerships, and consistent representation from local authorities, providers, employers, and young people.
Employer engagement is essential: Bringing employers into forums and using employer ambassadors helps create more internship opportunities and diversify sectors for young people.
Data matters for planning: Accurate SEND2 data is critical for forecasting demand and securing sustainable pathways. Forums should work with local authorities to resolve anomalies and share data effectively.
Collaboration reduces duplication: Joint forums, like Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, show that combining efforts avoids repeated work, improves resource sharing, and strengthens employer networks.
Celebrate and share success: Highlighting positive outcomes and case studies motivates stakeholders and demonstrates impact. Sharing best practices through networks helps spread innovation.
Sustainability needs attention now: With funding ending in March 2026, forums should explore options like standardised formats, joint forums, and local authority ownership to keep momentum going.
Young people’s voices matter: Forums should actively involve young people, prepare them for participation, and make meetings accessible. Their input shapes better pathways and builds trust.
