BCP Council

On the 10 July 2023 the 0-25 Education Improvement Team hosted the very first BCP Council Graduation Ceremony at Upton House.

The ceremony marked the end of the supported intern’s educational journey. For most of the interns that journey started over 20 years ago. The interns and their families have faced many barriers to reach this point. The ceremony was a chance for the interns and their friends and families to look back and feel proud of all they have achieved as well as an opportunity to look forward to a future of new opportunities.

As well as celebrating the interns as they graduated, the day marked the end of the first year that Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council hosted a supported internship programme. Being the first cohort of supported interns, the interns and their families placed a great deal of trust in BCP Council, and the graduation event was an excellent opportunity to thank the interns. This first group of exceptional interns have paved the way for future opportunities for other young people, they have been true trail blazers!

The graduation afternoon also allowed council colleagues and councillors to thank people and organisations that had been integral to the commissioning and delivery of the programme. It was very special to have Parent Carers Together attend the ceremony. Maureen Rolfe and Louise Middleton spend hours being the voice of many of our SEND community and the ceremony was a fabulous way to acknowledge their work and the impact it has on opportunities for young people across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. Adrian Gunner and his SWRAC team were recognised for their unwavering support and commitment to embedding a supported internship programme within BCP Council. Thanks also went to Discovery Job Coach agency, who have closed a significant gap locally in experienced job coaches and the team highlighted Project Search for their role in reviewing and quality assuring the internship programme.

When the internship programme was established, only a few council departments asked if they could host an intern. Now BCP interns have offers of placements from across the council, with the programme going for strength to strength. As a council, we are showing we are committed to creating more opportunities for young people and adults – helping people into employment and developing a work force that embraces the many attributes that our SEND community display, when they are given the opportunity and support to work.

The interns are leaving their internship year with BCP Council with a range of employment offers, either secured or in the pipeline. The interns have skills and qualities that employers value. We are confident the interns will go on and be successful in future employment opportunities.

Congratulations to our Supported Interns. Our class of 2023.