Choices College Newcastle

Choices College - a work experience pathway for students with learning difficulties/disabilities or ASD

Choices College is a supported internship programme for people with learning disabilities, difficulties or autism (LDDA). NHS Health Education England, support NHS Trusts to deliver the programme nationally. The focus is ‘work readiness’ and matching skills to employment. We have 16 NHS hosts across the country.

In Newcastle the project host is Newcastle Hospitals NHT Trust. A minimum of 12 internships are supported per academic year, ensuring learners are ready for entry level roles or above. In Newcastle 100 interns have been supported through this project, the average employment transition rate over the last 10 years currently stands at 78%. 

The project teams ensure there are placements across the Trusts looking specifically at entry-level jobs to make sure the right learner is allocated to this role. They also work closely with managers to confirm that tasks are clearly understood.
In addition, the programme offers training to staff to become work-based mentors, working alongside and supporting learners. Over 500 staff have been trained to support learners with LDDA across Newcastle, developing unique teaching techniques and skills, which can be transferred across organisations.

The learners spend a minimum of 10 weeks in each of their 3 placements and are integrated into teams. The Choices College team uses this time to look at any barriers and potential areas of development. Throughout, the learners are gradually assessed on how ready for employment they are.

The scheme also incorporates a work experience element for students still at school. This is for half a day per week supported by NHS Trusts and external organisations. This gives students an opportunity to develop skills for the workplace, make choices about career directions and ensures learners understand the importance of matching their skill sets to work while still in education.