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Publication date:- 2017-25-11

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Young people with learning disabilities helped in to work

YOUNG people with learning disabilities are being supported into work through a new scheme launched by Liverpool City Council. Just 6% of young people with learning disabilities in the City are in employment, and the aim of the scheme is to help them transition from education in to the world of work, so they can live more independently and don't become socially isolated. The Council has teamed up with the Marriott Hotel, Hilton Hotel and grounds maintenance partner Glendale Liverpool to offer Supported Internship placements. They last an academic year with the pupils working for a different department in the organisation each term. Pupils from Sandfield Park School, Bank View High School and Myerscough College are working 4 days a week and spending the other day in lessons to build employability skills. All the pupils are supported by a work coach who helps them get used to the routine expected when in employment, instructing and supporting pupils to build skills in the work place to complete work tasks to a high level.

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet member for Schools, Councillor Nick Small, said:- "Far too few young people with special needs achieve their potential because they are not given the opportunity to work. This scheme is about working closely with young people and employers to support them into the world of work and give them the opportunity to compete for jobs. Everyone can make a contribution to society if they are given the chance and we need to do far more to integrate young people with special needs into the workforce, rather than institutionalising them and in many cases, leaving them languishing in the care system."

Although it will take time, the eventual aim is for every young person with disabilities that wants it to be given the chance to get paid employment.

Sarah Spoor, Learning Mentor and Inclusion Officer at Sandfield Park, said:- "I can honestly say that the Supported Internship programme is the best thing I have seen in all of the years I have been working with young people with special educational needs. For too long there have been poor outcomes for disabled young people leaving school or college and very few are able to find paid employment; this is not only unfair, but it means that so much talent and skill is not being used or developed and sadly impacts on disabled young people's aspirations and hopes for the future. It is a chance to develop work skills with support from a work coach to give the young person a real chance to get meaningful and paid employment. I have seen all 3 young people grow so much in confidence and maturity and they are more independent and developing great skills."

Becky Cooper, HR Manager for the Liverpool Marriott Hotel said:- "The supported Internship program is an exciting opportunity for us to work closely with our community partners to enhance the experience of young people with disabilities and equip them with the necessary skills to go on to paid employment. Allowing us to access a new pool of talent, the programme also provides our employees with exceptional personal development opportunities as they work with and mentor the young people. We have been working with the students for over 12 months in the lead up to this project and since starting the Internship in September they have settled into Marriott exceptionally well and already feel like part of our team. In a short space of time we have seen huge positive change in their confidence levels and communication and they are doing a great job within the Housekeeping department. We are excited for the next stage in the internship and look forward to seeing them to continue to thrive."

John Stanton, aged 17, from Sandfield Park School, who is working at the Liverpool Marriott Hotel in Queen Square, said:- "I really enjoy working at the Marriott Hotel as the staff are really nice and helpful. I think supported internships are good as it gives a chance to work in a work place. I would like to get a job here when the Internship has finished. I enjoy everything about the placement, I love getting up the mornings to go to work and doing jobs really well and I am proud of myself."

Helen Eaton, Assistant Principal of Myerscough College, said:- "The Supported Internship programme provides the opportunity for Myerscough College to work with both young people and their supervisors. It's about creating work ready young people and removing any barriers that may be present in the workplace that could stop the employer from taking on a young person with learning difficulties. I'm so proud of the progress that's being made."

Formby Christmas Lights Switch On 2017

ON Sunday, 26 November 2017, the Formby Christmas Lights will be turned on. This year, Billy Butler and Wally Scott will be pushing the plunger Also attending will be Miss Southport, Gwen Raby and Miss Liverpool City Region, Elli Wilson. The events start at 1pm and lights go on at 5pm Do not miss what will be a fantastic event For more information go to the Formby Christmas Lights Facebook Page. This year's Formby Village Nativity performance, by Churches Together (CTIFAH) will be held on Sunday, 10 December 2017, from 2pm, within the grounds of Formby Pool.

College students get career advice from the top

STUDENTS at Hugh Baird College were treated to career advice and guidance from a very special guest recently as they were visited by Head of the Peer Supervision and Risks Division at the Bank of England, Mr Tanveer Hussain. The visit was part of a series of events taking place in and around Liverpool that have have been unveiled in the Bank of England's new educational resources. These materials aim to teach students about the economy and the role of the Bank of England and are designed to be used in PSHE and Citizenship classes. The visit saw students from Business, Accounting and Law asked Mr Hussain a wide variety of questions on his current role, his background and the previous roles he has held in banking.

Having worked for the Bank of England for many years and currently the Bank's Prudential Regulation Authority, Tanveer is responsible for supervising 60 international firms. This involves contingency planning, crisis management and making sure those 60 firms don't put customers or the UK's financial system at risk. Tanveer discussed the history of the Bank of England, how the Bank came into existence and the Bank's responsibility and mission. This then lead him onto discuss the financial crisis, the state of the current economy and Brexit. The talk also proved a great way for the students to hear about the different career opportunities and routes in to the finance world that are open to them after they leave the College.

Speaking after the event, Mr Hussain said:- "I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to the Hugh Baird students about the economy and life at the Bank of England. The quality of the questions was very impressive! "

Hugh Baird College Level 3 Business Student, Damian Gajdul, said:- "The event today was amazing and on behalf of the group I'd like to thank Mr Hussain for taking the time out of his busy schedule to speak to us today."

Hugh Baird College Principal and Chief Executive, Yana Williams said:- "I'd like to thank Mr Hussain on behalf of the College. I'd also like to thank the Bank of England for considering the college as a place to hold this prestigious visit."

CIOT welcome Government moves to simplify and update approach on employee expenses

THE Chartered Institute of Taxation has welcomed moves to simplify the Taxation of employee business expenses. The CIOT argues that the system for exempting from Tax employees' employment expenses and certain employer provided:- 'benefits' needs to be simplified if it is to keep pace with changes in the labour market and the move away from 'traditional' employment.

► Self funded training... Commenting on Government plans to consult on extending the scope of Tax relief currently available to employees and the self employed for work related training costs, Colin Ben Nathan, Chair of the CIOT Employment Taxes Sub Committee, said:- "We welcome the Government's announcement to consult in this area. Currently, the work-related training rules provide Tax relief only where the employee is reimbursed or the employer contracts directly for the training, but not where the employee incurs an expense that is not reimbursed. This does not seem fair when employees are increasingly encouraged by their employer to retrain, develop new skills, dual qualify, etc at the employee's own expense."

► Subsistence benchmark scale rates... To reduce the burden on employers, from April 2019 they will no longer be required to check receipts when reimbursing employees for subsistence using benchmark scale rates. Colin Ben Nathan commented:- "Employer reimbursements at flat rates and benchmark scale rates are intended as an administrative easement but the existing requirement that employees provide receipts for often very small amounts, eg. meals whilst working away from the normal workplace, adds unnecessary bureaucracy to a system aimed at simplifying the reimbursement of expenses incurred. The removal of the requirement to check receipts will undoubtedly reduce costs for employers and we welcome this move."

► Guidance and claims process for employee expenses... Commenting on HMRC plans to work with external stakeholders to improve the guidance on employee expenses, particularly on travel and subsistence and the process for claiming Tax relief on non reimbursed employment expenses, Colin Ben Nathan said:- "A simpler process for employees to claim Tax relief for their expenses is something which we recommended when contributing to the Government's call for evidence. Employees need easier access to guidance around what employment expenses they can claim Tax relief on, and how. Better information is also needed for employees, and employers, around record keeping requirements, and 'proof of entitlement', so that it is easier for employees to claim a Tax deduction for eligible expenses and for employers on what amounts can be reimbursed Tax free."

► Benefits in kind: electric vehicles... Commenting on the news that, from April 2018, there will be no benefit in kind charge on electricity that employers provide to charge employees' electric vehicles, Colin Ben Nathan said:- "If an employer provides electricity to an employee to charge their own car, a benefit in kind arises based on the cost of the electricity used for private mileage, but there is no clear guidance on how to calculate the cost of electricity and it is therefore necessary to estimate the cost. Exempting the provision of workplace electricity will remove a significant administrative burden in calculating what is often a relatively small sum."

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Deceased estates notice - Lilian May Jackam

Pursuant to the Trustee Act 1925, any persons having a claim against or an interest in the Estate of Lilian May Jackam (also known as Lillian May) Jackam (Deceased), late of Birch Abbey Rest Home, 55 Alexandra Road, Southport, Merseyside, PR9 9HD, UK, who died on 04/10/2018, are required to send particulars thereof in writing, to the undersigned Solicitors, on or before 24/05/2019, after which date the Estate will be distributed having regard only to claims and interests of which they have had notice. Churches Solicitors, 12 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BL, UK. Ref:- 'T553015.'

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