Children with autism and learning difficulties are facing a huge struggle in getting an apprenticeship and following their dreams, due to certain rules that in place, says a parent who has sent a letter to the Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Mark Mansell, who’s son Nathan from Hereford has recently been spending time on work experience in a city servicing centre (Griffiths Auto Services), sent the letter to the Prime Minister, after finding a number of stumbling blocks in the way of his son securing an apprenticeship to follow his dreams.
Mark’s letter to Prime Minister Liz Truss says:
“I am writing to you regarding the current situation regarding English and Maths qualifications required for an apprenticeship and the difficulty for children who have Autism and learning difficulties.
“I have a son who has failed at mainstream school due to his autism, he was then left without any schooling for 2 years until a place was secured for him at a special needs school. This was through no fault of ours but due to lack of funding and provision to schooling who could deal with my son in the area.
“All his life his passion has been cars and the mechanics of cars, and he has self-taught himself how to be a mechanic. I have managed to find a local employer who has given him a chance to do work experience for the last 12 months and he cannot believe how much he knows without having ever worked in a garage.
“This employer now wants to support my son to complete an apprenticeship to gain a qualification in motor maintenance which enable him to progress in his chosen career and become a MOT tester.
“The next step in his life is to be trained and gain some sort of qualification. The only option available for him is to do an apprenticeship supported by his employer.
“This is where our problems start. To do an apprenticeship requires my son to attain a certain level of English and Maths.
“Unfortunately, this is very difficult to someone who has autism and learning difficulties. For this reason, I feel my son is being penalised to continue in a career which he loves and is passionate about all because he will not get the required qualifications.
“We have approached the local college in Hereford and applied for my son to do the apprenticeship. We were then contacted to attend for an interview. Whilst at this interview it was quite clear to see that they had no previous experience of dealing with children or young adults with autism as the meeting was completely negative. All the way through the meeting my son was told that they don’t believe he would cope with the course and that he would most probably fail. As you can imagine my son sat there completely disheartened and was left feeling distraught.
“This whole system of judging a person’s capabilities by how many qualifications they have is completely wrong. I understand why the government want all children to gain qualifications because it ticks all the right boxes and looks good for the spreadsheet but how many children are missing out on vocational jobs due to not attaining the right amount or a good enough level of Maths and English.
“I personally know of a lot of young children who will be fantastic carpenters, mechanics or painters and decorators but are unable to complete an apprenticeship due to not being able to get the required level in Maths and English. They are made to resit these exams with no hope of ever passing. What does this do to a child who has already had a tough time through the schooling system which isn’t geared up to deal with them.
“I would like to see this changed so that there is more emphasis on the child’s ability to do a job rather than qualifications which he will not need.
“I feel now is the right time to make a change for this to happen. I share my frustration with members of Herefordshire Council who agree with my views and would also support me in trying to get the law changed regarding this.
“There are thousands of young people in this country who are penalised by a system that is set up in favour of a particular group and that is the ones who can sit and pass an exam. Why can’t something be set up to help those who aren’t as fortunate as those. Why do we need to judge a person by there qualifications instead of judging them by there ability to do something.
“When you have your car serviced do you ask the garage if the person working on your car has an English or Maths qualification? If you found out that the person didn’t have those qualifications, then would you take you car somewhere else?
“Alan Sugar, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Richard Branson and Simon Cowell are just a few people who dropped out of school with no exams and have done ok for themselves.
“There are many children in this country who are more than capable of being skilled workers in a trade that they love, especially children who are autistic because they have spent all their life being passionate about the topic, they are interested in. These children want to work and want to learn but do not want to participate in the academical side. Currently the governments stance on this is tough, you need to do this and do that to attain this and attain that.
“I am asking for you to look at this and to get this changed to help the future generations of young learners and to give them a chance in life that they currently do not have.
“I am sending a copy of this to the Prime Minister, and I would like for you to put me in touch with anyone who can start the discussion on this topic.
“Children with Autism is something that is growing in this country and something which isn’t going to go away. Let’s get the law changed for future generations.”
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Hereford pupil gears up for career in mechanics after making leap from specialist autism school to city service centre.
A Presteigne pupil with autism is looking towards a career in the mechanical industry after successfully spending time on work experience in a city servicing centre.
Nathan Mansell is hoping to start an apprenticeship in future after securing a work placement at Griffiths Auto Services in his home city of Hereford.
The 16 year-old, who lives with his mum Sam and dad Mark in the Kings Acre area, is looking to make the move when his full-time education at Summergil House, run by Orbis Education and Care, comes to an end next year.
Mark said making the move from full-time schooling into the world of work was significant for any teenager, but was something which could never be taken for granted for those living with autism like Nathan.
Mark, who approached Griffiths Autos on behalf of his son, was really pleased when Georgia and Billy Griffiths said they would love to give Nathan a chance.
Griffiths Autos owner, Billy Griffiths, said: “Nathan wants to work, he’s itching to get into the workplace and he wants to start earning money. We, as Griffiths Autos, are very proud of being able to help Nathan get into the workplace, he has fit in with us all so well and we are very happy with the work he’s been doing.”
Mark added: “Billy does have previous knowledge of children with autism as a condition and I think that’s what pushed him to go the extra mile and actually take Nathan on.”
“Nathan communicates with people there, he’s mixing with customers at the garage and from day one he’s just got stuck in. He absolutely loves it and we’re chuffed to bits with what Billy has done for him.”
It is widely acknowledged that people with autism face multiple disadvantages throughout their lives that can result in a lack of confidence, not to mention the many valuable skills they are able to bring to the workplace often going to waste in return.
Earlier this year, data from the Office for National Statistics showed just 22% of autistic adults to be in any kind of employment*, a lower figure than previously estimated by the likes of the National Autistic Society.
So, for those who have been working with Nathan at Summergil House since he was a child, seeing him become a confident young man who is in the process of creating a future pathway into employment beyond his time at the school has been a huge delight.
Eve Hodnett, Head of Education at Summergil House, said: “The pathway into full-time employment is rarely straight forward for anyone, but can involve a great many additional barriers and challenges for those living with autism.”
“These barriers each person must overcome in order to carve out a way forward for themselves are also unique to every individual, so what the future holds for those living with autism often involves a significant amount of uncertainty in the process.”
“To see Nathan so fully committed to a role which holds such promise and potential for his future beyond his time with us at Summergil House is an absolute delight for those of us who have seen him grow from a quiet child into the young man he is today,” Eve added.
“He is a shining example of how anyone can follow their passions in life regardless of what their challenges may be. We are all so proud to count Nathan as one of our own here at Summergil House and can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.”
Orbis Education and Care runs 16 schools, day services and residential services for children and adults in Wales and England which support people with complex needs associated with autism.
At Summergil House, this includes 18 acres of nature trails, play areas, a giant polytunnel and a large chicken coop, alongside a sports hall, hydrotherapy pool and shared residential kitchens, dining rooms and lounges.
Orbis is currently recruiting specialist staff to join its schools and care homes around Wales, including Summergil. Visit Orbis’ website for more information about the group and the vacancies: www.orbis-group.co.uk
