Young people with special educational needs take over café in step towards employment

Smiles all round as Ready2Work Academy students stand outside Tuition Time with teachers and facilitators, celebrating the success of their showcase café event.

A group of young people from Larne took a major step towards the world of work this week after stepping behind the counter to run a real café environment as part of a programme designed to help SEN school leavers build confidence and job-ready skills.

Ten students from Roddensvale School showcased what they had learned during the Ready2Work Academy at a special café event held on Friday, 15 May, giving families, supporters and local representatives the chance to see first-hand the progress made during the programme.

The initiative, delivered by Tuition Time in Whitehead with support from the local Labour Market Partnership (LMP), focused on helping young people with special educational needs prepare for employment through practical, hands-on experience rather than classroom-only learning.

For many families across Mid and East Antrim, the transition from school into employment can present significant challenges for young people with additional needs, particularly when it comes to confidence, workplace experience and accessing suitable opportunities.

Students gained experience in a real café environment

During the showcase event, the students served customers and helped manage the day-to-day running of the café, putting into practice the skills they had developed throughout the five-day academy.

The programme was designed to create a supportive environment where participants could build confidence while learning practical employability skills, communication, teamwork and customer service.

Organisers said the academy aims to remove barriers that can prevent SEN school leavers from accessing meaningful work opportunities and helps participants explore possible career paths with tailored support.

The Ready2Work Academy forms part of wider efforts in Mid and East Antrim to improve pathways into employment for young people with special educational needs as they leave education and begin preparing for adult life.

Support aimed at improving long-term employment opportunities

Labour Market Partnerships are funded by the Department for Communities and operate across council areas to develop targeted employment action plans aimed at helping people prepare for and access work.

The partnerships bring together local and regional organisations to tackle barriers to employment and support people who may need additional help entering the workforce.

In this case, the academy focused specifically on SEN school leavers who may benefit from structured support, practical experience and confidence-building opportunities before moving into employment.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, praised the young people who took part in the programme.

He said:

“The confidence and enthusiasm of the young people who took part in the Ready2Work academy is fantastic to see.

“Having the opportunity to develop valuable skills in a supportive, hands-on environment truly makes a real difference to SEN school leavers.

“Initiatives like this help open doors to meaningful employment and brighter futures; and we value the ongoing support of our hospitality and catering businesses in supporting these young people.”

An important milestone for young people preparing for adult life

The showcase café event marked the culmination of the students’ participation in the academy and represented an important milestone in their transition from education into employment.

Beyond developing practical workplace experience, the programme also aimed to strengthen confidence and independence — areas that can play a crucial role in helping young people move successfully into future employment or training opportunities.

The participating students were all SEN school leavers from Roddensvale School in Larne.

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts locally to create more inclusive employment opportunities and ensure young people with additional needs are not left behind as they move from school into the next stage of life.