INDIVIDUALS and employers who support young people with special educational needs were recognised at an inaugural awards ceremony.

The business partnership awards, set up by Dove House School Academy’s Post 16, was a celebration of the commitment of people and organisations to supporting young people with learning difficulties.

At the event, more than 50 businesses were congratulated and awarded certificates by the mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Paul Frankum, for their partnerships with the school and the Post-16 department.

Assistant headteacher at Dove House and head of Post-16, Hannah Stroud, who organised the event ,said: “It is vital that employers are rewarded for thinking positively about disability, all of our young people at Dove House have and abundance of skills ready and waiting to be utilised.

“At Dove House Post 16 we help to match those learners to employers where they quickly, with the right support, become valuable and productive members of the workforce.”

The lineup of the evening included awards for businesses which offer work placements, extended work placements and supported internships, as well as paid employment for young people with special educational needs and learning difficulties.

The evening also commended those in categories such as business mentors, community partnerships and ambassador of the year for the community and for the workplace.

Any businesses wishing to get involved in supporting young people with special needs in to employment should e-mail H.stroud@dovehouse.hants.sch.uk.