Opening doors to SEND talent

Learning Disability Week is a timely reminder that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always equally accessible. 

The scale of the opportunity 

Across England, more young people are being identified as having special educational needs (SEN), part of the wider special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) landscape. The latest figures show: 

• Over 1.7 million school pupils in England had identified SEN in January 2025, representing 19.6% of all pupils. 

• 482,640 pupils in schools had an education, health and care plan, up 11.1% from the previous year. 

• Only 6% of adults with a learning disability known to their local authority in England are in paid work, despite 86% wanting a paid job. Compared with a wider UK employment rate of around 75%. 

Together, these figures underline both the challenge and the opportunity for employers, educators and industry bodies to help create clearer, more inclusive pathways into work. 

From education to employment: where support matters most 

For many young people with special educational needs and disabilities, the move from education into employment can feel uncertain. They may have limited exposure to employers, be unsure what types of roles are available, or face barriers in recruitment processes that were not designed with them in mind - from traditional application formats to interview structures that do not reflect different communication styles. 

With the right support, early engagement and practical insight, more young people can build confidence, understand their strengths and see a clearer pathway into work. 

Bringing industry into the classroom 

To help address this gap, IGD is hosting employability workshops with SEND schools during Learning Disability Week. The sessions will bring students together with industry experts who have experience of learning difficulties and disabilities, helping students explore the breadth of careers available across the food and consumer goods industry. These workshops aim to help more young people with SEND feel seen, supported and better informed about the world of work. 

Students will be able to hear directly from people working in the industry, ask questions, understand different routes into employment and learn more about the skills employers value. Just as importantly, they will be able to see that there is a place for different talents, experiences and ways of thinking across our sector.  

Why this matters for businesses 

At a time when the food industry faces ongoing labour and skills challenges, widening access to underrepresented talent is both a business and social imperative. Attracting and retaining a broader range of people supports future growth, resilience and innovation. Building more inclusive routes into work is not only the right thing to do; it also helps businesses access wider talent pools and create workplaces that better reflect the communities they serve.  

Learning Disability Week provides an important moment to reflect on that challenge, but the opportunity goes beyond one week. Employers can make a difference by offering workplace encounters, supporting employability programmes, sharing role models, reviewing recruitment practices and making sure early careers routes are accessible.  

Jamie Lawson, Director of People at Asda highlights how structured programmes can deliver benefits for both individuals and employers: 

Next steps 

If your business would like to support future employability activity to help young people explore careers in the food and consumer goods industry, please contact IGD to find out how to get involved – [email protected]