Laney's story: Her experience on the Devon Partnership NHS Trust apprenticeship programme for learners with disabilities

Laney works for Devon Partnership NHS Trust, which provides a wide range of NHS services to people with mental health and learning disability needs in Devon, the wider South West region and nationally.

Laney has cerebral palsy, worked as a support worker at the Trust and was given the opportunity to start The Open University (OU) Higher Apprenticeship in Health (Assistant Practitioner). She is now close to completing the programme and awaiting her End Point Assessment. During the programme, Laney has been promoted to the role of Assistant Practitioner (Mental Health).

Following The Open University’s report that more should be done to attract and retain apprentices with declared disabilities, Laney is an excellent example of how employers and providers are working in partnership to deliver successful programmes.

Unlike classroom-based learning, online learning provided by the OU allows apprentices such as Laney to approach their learning in a more flexible manner around their condition, shift work and workplace needs.