9/11/2023

Cardiff Council's Education Catering Service have been recognisedfor its dedication, innovation and outstanding contribution made in the school catering sector. 

During a recent awards ceremony, held by LACA - The School Food People, Wales Region  Cardiff was the winner of the Community Impact category for the delivery of theFlexible Supported Employment Pathway (FSEP).

FSEP providesyoung people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) the support and training necessary so that they can successfully go onto employmentand isdelivered by theCardiff Commitmentin partnership with theLocal Authority's post 16 ALN Teamand Cardiff Council's Education Catering Service, as the employment partner.

Sincelaunching in May, four young people with additional learning needs and/or autism, have received training and 12-month work experience placements to prepare and support them in their transition from school to full time employment.

The pupilsaged 16-18 from the Specialist Resource Bases at Cantonian and Llanishen High Schools gained hands-on experience in a commercial kitchen and accessed work skills training, including the Level 2 Food Safety Qualification. They have gained access to unique opportunities and transitioned into paid employment through theFood & Funinitiative,Cardiff's multi-award-winning school holiday enrichment programme which provides children with health and well-being provision during the school holidays.

The programme is now planned to be expanded to include pupils from Cardiff West Community High School and Eastern High School.

Cardiff Council's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "It is excellent that our teams have gained recognition for some of the fantastic work being carried out across Cardiff's school catering service.

"TheFlexible Supported Employment Pathway has successfully helped the young people involved, to build independence and confidence, equipping them with the skills and knowledgeso that they can go onto to find future employment.

"Contributingto Cardiff's objectives tosupport children and young people who require additional provision and guidance, the scheme provides tangible opportunitiesandaccess to good-quality work experience placementsfor learners to integrate as an employee and experience what a working environment entails and what is expected of them."

In addition to the Community Impact Award, Cardiff's Education Catering Service has also been awarded the Welsh Government Food in Schools Award for the work undertaken to roll out the Universal Free School Meal Scheme for primary aged children, which is now provided to all pupils from Reception to Year 3.

Cllr Merry added: "It is pleasing that Welsh Government have acknowledged the significant work carried out by Local Authorities across the country to deliver the Universal Free School Meal Scheme.Council teams continue to work hard to increase catering capacity and put provision in place so that free school meals can be rolled out to the remaining primary year groups against the target dates, as soon as schools are able to do so."

Read more about the LACA Awards here:LACA announces winners of Wales Awards | LACA, the school food people