AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
An autistic boy from Brentwood has been left "heartbroken" after a second-hand tech shop terminated his work experience placement after only a day.
Fernanda and son Ricardo
Fernanda Conde's son Ricardo, 15, was not allowed back to CeX at The Baytree Centre in Brentwood to complete a two-week placement after his first day.
Mrs Conde claims the firm was aware of Ricardo's learning difficulties and initially said it was fine for him to complete his work experience.
But after a day in the job his placement was ended because CeX realised he needed "constant supervision" that was impossible with just two staff working.
Mrs Conde said: "We went on Monday and Ricardo was looking forward to it.
"The manager told me he was aware of my son's autism and said it wouldn't be a problem.
"But when I went to pick him up on the Tuesday, the atmosphere was very frosty and no one was very smiley.
"I asked how my son did and the manager said he was fine but he talks a lot."
Later that evening Mrs Conde says she received a call from The Endeavour School, the special school where Ricardo is a pupil, saying that he could not return to the shop.
"I was fuming," Mrs Conde said.
When Essex Live approached CeX for comment, they stressed the firm is an equal opportunities employer and said the situation with Ricardo was "unfortunate."
The Brentwood store could not take on Ricardo for a work placement
A spokesman said: "The key issue here has been a lack communication from the agency finding Ricardo a work placement in terms of informing us of his special needs.
"When introducing Ricardo to the work environment it was discovered that he would need constant supervision, something that was simply not possible, due to the workload and staffing in the store as Brentwood often operates with only two staff.
"This meant it would not have been a suitable store to gain work experience, as Ricardo would have been left waiting for staff to assist him between customers and other tasks.
"Our store manager, consulted with our HR team and contacted the agency to explain we would not be in a position to continue with the work experience placement for Ricardo.
"We appreciate this is an unfortunate situation."
But Mrs Conde says she was "distraught" because she claims the shop was already aware of her son's problems.
She said: "They already knew this and so now my son is so upset.
"It took us a long time to get him there in the first place and every morning is just a fight because he wants to go back to the shop.
"My son is totally heartbroken and angry. It's so unfair. Where can he be taken on?"
Despite Ricardo's initial reluctance to complete the placement at CeX, he soon came round after meeting the team.
"He even asked me to ring the manager to ask if he could come in earlier," said Mrs Conde.
"He saw me crying that evening so he knew something was wrong."
Ricardo has now completed his work experience at his own school working as a caretaker.
Mrs Conde said: "I hate making him go to school.
"He has been doing care-taking and office work but he is so upset.
"It's not his fault, he just wants to be given a chance."
The CeX spokesman added: "If we had been aware in advance, we could have discussed reasonable adjustments to support him through his placement.
"We would not wish to put Ricardo in a situation that could potentially cause him distress.
"Larger CeX stores in Central London and Ipswich are suitable and would be happy to offer Ricardo the opportunity to complete his work experience if this works for him."
Endeavour is a Special School for children with learning difficulties and complex needs.
Source: Autistic boy heartbroken as Brentwood store deny work experience
An autistic boy from Brentwood has been left "heartbroken" after a second-hand tech shop terminated his work experience placement after only a day.
Fernanda and son Ricardo
Fernanda Conde's son Ricardo, 15, was not allowed back to CeX at The Baytree Centre in Brentwood to complete a two-week placement after his first day.
Mrs Conde claims the firm was aware of Ricardo's learning difficulties and initially said it was fine for him to complete his work experience.
But after a day in the job his placement was ended because CeX realised he needed "constant supervision" that was impossible with just two staff working.
Mrs Conde said: "We went on Monday and Ricardo was looking forward to it.
"The manager told me he was aware of my son's autism and said it wouldn't be a problem.
"But when I went to pick him up on the Tuesday, the atmosphere was very frosty and no one was very smiley.
"I asked how my son did and the manager said he was fine but he talks a lot."
Later that evening Mrs Conde says she received a call from The Endeavour School, the special school where Ricardo is a pupil, saying that he could not return to the shop.
"I was fuming," Mrs Conde said.
When Essex Live approached CeX for comment, they stressed the firm is an equal opportunities employer and said the situation with Ricardo was "unfortunate."
The Brentwood store could not take on Ricardo for a work placement
A spokesman said: "The key issue here has been a lack communication from the agency finding Ricardo a work placement in terms of informing us of his special needs.
"When introducing Ricardo to the work environment it was discovered that he would need constant supervision, something that was simply not possible, due to the workload and staffing in the store as Brentwood often operates with only two staff.
"This meant it would not have been a suitable store to gain work experience, as Ricardo would have been left waiting for staff to assist him between customers and other tasks.
"Our store manager, consulted with our HR team and contacted the agency to explain we would not be in a position to continue with the work experience placement for Ricardo.
"We appreciate this is an unfortunate situation."
But Mrs Conde says she was "distraught" because she claims the shop was already aware of her son's problems.
She said: "They already knew this and so now my son is so upset.
"It took us a long time to get him there in the first place and every morning is just a fight because he wants to go back to the shop.
"My son is totally heartbroken and angry. It's so unfair. Where can he be taken on?"
Despite Ricardo's initial reluctance to complete the placement at CeX, he soon came round after meeting the team.
"He even asked me to ring the manager to ask if he could come in earlier," said Mrs Conde.
"He saw me crying that evening so he knew something was wrong."
Ricardo has now completed his work experience at his own school working as a caretaker.
Mrs Conde said: "I hate making him go to school.
"He has been doing care-taking and office work but he is so upset.
"It's not his fault, he just wants to be given a chance."
The CeX spokesman added: "If we had been aware in advance, we could have discussed reasonable adjustments to support him through his placement.
"We would not wish to put Ricardo in a situation that could potentially cause him distress.
"Larger CeX stores in Central London and Ipswich are suitable and would be happy to offer Ricardo the opportunity to complete his work experience if this works for him."
Endeavour is a Special School for children with learning difficulties and complex needs.
Source: Autistic boy heartbroken as Brentwood store deny work experience
