A 21-year-old man with disabilities has been rejected three times for a binman job with Southampton City Council, despite completing a nine-month unpaid internship with the authority. Bryan Rowe's mother has slammed the council's handling of the situation as "cruel and unfair," arguing it has left her son devastated and questioning his self-worth.
Unpaid Internship and Repeated Rejections
Bryan Rowe worked unpaid at Southampton City Council from November 2024 to June 2025 as part of a supported internship program. During this time, he served as a lorry loader and was described as "always enthusiastic" and punctual. Upon completing the internship, he was encouraged to apply for vacancies within the council.
However, Mr Rowe, who has ADHD and myotonic dystrophy—a form of muscular dystrophy affecting muscles and organs—was rejected twice for a binman position. The council later claimed the first rejection was sent in error due to incorrect information being distributed to applicants.
Third Rejection and Family Outrage
After being called in for an interview following the initial errors, Mr Rowe was rejected a third time. His mother, Claire Rowe, expressed fury at the council's actions, stating they should have "just said no" initially rather than putting her son through repeated disappointments.
"You were better off saying no and letting us be done with it," Ms Rowe said. "Now they've kicked him back in the teeth again. I find that hard to take as his mother that has spent the weekend trying to explain to him that he is good enough."
She added: "I just think it's cruel and unfair. He wants to get out there as a disabled person and work and get some confidence, some money of his own. He is devastated, it's absolutely awful."
Council Response and Recruitment Review
A spokesperson for Southampton City Council told reporters: "We received a high volume of applications for the advertised role; however, we cannot comment on individual applications or candidates. All the applications and interviews have followed the council's recruitment process. We wish all of the unsuccessful candidates well in their future endeavours."
Ms Rowe has filed a formal complaint with the council and was informed that Southampton City Council is reviewing its recruitment services. The case has raised questions about how local authorities handle internship programs and subsequent job applications, particularly for candidates with disabilities.
Personal Impact and Future Prospects
Mr Rowe, who has wanted to be a binman since childhood, said after the first two rejections: "I felt very disappointed not to get the job after two interviews with the council I worked for. I told mum that I am not good enough to get anything, not even a binman job."
His mother questioned how people are supposed to gain sufficient experience when unpaid internships don't lead to employment opportunities. "He worked for free for nine months, he was always enthusiastic and on time," she said. "How are people meant to get enough experience?"
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in employment pathways for disabled individuals and the ethical considerations surrounding unpaid internship programs in public sector organizations.
