Moving on... Education, Employment and Volunteering. Education. Fact Sheet 2. Staying on at school

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1 Moving on... ransition Pathway Fact Sheet 2 Education, Employment and Volunteering All young people need to consider their post 16 options, including further education or employment to volunteering opportunities. For young people with a Statement of Special Educational Needs they should start planning their post 16 opportunities during their Transition Reviews. Education Staying on at school When your son or daughter turns 16 they have a number of options including staying on at school,staying on at sixth form or going to college. There are a number of special schools in Essex that have further education departments where young people can continue their learning until Year 14, when they reach 19 years. Staying on at school is not for everyone and your son or daughter needs to think carefully and make sure it s the right path for them. You will also need to find out the entry criteria for your school s further education department as the criteria varies from school to school. It is very important that your son or daughter includes their plans in their Transition planning and discusses them with their SENCAN Locality Case Work Manager, Personal Adviser, school and social services (if applicable).

2 SEN establishments with Further Education (FE) departments Beacon Hill School, South Ockendon Tel: Columbus School, Chelmsford Tel: Edith Borthwick, Braintree Tel: Glennwood School, Benfleet Tel: Harlow Fields School, Harlow Tel: Lancaster School, Southend Tel: Lexdon Springs, Colchester Tel: Oakview School, Loughton Tel: Shorefields School, Clacton Tel: Southview School, Witham Tel: The Pioneer School, Basildon Tel: Treetops School, Thurrock Tel: Going to a local college The alternative to staying on at school is going to the local college. Further Education colleges generally offer a wide range of vocational and academic courses. They provide support for students with additional needs including specialist teaching support, one to one support if required, lifts/ramps and specialist equipment. Many students will attend mainstream courses with extra support, whilst others will choose more specialist courses to meet their individual needs. These courses will aim to increase independence and confidence and will usually provide basic educational support specifically focused on the development of independent living skills. Once again talk to your son or daughter and explore different options and take into account their views and aspirations for the future. Encourage your son or daughter to visit their local colleges and investigate which one can meet their individual needs, goals and aspirations.

3 Local colleges Braintree College Tel: Chelmsford College Tel: Colchester Institute Tel: The Sixth Form College, Colchester Tel: Epping Forest College Tel: Harlow College Tel: Otley College Tel: Palmer s College Tel: SEEVIC College Tel: South Essex College Tel: Writtle College Tel: Out of county further education In some cases young people find that the local further education opportunities are not suitable for them. In these cases you have a right to explore further education opportunities out of county. If this is the case you and your and son or daughter will need to put forward a case to support your application and Essex County Council will assess your funding request. Please ask your Additional Needs Personal Adviser for more information.

4 Employment opportunities Across Essex there are a number of organisations that support young people with a disability and/or additional needs to prepare for work, find jobs and live more independently. There are many types of jobs which may be on offer including office work, shop work, practical work like catering, motor mechanics, building and hairdressing or working with children. Most of these jobs would incorporate a training programme. Where applicable it is very important to include your son or daughter s plans and thoughts on their future employment in their Transition Plan. Your Personal Adviser can give you advice and support and help them prepare for interviews, as well as introducing your son or daughter to the Disability Employment Adviser at Jobcentre Plus. Your Personal Adviser will also give you and your son or daughter information and advice on: supported Employment for example, your son or daughter could do a job but they need a support worker to work alongside them for a while until they get used to it Access to Work this scheme is funded by Jobcentre Plus and provides help with various aspects of work, for example: adaptations to premises or equipment help with travel costs for people who are unable to use public transport special aids or equipment providing support workers. Below are links to some of the organisations that could support your son or daughter into the world of work: MENCAP Pathway is an employment scheme for people with learning disabilities from Mencap.

5 RNID This site offers advice for people who are deaf/hard of hearing and their employers. Sign Post This charity provides their services free of charge to residents of Colchester and Tendring. They provide help with writing a CV, completing applications forms, IT skills and dealing with redundancy. Direct Gov This offers advice for disabled teenagers on the transition to adult services and provides information on the choices you have to make on education and employment options and independent living Essex Cares: Employment and Inclusion Seek paid employment for young people with a learning disability Jobcentre Plus Advice on finding work and benefits In Control Information on supported employment Papworth Trust Employment advice and advisers to support young people looking for work in the Eastern region

6 Post-16 Transport If your son or daughter has decided to stay on at school/college beyond year 11, they can apply for Post-16 Transport Assistance to help cover the costs for journeys to and from school/college. The application for support will need to be made every year whilst your child remains in education. It will be assumed that a young person will use public transport unless they provide evidence to support their request for alternative transport. For more information please call: or visit Your son or daughter can also apply for Travel Training. Travel Training is designed to help people get more from life by giving them the confidence to travel independently. Trainers will accompany trainees on their journeys, providing encouragement and guidance until the trainees have developed the appropriate skills to travel independently. For more information please call: or visit Volunteering Volunteering can help a young person to achieve personal development, giving your son or daughter the chance to meet new people, learn new skills and gain life and work experience. Prior to a Transition Review why not visit some of the websites below and encourage your son or daughter to think about the kind of volunteering they would be interested in. Volunteering charity for 16 to 25 year olds Volunteering England Information on volunteering in England I Will volunteer A volunteer organisation for young people in Essex

7 Transition Planning Check list Where relevant ensure education, employment and volunteering is included in the Transition Plan? If your son or daughter wants to stay in education have they fully investigated all the options and ensured they are on the right path for them? If your son or daughter wants to stay on at school have they made their intentions known to the school and has it been included in the Transition Plan? If your son or daughter wants to go to the local college have they visited the college and ensured it meets their individual needs? Have you thought about post 16 transport and made a note that you will need to make an application every year? If your son or daughter wants to volunteer have you looked at all the options and has it been included in the Transition Plan?

8 Notes: This fact sheet is issued by Essex County Council Transition Pathway Service. You can contact us in the following ways: By telephone: Visit our website: The information contained in this document can be translated, and/ or made available in alternative formats, on request. Published March 2011 DS /CDS