Transition
The development of children and young people into young
adults is always a challenging time, for all concerned. For young
people with special needs, there are invariably extra issues that need
to be considered so that everyone can have access to the same
opportunities. Parents will feel anxious about what is ahead for the
young person, and it is important to start planning the future as early
as possible.
From the age of 14 to 19, all school students who have a
Statement of Special Educational Needs will have a meeting, at least
once a year, to discuss with various people how they are getting on and
what plans are needed for the next stage in their lives. The head
teacher arranges these meetings, which are usually held at school,
although the issues discussed are not just about school and education.
Who will be invited to attend this meeting?
- the young person
- the young person’s parents or carers
- social worker from the Disabled Children Team
- social worker from the Adult Team
- a personal adviser from the Connexions Service (see below)
- school representatives
- representatives from the Education department
- staff from any other professional agency that has had involvement with the young person
It is up to each agency to decide whether it is going to be
possible to attend the meeting. Individual circumstances will determine
who is appropriate to attend each meeting.
Issues discussed at the meeting will include the kind of
special needs that may affect future education and employment and living
arrangements, as well as medical care, financial benefits, use of
leisure facilities and support for families. A plan of the services
required after the young person leaves school will be drawn up by the
relevant professionals involved, in partnership with the young person
and their family. It is important that the plan addresses the
aspirations of the young person and, where appropriate, follows the
Person Centred Planning Model. A professional from one of the key
agencies involved in the planning will take the lead in this process,
co-ordinating the plan and ensuring the participation of the young
person and their family.
There are many choices available and many decisions to be
made around this time. To this end there is a range of specialist
services and organisations available to help young people with special
needs. A particularly useful book has been published by the Family
Fund, called After 16 - What’s New? For full details see entry
in Publications section. This book contains details of a number of these organisations
and also further literature about transition and beyond.
This publication, A transition guide for all services: key
information for professionals about the transition process for disabled
young people, provides an overarching view of all the services that need
to work together to ensure appropriate support for disabled children
throughout each stage of their life.
Hard copies of the guide, written by the Council for Disabled
Children, and jointly published by the DCSF and the DH, can be requested
from Prolog on 0845 60 222 60, quoting 00776-2007DOM-EN.
Local organisations helpful in the transition period include:
24 High Street
Bracknell
RG12 1LL
Connexions is a free and wide-ranging service for young
people aged 13 to 19 years and up to 24 years for those with special
needs. One personal adviser will be appointed for each young person,
and this personal adviser will offer support in matters such as
education and work choices, family matters, housing and health care, in
fact virtually anything that is likely to cause a problem to a young
person. This can include specialist services and resources for young
people with special needs.
The personal advisers can direct young people to a range of
other resources, such as:
This project runs short courses for young people each year
from July onwards, including Outward Bound type courses. Many of these
courses are ideal for increasing a young person’s self confidence.
Details from the Connexions Service.
c/o Glaxo Smith Kline
11 Stoke Poges Lane
Slough
SL1 3NW
The Princes Trust organises Team Programmes several times a
year, lasting 12 weeks, for young people aged 16 to 25 years. These are
currently based at Slough Young People's Centre, The High Street Slough,
and Pangbourne at Adventure Dolphin, Whitchurch Road. The programmes
offer a range of opportunities - team building, community work, planning
for the future, outdoor activities, interviewing skills, all designed to
increase motivation and build self confidence.
The programmes are open to all young people, and a range of
disabilities can be accommodated, according to individual
circumstances. There is no charge to students. The courses have a one
week residential component. Applications are made direct to the Princes
Trust.
Hut E
Wick Hill Centre
Sandy Lane
Bracknell
RG12 1JG
This is a dynamic approach for young people, designed to help
them to become independent, self motivated, informed and empowered to
take control of their lives. It is a government funded programme that
operates through a range of work and learning contexts, focussing on
basic key skills, vocational skills and personal and social
development. Applications to join the programme can either be made
through the Connexions Service or direct to the office. For further
information please contact Nickola Foord at the office listed above.
Peach Street
Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 1HY
BACYP supports clubs and projects so they can deliver the best
service for young people in Berkshire and give them the best possible
start in life. BACYP is the local branch of vinspired, and it is
for volunteers aged 16-25.
Fitzwilliam House
Skimped Hill Lane
Bracknell
RG12 1JX
| Tel: |
01344 744800 - Open Mon – Tues 9am–4.30pm, Wed 10am–4.30pm, |
|
Thurs 9am–4.30pm 9am-5pm, Fri 9am-4pm |
| Website: |
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk |
This is a new integrated work and benefit service, which has
recently opened up in Bracknell. It provides advice about job hunting
and claiming benefits at the same time. Young people can be referred to
the Disability Employment Advisers there when they reach the age of 18
years. These advisers will provide information about a variety of
schemes to assist disabled people, including the New Deal for Disabled
People, the Job Introduction Scheme and the Workstep project. There are
also Access to Work advisers, who can help disabled people.
Bracknell and Wokingham College
Church Road
Bracknell
RG12 1DJ
This is a course for 16 to 19 year olds, designed to assist
with the transition to adulthood. It is ideal for those who have
emotional, learning and behavioural difficulties, mild autism or
Asperger’s syndrome, essentially young people who still need the
structure of a learning environment beyond the age of 16 years. It
provides basic skills for working life, and also the opportunity to gain
experience in a working environment. All students have a personal tutor
to help them through the programme and the college works closely with
all the other transition support systems in Bracknell. Students on
Pathways have the opportunity to gain the equivalent of two GCSEs at
Level 1 or Level 2.
The Henley College
Deanfield Avenue
Henley-on-Thames
Oxon
RG9 1UH
The Foundation Programme
The Foundation Programme at The Henley College provides a range of
courses for students who may need more time to improve their basic
skills, or students who have mild learning difficulties or additional
needs. Many students progress onto further courses such as NVQ. All
courses within the programme benefit from additional support.
Bridge:This is a full-time, one year programme which is aimed
at students with additional needs and mild learning difficulties.
Students should be working at Entry Level 1 and 2 of the Adult Literacy
and Numeracy core curriculum. The course is designed to improve
Literacy, Numeracy and IT skills as well as preparing the students for
employment. Students spend four days in college and one day in the
workplace. Students may progress onto further courses or into employment.
Henley Pathways offers full- or part-time courses for students
aged 16+ who have severe or profound learning difficulties and disabilities.
Pathways: A three-year course for students aged 16-19. Students
work on individual targets covering the areas of communication, independent
living and physical skills.
Pathways Plus: Either a one-year course for students aged 19+ who
have completed the Pathways course or a two-year course for new students.
Both courses are accredited, via the Individual Target Plan module,
through the Southern Region Council for Education and Training. Students
are also entered for City & Guilds Numberpower and Wordpower and ESB
Oral Skills qualifications where appropriate.
Pathways Plus Adult Courses: These are part-time accredited courses
offering a variety of practical activities to adults.
For further details of the above courses, please contact Sallie Paul or
Sheelagh McGechan on extension 4045.
East Berkshire College
Langley Campus
Station Road
Langley
SL3 8BY
Windsor Campus
St Leonards Road
Windsor
SL4 3AZ
The personal Options Programme is designed to support learners with
learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LLDD) while they prepare for
life in the working world. The tutors specialise in many different types
of learning difficulties and/or disabilities and the programme of social
activities makes sure students get the most out of their time at college.
There are 4 courses: pre-entry level, entry level 1, entry level 2 and
entry level 3. All courses are for 2 years. Assessment is through
tutor-led activities, either individually or in small groups.
Thames Valley University (Reading Campus)
Crescent Road
Reading
RG1 5RQ
The LLDD Department (Learners with learning difficulties and/or
disabilities) is a vibrant specialised unit within Thames Valley
University. The lecturing and support staff are very experienced in
dealing with students with a wide range of difficulties and disabilities.
Skills for Living is a two or three year course for students with learning
difficulties and/or disabilities which starts in September; however learners
can join at any time. Students attend college for four days a week and one
day at a work experience placement if it is appropriate. The programme is
designed to help students work towards being as independent as possible
in a structured setting that encourages the acquisition of academic,
social and practical skills.
For more information call Philip Lucas, Anne Ingram or one of the LLDD
team on 0118 9675430/0118 9675425
PO Box 2101
Kirtons Farm Road
Pingewood
Reading
RG30 3ZR
Choice provides a caring, supportive and stimulating residential
environment in which people with learning disabilities and associated
complex needs can live a happy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Choice run residential care homes ranging in size from three to ten besm
in a variety of community settings, which are skilfully adapted and
furnished to a high standard. These homes provide service users with a
relaxed and comfortable environment where they are encouraged to become
active and valued participants within both their home setting and local
community.
Ravenswood Village
Nine Mile Ride
Crowthorne
RG45 6BQ
The Karten CTEC Centre is a charity which aims to enhance the quality of
life and independence of people with disabilities or ill health.
The centre welcomes adults and school leavers with disabilities or
special learning needs of all kinds.
The Centre is fully equipped with computers and specialist technology
enabling every student to have a personal computer workstation adapted
to suit their individual requirements.
Courses:
- Computer aided communication skills for people with complex disabilities
- Computer skills for fun and every day life
- Computer skills leading to recognised qualifications
- Adult literacy and numeracy
Many courses are free of charge
Chapter House
18 - 20 Crucifix Lane
London
SE1 3JW
| Tel/Minicom: |
0207 450 0620 |
| Fax: |
0207 450 0650 |
| Information Helpline: |
0800 328 5050 - Tues 11.30am-1.30pm and Thurs 1.30-3.30pm |
| Information Minicom: |
0800 068 2422 |
| E-mail: |
info@skill.org.uk |
| Website: |
www.skill.org.uk |
This organisation aims to develop and promote opportunities
in further and higher education and training for people with
disabilities and learning difficulties. It provides free information
and advice and has a very informative website. It is available for
young people aged 16 years and over.
The Transactive project
Mencap
4 Swan Courtyard
Coventry Road
Birmingham
B26 1BU
Transactive is a unique project enabling young people to make
a ‘transition passport’. This passport communicates their life
experiences and wishes for the future as they approach adulthood. The
project uses multimedia tools, like digital photography, video, scanning
and the internet.
Young people with and without a learning disability work
together to help develop the project.
YAP aims to encourage young people with a learning disability
to communicate with each other, to use the internet and to use
technology generally.
4 – 5 Town Square
Bracknell
RG12 1AU
A member-led charity for adults with learning disabilities.
For advocacy, advice, support, skills, transport, escorting, knowledge,
training, friendship and socialising.
In addition to the above resources, there is a range of
useful websites:
This covers information, products and services for young
people with disabilities, including job vacancies.
Natspec contains a comprehensive list of further education
residential colleges for young people with disabilities. All member
colleges have OFSTED approval for funding purposes.
There is an excellent fact-sheet on this website, called
Transition in England and Wales: Preparing for Adult Life
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