Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet Bridging the Gap Transitional support to employment for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities Presentation by Ela Nisbet Outreach Transition Worker at Oaklands College, Hertfordshire Filming and technical support Sharon Stone

Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet Supported Employment National context: It is estimated that only between 5%-10% of people with learning disabilities in the UK are in paid employment. Local context: “The downturn in the UK economy is having an immediate and significant impact on young people and their ability to get a job” – Employment in Hertfordshire, Youth Connexions, Supported employment: It is a means of preparing disabled for work, finding them jobs and sustaining their long-term employment. People who want to work are provided with support in order to do so.

Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet Transition to Employment programme The best way to learn about work is by doing a real job … Unique, individual and personalised programme linking education with employment Innovative and holistic approach – embedding SE into FE Positive and realistic – looking at what person CAN DO and supporting them to achieve Inclusive – same approach, mainstream and discrete provisions Flexible - fits around the learner and their college course Personal and vocational development with a specific focus on employment – gradual development of social skills and vocational competence in real work settings Partnership working: employers, parents, Connexions, supported employment agencies and other service providers Valued contribution to society - paid and voluntary work options Continuum of support

Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet Key element: structured, supported work placements Opportunities for young people to … experience the real world of work apply skills learnt at the college to a real job learn new skills and grow confident in the workplace develop positive relationships with work colleagues and be accepted by them find enjoyable and sustainable employment Enabling them to … live more independent and fulfilling lives make a real contribution to the local community and become a valued part of it Opportunities for local employers to get to know and … recruit hard-working, skilled and committed workers

Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet Case studies Jonathon Lennon: in education and training; independent traveller (self-taught); ambition to go to university to study Film Making Mainstream secondary school – 3 GCSE’s Discrete and mainstream provisions at Oaklands – hard work and steady progress: BTEC First Diploma IT Ready to Work BTEC National Award IT BTEC First Diploma in Art and Design BTEC National Diploma in Interactive Media Supported work placements: Over 60’s Club, HertfordshirePASS and Marks and Spencer (ongoing)

Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet

Case studies Mark Boxer: combining education with part-time paid employment; independent traveller; car driver; living independently. Left special school at 16 Mainstream at Oaklands: Entry Level Business Administration and Retail Introduction to voluntary work Travel training Supported work placement at Waitrose resulting in part-time paid employment Driving test: passed at first attempt! Progression to National Diploma in Business BBC LSC Big Skill (Skills for Work) winner in 2009 Truly independent: living on his own, trip to New York in 2010

Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet

Case studies Jonathon Elkhuja: completing college education in 2010 and progressing into part-time paid employment and further training with his employer; independent living. Mainstream secondary education An FE college in Herts: discrete provision Discrete provision at Oaklands: Ready to Work course Supported work placement at Oaklands Learning for Living and Work award winner 2009 Mainstream at Oaklands: Introduction Diploma in Health and Social Care Supported work placement at Quantum Care Greenacres Residential Home resulting in part-time paid employment; leaving college in 2010 to achieve full-time employment and further training with Greenacres Fully independent living and working

Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet

Case studies Lee Saunders: left college in 2008; in part-time paid employment since May 2007 Special school, another college in Hertfordshire, then Ready to Work course at Oaklands Supported work placement at Somerfields and job coaching to become an in-store Bakery Worker Achievement: part-time paid employment at Somerfields Inspired to study Entry Level Business Administration and Retail - combining education with part-time employment Left college in 2008 In unsupported employment since 2009 Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet

A BIG THANK YOU Jonathon Lennon, Hilda Lennon and Marks and Spencer, London Colney Mark Boxer, Sarah Boxer and Mark’s employer Waitrose, WGC Jonathon Elkhuja and his employer Quantum Care Greenacres Residential Home, Hatfield Lee Saunders and his employer Somerfields (now Co-op), WGC Supporting learners with learning difficulties and disabilities in their transition from education to employment Ela Nisbet