Support for Young People with Special Educational Needs
– said Steven
e? What is Transition Challeng Is it for you? Transition Challenge helps young people aged 16 – 20 with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who are leaving school. Transition Challenge makes it easier for you to take part in local opportunities. Try new things and make new friends.
This fun course offers a changing menu of experiences. Choices that best meet your needs and help you think about and prepare for your next step in life.
Transition Challenge lets you try
things to see if you might like them. This can lead to new ideas about what you might want to do with your spare time as a job or as a new learning option – such as college or training
It will help you to: find out about what is available in your local area make new friends think about what you want next build your confidence for taking that first step But don’t just take our word for it; listen to what other young people say:
Making This Leaflet To make this leaflet, young people who had taken part in the Transition Challenge course worked together. They created images that represent the things they enjoyed, the skills they learnt and the happy memories they share. For them the course was -
AboutFun
The Giant Smile was the image Daniel and Becky identified with most. It was about all the fun and enjoyment they had during their time on the course. Becky (19) may be shy, but it was her own giant smile that inspired the image. Since taking part in Transition Challenge, Becky has made the move from her post 16 Further Education Unit in School to a Specialist College in Southport. Daniel (19) admits that he is very shy and sometimes lacks confidence, but he had no need to worry, he couldn’t help but come along and join in all the fun activities. Without a doubt the time spent developing team-working skills with the Fire Brigade was his most enjoyable part, skills he hopes to use when he also starts at the Southport College.
About friends The image of the loving Gift of Friendship put forward by the whole group, sums up Robert and Chris’s thoughts about the Transition Challenge summer programme. ‘It was good fun to do. I met some old friends and a lot of new friends’, said Robert. Robert (19) has made the move to a Specialist College in Southport to build on his skills, ready for independence. Chris (16) is moving to a post sixteen unit in another special school in Southport.
About Sport and I T
The combination of a Computer and a Football mostly came from Jamie (18), who enjoyed using the computers on the course to think about what he wants to do next. The football came as a surprise to Jamie, as it was his involvement in the team games and sports that got him noticed as a natural leader, able to organise and work well with others.
The ‘hard work’ was added to the search box on the computer to show how it can be ‘hard’, thinking about your future, but by getting involved in Transition Challenge it becomes much easier. Trying new things can give you new choices for the future. Jamie, who lives in Sefton, also found it really helpful to make new friends on Transition Challenge; some of them will be starting at the same College in Southport with him in September.
About finding your way Created by the group to show how Transition Challenge had given them the chance to think about what they want and where they would like to go next, the image of the Map had another meaning for Stephen (20) . As a visually impaired student, Stephen found the course really helped ‘orientate’ him, ready for his transition to Hugh Baird College to study for his Music Diploma. When asked how he would describe the course to others, Stephen said
“It’s not scary and there is nothing hard about it, it’s just a great way to make new friends and take part in really good activities”
Tom (19) also liked the orientation part of the course, enjoying the challenge of solving puzzles. He came on the course to help him look at the opportunities available after he leaves his Specialist College. Taking a step back to look at the ‘bigger picture’ can help everyone see the World differently. Potential and opportunity are key to this ‘global view’, they are also a big part of Transition Challenge.
About cooking Picking what is right for you was a big part of the course and how to make better choices. The image of the Pizza with its different toppings captures this thought. It also stands for one of Emma’s (19) favourite activities on the programme, cookery. It doesn’t matter what you like doing, there is something for everyone on Transition Challenge. Emma found it useful in thinking about all of her post College options.
About dance Sam (19) enjoyed the fitness and dance section of the course and thought it was great the way Transition Challenge encouraged everyone to join in such a wide range of things. The whole group, to show the fun focus for the programme, added the Dancing Music Note.
About cooking Craig (19) came on Transition Challenge because both he and his family wanted him to continue developing his independent living skills, ready for his planned move to a Specialist Residential College outside of the area. The image the group put to this was of a Head Start, climbing the Ladder to Success. The independent head can be seen moving up, ready for the next step.
About communication and teamwork The giant Walkie-Talkie was a borrowed image from the work the group had done with the Fire Brigade. Standing for communication, this image is about the ways in which the programme helped people mix and make friends. Seen as important skills by Stefan (19), he would encourage people to try it for themselves.
About helping others Caring and supporting others is the meaning behind this image of a Supporting Hand, giving a hand. The group wanted this image added to the painting to show how they had come to help and encourage each other. Many felt that Gemma (16) was a shinning example of this support. Gemma herself said of the programme: “It’s really good because I met new people and had some great experiences”. After the summer programme Gemma started at Hugh Baird College.
About caring for yourself The picture of the Medical Box is about the first aid activity in the programme, but also the other ways Transition Challenge helps you think about looking after yourself. Whether it’s keeping fit, eating healthy or getting out and joining in with others.
About the big one Dan (16), a student support worker on the course, was unable to make the painting activity, which was a shame, as the final image of a Giant 1 wrapped in the Letter R sums up his caring approach. The number 1 was put forward to show how Transition Challenge is made up of people with very different needs and interests, literally ‘one of a kind’. Despite these differences, everyone agreed that they were all treated equally and in a way that made it possible for them all to really join in and take part. Treated equally and with a lot of respect,, something the whole group shared with each other and represented by the big R.
Who can take part? To take part you must Be aged between 16 – 20 Live or go to school in Sefton Have a special educational need About to leave your school or educational provider
When will it run? Transition Challenge will run over 1 week of the summer holidays.
How do I find out more? Transition Challenge is organised by Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership and Sefton Children’s Services Transitions Team. If you would like to get involved, or if you want more information about Transition Challenge, you can contact Helen Ward at the Bootle Connexions Centre or Sophie Thomson or Kath Corbin from Sefton Children’s Services Transitions Team:
helen.ward@connexionslive.com
0151 944 6100 sophie.thomson@cs.sefton.gov.uk kath.corbin@cs.sefton.gov.uk
0151 934 3830
Children's Services