Regional SEN Transition to Employment Project The Real Opportunities Project is a ÂŁ15,431,057 initiative that aims to support 14-19 year olds with Severe and Complex Needs, a Learning Disability or an Autistic Spectrum Disorder in their transition to adulthood. The project is funded by the European Social Fund and match funded by the Local Authorities it is operating in. The aim of the project is to provide opportunities, training and activities for young people with additional learning needs in order to develop the skills and confidence that will allow them to pursue their interests and goals in life, and to ultimately lead a more independent adult life, alleviating dependence on the benefit system and their families/carers. Services offered through the project include supported employment, independent living skills development, psychology support, youth inclusion, Duke of Edinburgh, peer mentors and accredited training, for young people their parents/carers and professionals.
Providing Real Opportunities for Young People in the Transition to Adulthood
How it Works Real Opportunities works with young Young people on the project have people aged 14-19 with Severe and access to the following specialist Complex Needs, a Learning Disability staff: Transition Key Worker or an Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Family Liaison to support them in becoming as Person Centred Planning Officer independent as possible in their Independent Living Skills adult lives. Psychology Support To do this, the project has a team of staff or ‘hub team’ in each local authority (usually based within a special school) who work closely with the young person to develop a transition plan. The hub team staff work together with the young person and their families, and other professionals in their lives to create a plan that is comprehensive, individual and centred around the person. Once this plan is made, it is reviewed regularly to monitor progress and to ensure it still reflects the young person’s interests and goals. Young people have access to specialist staff on the team who will support them, work with them and help them to achieve the goals they set out in their plan. For example, a young person who would like to attend a local youth club will work with the youth inclusion officer, where as a young person who would like to be able to do his own washing, will work with the independent living skills worker.
Duke of Edinburgh Officer Youth Inclusion Social Enterprise Officer Peer Mentor Coordinator
The project also works with, supports and provides training for parents and carers, teachers, professionals and peers to support the young person in all aspects of their lives and to promote person centred thinking and collaborative working between everyone who is involved in that young person’s life. After just three months of working with the Real Opportunities team in Merthyr, Ricky Price aged 19 (right), started to make positive changes in his life. Thanks to the additoinal support, Ricky was able to gain a place onto a mainstream IT course at a local College, which is something that his grandparents have said he would not have been able to do without the support of the team.
Peer Mentors The Project is delivering accredited training to peer mentor volunteers so that young people have access to support within a variety of settings, youth clubs, schools, employment etc. Support from peers is a far more natural means of support and in most cases far more preferred.
Employment Support The project works with expert external supported employment agencies to provide training, support and employment opportunities to young people. Services include accredited training, development of employability skills, employer training and tailored supported work experience placements. Agencies include Elite, Mencap, Remploy and the National Autistic Society.
Training Information and Research
How to Get Involved Anyone can refer a young person onto the project that meet the criteria of ‘14-19 with Severe and Complex Needs, a Learning Disability or an Autistic Spectrum Disorder’. Referrals are made using a set referral process; forms can be obtained from your local hub team, from the central team, or by getting in touch with the training & information team (contact information overleaf)
Where is it happening?
To ensure the project is working The project is operating in the in the best possible way for young following local authorities: people, the Welsh Centre for Rhondda Cynon Taff Learning Disabilities is conducting Carmarthenshire research into the project outcomes. Merthyr To disseminate best practice across Caerphilly Wales and further afield, and to Bridgend share news and promote the project Torfaen Learning Disability Wales is providing Pembrokeshire a training and information service Neath Port Talbot which also delivers training to parents, Swansea project staff and professionals.
Contact Us For more information about the project please contact the training and information team: Information Officer: Laura Training Officer: Hannah Manager: Zoe Office Address: Training & Information Team Learning Disability Wales Newby House Neath Abbey Business Park Neath SA10 7DR Phone: 01792 817224 E-mail: realopportunities@learningdisabilitywales.org.uk