Ensuring smooth transitions from start to finish

Transition is a big step for any young person. For a student with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the challenges of progressing from a familiar environment can be particularly difficult.

At specialist further education college, Derwen College, in Shropshire, we are dedicated to supporting students to achieve and exceed expectations. A robust transition process, that’s reviewed regularly, is vital for progression. Believe it or not, even while we’re ensuring that each student’s transition from school to our college is a smooth one, we’ll already be looking ahead to the next transition, perhaps towards further training, employment or greater independence.

Students beginning with us are encouraged to look to the future so we can support them towards their goals. Important questions include: What are you good at? What do you enjoy? What employment options are available to you after college? And Where would you like to live?

The Admissions team urge families to start looking at post-16 options early – up to three or four years before start date; attend transition events, open days and taster days in the years leading up to transition.

At Derwen, we work as a team with care, teaching and therapy staff, as well as former schools, local authorities, therapists and experts involved in student’s care, to ensure we have the right support in place from the very beginning.

This transition process continues through College. Training for work and independent living, as well as a robust careers programme, travel training, and health and wellbeing education, all provide students with the scaffolding needed for a successful transition to life after College.

Work experience is an important part of learning for the future. Students work in the college’s onsite ‘Marketplace’ – which includes a garden centre and gift shop, charity shop, café, restaurant and training hotel. When ready, they progress to external work placements at one of the many local and national businesses we partner with.

Looking ahead to transition after College makes an enormous impact to a young person’s ambitions and future success.

In 2022, the College was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, recognising the education and vocational training it provides for young people from across the UK. Students learn work skills in the public-facing garden centre and shop, café, restaurant, charity shop and training hotel, increasing their chances for employment and independent living post-college.

Retail and Enterprise student

Tom graduated in 2021. In his final year, through regular meetings, speaking to him, his family and local authority, it was identified that an admin -based supported internship in his home area would progress his training towards work.

The College worked with his London authority to identify opportunities, and enabled Tom to gain a place on a supported internship programme at West Middlesex Hospital to which he travelled to work on his own by public transport.

His parents say: ‘The internship was a great next step for Tom to build on his skills with a view to finding an appropriate employment opportunity in the future. As a result of this, he has just started 2023 with the offer of his first paid job at the hospital!”

A clear transition process has enabled Tom to be involved in setting goals and achieving his aspirations.

For other students, transition to work has been a bit more challenging. Hospitality and Food student Carter excelled in his work in the College’s small training hotel and was offered a housekeeping job at Premier Inn. Unfortunately, Covid struck and Carter couldn’t take up the job offer until nearly a year later. Derwen College continued to support Carter in his transition through one of the Derwen Hospitality teachers, who accompanied him to his local Premier Inn on several occasions, and helped him to learn the updated rules and regulations that the Covid pandemic had instigated.

Carter now lives in a shared house with friends and has a paid job.

Carter’s mum, Pam, says: “Thank goodness for this amazing provision at Derwen. The mini training hotel at Derwen has created fantastic opportunities for so many students. My son is now a valued member of Premier Inn staff.”

Derwen College is proud to say that by working together with valued stakeholders from across the UK, it is able to support students to focus on and achieve ambitious transitions.

Carter’s mum sums it up in one sentence. “Derwen gave Carter the skills and confidence he needs to live the life he wants and deserves.”

Visit derwen.ac.uk for more information.