Regional SEN Transition to Employment Initiative - Work Package 1 Employment

Descriptions

Funding has been secured from the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) to deliver the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Transition to Employment project under:Priority 1: Supplying Young People with Skills for Learning and Future EmploymentTheme 1: Tackling UnderachievementThe SEN Transition to Employment initiative is a Regional Strategic project that will be phased in across the following local authority areas: Caerphilly, Torfaen, Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.The project participants will be primarily young people aged 14 – 19 years who have severe and complex needs, including those with a learning disability, those with an autistic spectrum disorder. However, allowance will be made for around 15% of these beneficiaries to continue after their 20th birthday but not after they reach 25 years. Participants will reside and/or be educated within the areas covered by the project. In addition, the project will work with parents/carers of the participants, young people who train as peer mentors and with employers.This innovative project will seek to motivate young people and others in their life to prepare for the future by working with them to raise aspirations and motivation, increase participation in learning, volunteering and employment opportunities and therefore take steps towards a more meaningful adult life. It will work in a person centred way and will provide appropriate support for a successful transition from education to vocational training and employment. Information, knowledge and skills gained will be disseminated to other agencies, organisations and stakeholders across Wales and beyond so that the best practice exemplified by the project will benefit as many people as possible. The project will develop a Toolkit of good practice and procedural guidance in the design and operation of the elements, linked to evaluation outcomes that can be replicated elsewhere. The working language of the project will be English but the Welsh language will be promoted with materials available in Welsh as required.Service Provider(s) will be appointed to deliver individually tailored packages of work preparation and supported employment to participants throughout the areas covered by the project. Service Provider(s) will develop and deliver a programme of work preparation for young people with severe and complex needs.