Transcript Slide 1

A Model for Transitions
Services
Clair Whiteside
Marie-Therese Cassin
Carrieann Rainey
www.cedar-foundation.org
Introduction to The Cedar
Foundation
• Established in 1941
• Registered Charity & Company Limited by
Guarantee
• Services for people with Physical Disability / Brain
Injury
• Regional Organisation / 22 service locations
• 270 Staff
• 1,700 Service Users
The Cedar Foundation
Vision and Mission
The Cedar Foundation’s Vision is a society in
which disabled adults and children are fully
included citizens.
Our Mission is to provide quality support, care,
accommodation and training services to enable
disabled adults and children to participate in all
aspects of community life.
What Cedar Does…
•
•
•
•
Training Services
Brain Injury
Living Options
Children & Young People Services
Children and Young People’s
Service
Our History
• Children and Young Peoples Service was
established in June 1995.
• Regional development of Fieldwork Service in
Sperrin Lakeland and Foyle areas in 1999
• Development of Outlook and Transition Services in
2001
• Development of Youth Matters Service in June
2004 in Belfast and Foyle area
• In 2009 - 25 services regionally
Our Vision is…..
That all disabled children in Northern Ireland will
achieve their individual potential and look forward
with confidence to the future
Our Values…
All children and young people:
•Will be treated with dignity and respect
•Have rights as an individual
•Be active and valuable participants in society
•Have a voice and fully participate in the
decisions that affect their life
Regional Services
Regional Services
A range of services have been developed through
an Integrated Family Support Model
•Outlook
•Transitions
•Youth Matters
At present 919 families accessing services
regionally
Transitions
An early intervention service working with young
disabled people aged 16-20 years in transition
from school to further education, training and
employment
Cedar History of Transitions
•A.C.E.T. – Agencies in Consortium for Education & Training
A Model of Delivery for Transitions Services
–
–
Transitions Project (2001-current), 3 yr pilot in
Fleming Fulton and Mitchell House Schools
The Pan Disability Transitions Project (20032006)
•Regional role out of Cedar Transitions Service
Transitions Research
“The need for improved co-ordination and planning
for disabled young people in transitions. The need
for a more co-ordinated interagency approach”
Monteith, M and Sneddon H, The Circumstances, Experiences and
aspirations of Young People with Disabilities Making the Transition to
Adulthood. April 1999, CCCR, QUB
Transitions Research
Dfes: Every Child Matter 2003, Government Paper
highlighted 5 key areas to be addressed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be Healthy
Stay Safe
Enjoy & Achieve
Make a Positive Contribution
5.
Achieve an economic well being
Transitions Research
“At the age of 26, disabled people were nearly
four times more likely to be unemployed
or involuntary out of work than non-disabled
people”
Joseph Rowntree Foundation Briefing Paper 0565, November 2005
Aspirations
•
•
•
•
•
•
Employment
Qualifications
Family
Own Home
Holiday’s
Drive
Findings by Joseph Rowntree
Findings from research showed young disabled people at school
leaving age had;
•Lower level of qualifications
•Limited access to collaborative working
•Unequal opportunities to employment, training or education post school
•High percentage did not achieve their original occupational aim
•Limited knowledge of services available to them
•Lack of continuity of support
Issues for Young People in
Transitions
•Qualification attainment
•Opportunities to Employment, Training and Further & Higher Education
•Availability of accessible Housing
•Social Isolation
•Confidence and Self Esteem
•Access to Health & Social Services i.e. Social Worker, Therapy staff
•Opportunity to be “respected and included members of society”.
Independent External
Evaluation
•Jane Field Education & Development. The
Transitions Project Final Evaluation Report. May
2005
•Quaesitum independent Evaluation and Research.
February 2006
Independent External
Evaluation
“The project focuses on individuals and is customised
to each trainee’s needs and aspirations for the future.
The impact on young people is very positive – they
describe themselves as more confident and happier,
better able to integrate into the world of training,
further education and employment”
Quaesitum independent Evaluation and Research. February 2006
Cedar Transition Service
www.cedar-foundation.org
Transitions
The Transitions Service aims to support young
disabled people aged 16 - 20 years in their
transition from school to further and higher
education, training or employment.
10 Services Regionally
• 3 services within Belfast HSCT
• 2 services within Southeastern HSCT
• 4 services within Western HSCT
• 1 service within Southern HSCT
Referral Criteria to the
Transitions Programme
• Young Person with a physical disability, medical
condition and or a hidden disability
• Young Person aged 16 – 20 years residing
within specific Trust area
This may vary according to Trust area
Transitions Programme
Cedar’s Transitions Service is a 2 year programme
• Year 1 – working with 15-20 young people in
their final year of school
• Year 2 – tracking and monitoring year
Year 1
•Support young people and schools in identifying
and organising work experience
•Facilitate visits for young people to Further and
Higher Education facilities, Training Providers and
Employment Services/Employers
•Arrange meetings for young people and parents
with relevant professionals e.g. Course Tutors,
Learning Support Staff, Disability Advisers.
Year 2 – Tracking Year
Maintain regular contact with:
•Young person
•Parents/Carers
•College/Training Organisation/Employers
To monitor their progress and address any
issues/concerns that may arise.
Cedar’s Transitions Model
ensures;
• An inter-agency co-ordinated approach to transitional planning
• A person centered approach to Transitions
• Liaising & planning with young people re: options after leaving
school
• Parental involvement and participation in the transitions process
• Partnership working with schools to help identify young person's
further options and support needs
• Networking with relevant professionals and develop a multi-agency
approach to transitions
• Ensuring young persons support needs are addressed within their
chosen provision
• Young people have opportunity of choice on leaving school
Transitions – Impact 08/09
• 220 young people accessed the service
• 90% positive outcomes
–
–
–
–
–
37% Training for Success
35% Further Education
14% Higher Education
4% Employment
10% Other
• 90% sustained positive outcomes at 6 and 9
months
Transitions – Key Challenges
•The support that young disabled people receive is
variable, equal opportunity to employment and
education
•Insufficient life skills training such as travel
training/money management for young
adolescents
•A lack of suitable and continuous provision for
young people on transfer from school
•Inappropriate and inflexible day care placement
Transitions – Key Challenges
•Educational Support
–
Preparation for exams
•Planning for future provision
–
–
Learning Support
Physical environment
The Way Forward…
8 years on we have a well established regional
service
•Equitable services
•Holistic approach
•Community Inclusion
Contact Us
Belfast
(028) 9038 7040
[email protected]
Derry, Co Londonderry
(028) 7136 0136
[email protected]
Dromore, Co Tyrone
(028) 8289 7772
[email protected]
Armagh
(028) 3752 6221
[email protected]
Thank – You!
www.cedar-foundation.org