the policy perspective Post-16 choices: the policy perspective Disability Rights UK Thursday 19 October Helen Brooks, DfE

Careers advice – why does it matter? Good careers advice makes all the difference - especially for young people with SEND Transition into post-16 education, and into employment can be especially challenging for young people with SEND. Wider landscape post-16, but not always enough choice, or enough ambition

A pathway through to employment Young people with SEND will have a wide variety of needs …and a wide variety of abilities and strengths The vast majority are capable of paid work with the right preparation and support They want a personalised route map to work

What is the reality? A mixed picture, with some good practice, but careers advice for SEND learners is patchy Ofsted’s “Moving Forward” report : “the provision of specialist impartial careers guidance to learners with high needs was generally weak” Low employment rate: Only 5.8% of adults known to social services with moderate to severe learning difficulties are in paid employment.

Careers advice for young people with SEND should be… Inspirational and aspirational Imaginative Impartial Also personal budgets, mediation and duties for young offenders Well Informed Individualised

A reforming SEND system Schools and FE and part of a coherent SEND framework, with EHC plans following a young person through the system Preparing for adulthood is a major theme of the reforms, with EHC reviews from Yr 9 onwards including a focus on preparing for adult life Every local authority must publish a local offer…..

The local offer Must set include: Special educational provision for children and young people with SEND Post-16 education and training provision Support to prepare for adulthood It must also include: Pathways to employment such as apprenticeships, traineeships and supported internships Support available from supported employment services Information about preparing for and finding employment It should include: Support available from employment agencies Support available from Year 8 to help children and young people plan their careers Financial support available, including support for people with learning difficulties and disabilities looking for work or once they are employed

SEND reforms enacted in September 2014 through the Children and Families Act. They are intended to join up support across education, health and care, from birth to 25. Help will be offered at the earliest point. Children and young people and parents/carers will be fully involved in decisions about their support and what the young person wants to achieve. The reforms are intended to deliver: A positive experience of the system for children, young people and families Improved outcomes for children and young people Effective preparation for adulthood New focus on PfA in the SEND reforms – no more falling off the conveyor belt or assumption of lifetime on benefits / social care. One of the more challenging aspects of the reforms - big culture change for everyone, from parents and young people, through to local authorities and education providers - FE colleges have now been brought into the legislative framework. Ultimately, parents, children and young people with SEN and disabilities want what we ALL want: preparation for employment, independent living, community participation and best possible health. Employment is one of the four preparation for adulthood outcomes – today’s focus.

What the SEND Code of Practice says….. TRANSITION INTO POST-16 “Schools and colleges should work in partnership to provide opportunities such as taster courses link programmes and mentoring which enable young people with SEND to familiarise themselves with the college environment and gain some experience of college life and study”. PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT “Colleges that offer courses which are designed to provide pathways to employment should have a clear focus on preparing students with SEN for work….One of the most effective ways to prepare young people with SEN for employment is to arrange work-based learning” HIGH QUALITY STUDY PROGRAMMES “All students aged 16 to 19…should follow a coherent study programme which provides stretch and progression and enables them to achieve the best possible outcomes in adult life”. CAREERS ADVICE “Schools and colleges should raise the career aspirations for their SEN students and broaden their employment horizons”.

Consultation on technical reforms expected later this year What now? DfE careers strategy expected later this year; start of the process, not the end Consultation on technical reforms expected later this year Look out for two on-line cpd for professionals coming out in a few months: A better understanding of pathways to employment and supported employment options, so careers advisers are better informed Training in how to work with young people with SEND, helping them engage in their own career decision making

A range of options….. Apprenticeships Traineeships Supported internships Wide range of study programmes, both academic and vocational On their way…..technical education reforms

Inspirational and ambitious? Imaginative? What’s your experience of the transition to post-16? Are pathways to employment visible? What would help? Inspirational and ambitious? Imaginative? Impartial? Also personal budgets, mediation and duties for young offenders Well Informed? Individualised?

Thank you Helen.Brooks@education.gov.uk