1. Preparing for Adulthood
SEND Conference, November 2016
Alan Carrick, SEND Commissioner, Northumberland County Council

2. The SEND Code of Practice 2015
The Code makes no mention of specific qualifications or academic performance at specific levels at specific ages. The main measure of a successful SEND plan is not outcomes of national tests.
Instead it describes ‘Preparing for adulthood from the earliest years’ as being the ultimate purpose of SEND education and training.
Preparing for adulthood means preparing for:
• higher education and/or employment – this includes exploring different employment options, such as support for becoming self-employed and help from supported employment agencies
• independent living – this means young people having choice, control and freedom over their lives and the support they have, their accommodation and living arrangements, including supported living
• participating in society, including having friends and supportive relationships, and participating in, and contributing to, the local community
• being as healthy as possible in adult life
The majority of SEND learners have lower levels of need and will follow mainstream pathways into adulthood.
However, for those with higher levels of need it is more challenging….

3. The challenge
‘Oversight of special education for young people aged 16-25’:
supporting one person with a learning disability into employment could increase that person’s income by between 55 and 95 per cent.
National Audit Office:
equipping a young person with the skills to live in semi-independent rather than fully supported housing could, in addition to quality of life improvements, reduce lifetime support costs to the public purse by around £1 million
Only 6% of adults with learning disabilities in employment. National aim to get 1.2 million more into employment. “the government must accept some people may not be able to work” – Multiple Sclerosis Society "We know the right type of work is good for our physical and mental health, but we need a more pragmatic health and welfare system that reflects this - one that offers work for all those who can, help for those who could and care for those who can't” - Work and Pensions Secretary "All disabled people should be able to access expert, tailored employment support and the Government should work with employers to create flexible, modern workplaces“ - Scope

4. This week The Government has also announced:
A new Work and Health Programme to replace the current generalist Work Programme and specialist disability Work Choice programmes
A real terms increase in spending on the Access to Work Programme, which provides practical support for disabled people, beyond the "reasonable adjustments" required to be made by employers
A White Paper to be published this year which will "set out reforms to improve support for people with health conditions and disabilities, including exploring the roles of employers, to further reduce the disability employment gap and promote integration across health and employment."

5. Government schemes to improve employment levels, 2015-2016
What types of programmes will best help a young person become employable at 18 years of age:
Traineeship?
Apprenticeship?
Supported Internship?
Vocational studies?
Extended work experience?
Life skills?
Independent travel training?
6th form academic?
FE College?
These are our priorities from age 14.
Schools have to arrange suitable careers guidance on these options

6. Advice for SENCOs
Before 14 years of age: We support children to achieve their potential as fully as possible within a school context From 14 years of age: As above, plus each SEND review must look specifically at how the young person will achieve employability and independence by 18 years of age. Young person’s voice. Record the young person’s developing aspirations for employment and / or independence. Your school must ensure the young person has good careers guidance to help them make progress towards realistic adulthood aspirations. Make sure learners and families are aware of support from other services that are there to help. Now we will hear how the Careers guidance Team and Northumberland Adult Learning Service can support us.

7. Careers Information Advice and Guidance
Janice Gerard and Lindsey Taggart
Careers Guidance Team
Key documents - SEND code of practice (statutory guidance January 2015)
Careers Guidance and inspiration for young people in schools (statutory guidance March 2015)
Careers Guidance: advice for schools (non-statutory supporting document)

8. Key Documents
Just a reminder to everyone of the headline duty for all schools
Independent is defined as external to the school.
Impartial is defined as showing no bias or favouritism towards a particular education or work option.

9. Key Documents
We’re aware that currently there is still a significant variation in the careers offer at each school and many schools do not provide access to a suitably qualified careers professional. Ofsted will take account of the quality of independent careers guidance and of students’ destinations in making their judgement on the leadership and management of the school.
The statutory guidance requires all schools to have a strategy for the careers guidance they provide to young people. The strategy should be embedded within a clear framework linked to outcomes for pupils. The supporting document gives examples of high quality careers guidance. Locally, the Gatsby Foundation Careers benchmark project (which involves 3 N’land high schools) has been instrumental in informing the soon-to-be-published new statutory guidance and is expected to place additional emphasis on high quality careers IAG, work experience and access to employers.
So whilst the statutory duty to deliver CIAG is the responsibility of the school, the local authority’s duty to enable assist and encourage participation under the RPA policy means that we will help to support schools with certain more vulnerable groups.

10. How the Careers Guidance team can help you
Informal advice support and signposting (for staff)
Request for Support (pupils at risk of becoming NEET)
Group work (Year 9)
Flexible Service Level Agreement to provide careers guidance for all your pupils

11. Contact us Janice.gerard@northumberland.gov.uk 01670 622793

12. Learning and Skills Service Young People and SEND

13. 3x15

14. 45!

15. 7x15

16. 105!

19. Job Related Study Programmes
You need all different types of skills and experience to deliver in employment.
Diversity seeks to treat individuals fairly and with dignity and respect.
Include everyone and recognise the differences between people
Celebrate differences

20. Where does it all start?

21. Young People’s Coach

22. What’s on offer?

24. Construction Study Programme
Level 1 Award in Construction
Functional Skills English and maths
Employability Course
Health and Safety Award

25. Study Programmes Arts and Design Fashion and textiles
Media, Film and Photography
Window Dressing and Retail
Business and Accountancy
Customer Service
Technology and Digital Skills

26. Study Programmes Beauty Therapy Hospitality and Catering
Cycle mechanics
Motor mechanics
General construction and maintenance
Bricklaying
Joinery

27. Study Programmes Painting and Decorating Wind Energy and Engineering
Adult Social Care
Child care
Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

28. Apprenticeships
You need all different types of skills and experience to deliver in employment.
Diversity seeks to treat individuals fairly and with dignity and respect.
Include everyone and recognise the differences between people
Celebrate differences

29. Traineeships
You need all different types of skills and experience to deliver in employment.
Diversity seeks to treat individuals fairly and with dignity and respect.
Include everyone and recognise the differences between people
Celebrate differences

30. Supported Internships
You need all different types of skills and experience to deliver in employment.
Diversity seeks to treat individuals fairly and with dignity and respect.
Include everyone and recognise the differences between people
Celebrate differences

32. Young People and SEND Learning and Skills Service - Adult Learning