Life skills and non-workplace support
Life- Skills ; - We take a holistic approach to employment. Young people need to have a range of abilities including the confidence to sustain independence.
Alongside our employment training we can also provide life-skills support. All aspects of daily life can be supported from planning an appropriate diet, to shopping, cooking and domestic maintenance. Students will be taught about citizenship, legal rights and to manage their own finances, setting up bank accounts, bill paying, applying for and managing benefits.
Social Support
We can support the young person to engage in community-based activities and social interaction. All of these skills are aspects of ‘preparation for adulthood’ which must be detailed in section F of the EHCP (if applicable) for those of year 9 and above. Working with parents can be a significant factor in making a supported internship successful – they may become a vital part of the team around the young person. Help can be provided to fill out an initial inventory of life-skills, this can be used as evidence for the EHCP if supported by Occupational Therapy or Social Care reports and advises on all aspects of independent living.
Health Support
The young person may have health issues and/or conditions which require mental or physical health checks and management of medication. Our support workers are well trained and experienced in managing medications and will support the young person to manage this independently where this is appropriate. General health management is an integral part of independence training - working with local dentists, G.P’s and chemists will be included as well as advice and support on sexual health.
Travel Training
Travel training will be an important part of the package, with an
allowance for costs built into the EHCP or provided by arrangement with
the placement. All activities are an opportunity to plan and manage
transport independently. This may also involve support to have driving
lessons as part of a career qualification.
Support Staff
There is close liaison between the team leader, job-coach, therapists and the daily living / support workers for each young person, who will be involved in the planning and delivery of the non-workplace learning. Additional academic or vocational studies can be supported with tutors, local colleges and study centers, the provision of 1-1 assistance if required, transport and advice on approaches to learning from the whole team to promote relevant qualifications and further opportunities to succeed in the chosen career path as well as improving social and community interaction.
Decision Making
Young people are supported to make their own decisions. The right of young people to make a decision is subject to their capacity to do so as set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The underlying principle of the Act is to ensure that those who lack capacity are empowered to make as many decisions for themselves as possible and that any decision made or action taken on their behalf is done so in their best interests. Decisions about mental capacity are made on a case by case basis and may vary according to the nature of the decision.
