Help with my son soon to leaving education

Craigw142

Hi All,
I live in the North east and my son will be leaving education at the age of 18 this coming July. I am looking for any guidance or agencies that can assist in finding employment or the like for post education. He is not very academic and therefore further college is not something that he wants to do. Can anyone advise of option to go to for assistance? Thanks in advance.

Alex_Alumni

Hello there @Craigw142 and thanks for your query, I've just popped it into our Work and Employment category, so that everyone can more easily share their thoughts. 

Scope does have Employment Support Services, who may be able to offer your son some advice and support, and though some schemes require you to be based in certain locations, I'd definitely encourage you to have a look. 

Has he mentioned anything he might be keen on, in terms of work, or does he have any hobbies or passions to work from?  

Craigw142

Hi Alex, he is more into practical manual activities. He loves anything to do with cars. However he just likes to please others. He has done work experience in the school that he used to attend and worked with the teachers assistant and loved it. He has communication challenges and also fine motor issues however can use his hands fully but the fine motor movements can be a challenge. Hope this helps and also any support is appreciated. Cheers

Luna51

Hi @Craigw142

Great advice from @Alex_Scope

Also, does your son have an EHCP?
If your son does, during his last annual review you should be signposted to what options will be available when he leaves education. 
If he does not have an EHCP, I would expect the school to also advise you both with possible next steps. 

anisty

Hiya, I am in Scotland so not the best person to comment, perhaps. Have you looked into apprenticeships, though? Perhaps the school can help.

My son is autistic and his first job after leaving education was a supported apprenticeship. In his case it didn't actually work out or lead to employment but i think it could be something worth looking into.

In scotland we have hubs and services that provide getting ready for work courses and im sure the same will be available in England.  All the best to you and your son🙂

Craigw142

Hi All, my sine does have an EHCP however there was a representative from Durham works that is an organisation that stated they would come in and speak to a few of the kids and assess what they wanted to do and come back with options, however they have now advised they will not engage until my son is fully left. The college is now trying to loom for options but seems to be very college focused that is not something that we all agree with would not be the best thing for Arran. Seemed to have gone back a number of steps and lost a few months. I will lion at the supported apprentice option… seems to be linked info. Thanks all. 

L_Volunteer

It is always frustrating when people try to push you down a particular route @Craigw142. Not least when it is a root your son doesn't want to go down.

I can hear that your son would particularly like hands-on and practical work. Some options, as you rightly identified, include:

• Apprenticeships - Some useful resources are the Government's website  and the Apprenticeships website. Sometimes, you can also find apprenticeships through educational settings.
• Supported Apprenticeships - A useful resource is the Government's website.
• Traineeships - Similar to above, some useful resources include the Government's website and City and Guilds. You can also access traineeships through some educational settings. 
• Internships - Some useful resources include Indeed, Totaljobs, Prospects and the Government's website. 
• Supported Internships - Some useful resources include the Government's website, the National Careers Service and Ucas.  
• Employment (part-time or full-time and in-person, home-based or field-based) - Some useful resources include Indeed, Reed, Totaljobs and the Government's website.
• Support in employment - 'reasonable adjustments' and Access to Work.

I hope this is at least semi-helpful. Please don't hesitate if you would like to discuss any of this further or need any further support with it 

janer1967

The job centre should be able to help and also run courses for getting into work 

durhamjaide2001

Hi where abouts in the North East do you live? There are numerous amounts of agencies that I can recommend. For example Durham works, the North East Autism Society , Groundworks and Project Choice which is a supported interniship funded by the NHS.

Craigw142

Hi, his mam lives in co. Durham and I live at teeside so locations are open, we had Durham works involved in November and they advised that they would meet arran talk through what he would like etc and now we are told they will not engage until he completely leaves education, feel a little let down as we have lost 3 months. All recommendations and options would be welcome. 

Luna51

Not sure if you already know of this service? 
https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/3722/About-the-Local-Offer-in-County-Durham

rebel11

I would encourage him to build up his CV, maybe do some volunteer work (a few hours a week), it's something tangible that he can put on his CV, a future employer looks at that, it's gets the ball rolling career wise etc.