Road Map for Life 2015

1. Thinking differently
about the future
Helen McNulty
Head of Additional Needs

2. What we are going to do today;
• Introduce and discuss moving into
adulthood
• Think about the future for your child/pupil
and your family
• Discuss and plan what next steps you are
going to take to plan for the future

3. The Children & Families Act 2014 includes the
important opportunity of education up to 24.
 We all recognise that opportunities for YP with
learning disabilities have been in short supply, so
the education option can at first sight appear to fill
an important gap – and for some students it really
does.
 It’s also the aim of The Children’s Act to create new
‘personalised’ opportunities for young people, so
it’s not a matter of ‘slotting’ the young person into
the first opportunity we can find.

4.  For every YP that wants to continue their education,
there’s probably another YP that is longing never, ever
to be in a classroom again.
 For that YP their idea of hell/boredom is to continue in
Education! They want a job, to do something that
interests them, to be someone – not stuck in class on
sunny day.

5.  So we must focus on what the young person
wants, and be clear about the purpose of their
education.
 Will the proposed education really take them
closer to get a job, or learning a skill that they
really want?
 Education is great if you enjoy what you are
learning and you have real use for your studies.
 Education is boring if it means you are shut
away (institutionalised) trying to learn about
something that doesn’t interest you.

6. London is a world class city and there
must be something out there that interest
you?
Jobs, internships, volunteering, Parks,
museums, short courses, sports, fitness,
leisure, bargains – there’s something out
there the young person will enjoy.

7. How do we usually make decisions
about further education?
Why do YP choose to stay at school, go to
college or leave education?
Why do parents want their children to stay or
leave education?
Why do teachers want their pupils to go on to
another education provision?

13. What information do you need to know
to plan for post 16 for your child/pupil?
Benefits, Housing, Voluntary Agencies – what do other
YP have?
Is this on your local offer?
Do you know (or about) adult services enough?