Presfield’s School Priorities 2020 – 2022
Encourage and equip families with knowledge and skills necessary to support their young people through the different stages of their school career, including the transition into adulthood…..
It can be a very worrying time for parents and carers as their child moves from Presfield High School to College or other provider.
Services change from children services to new adult services and the young person is expected to take on decision – making responsibilities for themselves.
Transition is a gradual process of supporting a young person and their family through their teenage years and into adulthood, building up their confidence and ability to manage the care and support they need.
There are many decisions for a young person and their families to take regarding the future.
Here is some information to support you on your journey.
Any questions or worries about anything please contact school.
What is the Local Offer?
The Local Offer provides clear and accessible information about the provision Sefton Council expects to be available locally for our children and young people from 0 to 25 who have special educational needs and/or disability (SEND). The Local Offer helps you to understand what services you can expect from a range of local agencies, including your statutory entitlements, eligibility and referral criteria. The Local Offer also makes clear what is available from early year’s settings, schools (including Academies and Free Schools), colleges and other services including those from health and social care.
As part of the Children and Families Act, Local Authorities have been directed to produce a Local Offer. Sefton Council, health services and all our partners in the voluntary and private sectors are committed to working together to support the needs of children and young people with SEND and their families. We have worked closely with parents, carers and young people, as well as with colleagues in the services in Sefton to produce our Local Offer, and will continue to do so.
Sefton Transition Co-ordinators
Sefton has two transitions co-ordinators who work with young disabled people from the age of 14- 25 years old. The co-ordinators are employed by adult social care to facilitate the smooth transition of young people with care and support needs from Children’s Services to Adult Services. The co-ordinators provide support, advice and guidance to young people and their families/carers throughout all parts of the process of transitioning to the adult world. The co-ordinators will provide a person-centred approach when working with young people to create a transition that is clear to all involved and represents the views, opinions and choices of the individual.
The co-ordinators attend EHCP reviews and planning meetings for young people in Special Schools and Colleges from year 9 onwards, and ensure that Adult Services are aware of any young people who may require a Care Act assessment (including those who are not currently open to Children’s Services). The co-ordinators predominantly work with those young people who will require specialist care services into adulthood. Young People with EHCPs in mainstream schools, and more able students in specialist provision, will mainly be supported through transition by schools/colleges, SEN team and Career Connect advisers. The co-ordinators are available in an advisory capacity for these young people. They will advise about potential eligibility for adult social care services (and can signpost to alternative options where appropriate). They are available to explain what is happening at each point of the transition process. They have good knowledge and working relationships with many adult agencies and can provide individuals with information about the opportunities and pathways that are available to them.
The transition co-ordinators host an annual Moving On event. This event is an opportunity for young people, parents and carers to come along and find out about future options that are available for them. Wide ranges of providers attend from Colleges and Further Education, Social Care, Health and Advisory Services.
How do I contact Sefton’s Transition Co-ordinators?
Due to agile working, the best way to contact us is via email.
Sonya Wall
Phone – 0151 934 3887
Mobile – 07966 965103
Kevin Leavitt
Kevin Leavitt is Transition Co-ordinator for Presfield High School & Specialist College.
Local Offer - Preparing for adulthood
The transition from childhood to adulthood is often a difficult time of change for many young people and especially those with a disability. There are many decisions for a young person and their families to take regarding the future. This can be a complex stage as support from agencies such as health, education and social care can change from the age of 18.
Disabled young people tell us that they want the same things in life as their non-disabled peers:
- opportunities to succeed in education and work
- to live independently and healthily
- to be active members of their communities
- have positive friends and relationships
The choices for young people with special educational needs and disabilities leaving school have a significant impact on their experience of moving into adulthood. The aim of this section is to ensure that the family begin to prepare for the young person’s transition into adulthood and that they have clear expectations about what options and services are available and are able to make informed choices about the future.
Sefton's Preparing For Adulthood Guide
This guide is for young people with SEND, who are approaching their latter school years and their parents and carers who want more information on their future options. It gives information on the preparing for the adulthood process. This is to help young people to know what to expect and what they should be considering at each stage, whom to contact for support and information. These young people will usually have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or will be on SEN support. Those on Special Educational Needs (SEN) support should continue with ‘assess, plan, do and review’ until the young person leaves education or their support needs change.