School Transition to Adult Responsibilities and Services Erasmus Project

Project Title

School Transition to Adult Responsibilities and Services

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Disabilities – special needs; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

The transition from school to adult life is a milestone that often causes significant anxiety for young people with intellectual disability and their families throughout Europe. Despite most EU countries having a transition process in place there are few practical programmes that support young adults during their final year of school to prepare for leaving. Practical programmes and initiatives to support the transition from school vary greatly across the EU and are fragmented and lack consistency. To make a successful transition from school it is essential that young people are prepared for adult life including opportunities to apply learning to practical adult situations. This includes making informed choices about post school options and the responsibilities and expectations that are associated with being a young adult in the 21st Century. Typically this work is not undertaken by school teachers as they do not have the skills, remit tor contacts with adult services to do so affectively. Research undertaken by the NI Assembly in 2015 highlighted the importance of involving non governmental agencies during transition planning and preparation and this is echoed throughout the EU. Research carried out in 2011 by the Academic Network of European Disability Experts (ANED) highlighted that across the EU the transition to post compulsory education is problematic for young disabled people and there are fewer opportunities to enter and progress into further education or employment. They attribute these challenges to education systems that fail to provide young people with disabilities with the skills required to progress beyond the school environment and teachers often lack the appropriate methodology tools to prepare them for adult life.
The project has carried out the following activities:

1. Conducted research into transition services available in partner states including national and local initiatives. The research evaluated the effectiveness of services and identified good practice and gaps to assist with the development of relevant training resources. This objective was achieved and disseminated through a multiplier event in month 9.
2. Carry out a peer review of existing training resources supporting young adults with intellectual disability. The task leader also collated surveys circulated by partners to young adults, parents/carers and educationalists to understand the main issues and themes encountered regarding preparing to leave school. Almost 200 responses were obtained and this information ensured the training resources that were developed were relevant and appropriate to the level of understanding of the target groups.
3. A suite of training resources were developed to use with young people with learning disability preparing to leave education that better equips them with the skills and knowledge they require to make a successful transition to adult life. This objective was fully achieved by the end of the project. The resources are available, free of charge, on the partner website, www.starsweb.info and contain practical information and training resources to use with young people during their final year at school. A number of themes are included in the training resources which reflect areas highlighted by young people, parents/carers and professionals working within education during focus groups and individual interviews conducted as part of intellectual output 1. The content includes:
* Post School Options: What is available in each area and how to access opportunities including Further education, training, work and other
-*Practical steps needed to prepare ie decision making skills, understanding adult responsibilities and managing money
* Independence: Persoanl presentation, traveling independently, staying safe at home & in the community and living options.
* Developing and Maintaining social networks and meaningful friendships – online safety, friendships, community inclusion.
* Healthy living including staying active, healthy eating and good mental health.

There is also a comprehensive section for parents/carers including information on the process, options and practical ways to prepare their young adult for leaving school as well as additional information frequently asked questions

The results of the project have been extensively disseminated locally, nationally and European wide through five multiplier events and within the European Union of supported Employment and World Association of Supported Employment Networks to achieve maximum impact.

Project Website

http://www.starsweb.info

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 273774,11 Eur

Project Coordinator

Orchardville Society Ltd & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Autism Spectrum Information, Advice and Meeting Point CLG
• Irish Autism Action
• Aura Foundation
• Misa AB
• Northern Ireland Union of Supported Employment