- Keeping up with changes
- Choices in Year 9
- Years 10 & 11
- Higher Education
& other options - Skills for life
Help with challenges
- The range of subjects
- Commonly offered GCSE subjects
- How you can help
- Questions to consider
- Who else can help?
- Help for young people with additional needs
Help for young people with additional needs
Parents and carers of teenagers with special needs or disabilities can get additional help and support from their Connexions personal adviser and the school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator.
Transition plans
Young people with statements of special educational needs must have their transition through the rest of their school time and on to adult life set out in a plan.
In Year 9 your teenager and you will be invited to a review meeting where you will have the chance to say what you would like included in the transition plan, and to discuss this with teachers and the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. Your teenager's Connexions personal adviser will also help with the plan and provide ongoing support to put it into action. This support from Connexions continues until your teenager reaches the age of 25.
A network of support
When your teenager has specific, additional needs or a disability, there are so many things to think about, such as finding the best health care or therapy, supporting them at school and investigating the services and opportunities available.
There are networks of support and resources available, including your local Parent Partnership Service, to help you meet these challenges.
The following table shows organisations that can help you.
| Who | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Contact a Family | Offers support and advice and can put you in touch with families in similar circumstances. | 0808 808 3555 Text phone: 0808 808 3556 www.cafamily.org.uk |
| Directgov: public service information | Information about the rights of people with disabilities, their education and available benefits. | Disability Rights Commission: 08457 622633 Text phone: 08457 622 644 Benefit Enquiry Line: 0800 882200 Text phone: 0800 243355 www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople |
| National Parent Partnership Network (NPPN) | Provides information, advice and support for parents of young people with special needs. Can provide contact details for your local service and put you in touch with other useful organisations. | www.parentpartnership.org.uk Ask your Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator for details. |
| Shaw Trust | Help for young people with disabilities seeking jobs and training. | 01225 716300 www.shaw-trust.org.uk |
| Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities | Provides information about education, training and work for students with disabilities. | 0800 328 5050 Text phone: 0800 068 2422 www.skill.org.uk |
| Teachernet | A website which includes information for parents and carers of young people with special educational needs. | www.teachernet.gov.uk |
| Transition Information Network | A network of organisations and individuals providing information and support for disabled young people, their parents and carers. | 020 7843 6006 www.after16.org.uk |
ParentsCentre
An online 'one-stop-shop' of information and support for parents and carers on how to help with all aspects of your teenager's learning, including issues relating to choices in Year 9, and links to other websites.
Take a look at the website at www.parentscentre.gov.uk.
