Parents & Carers :

Extra support

As the parent/carer of a young person with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD), there is a range of help and support available to you.

Connexions

Connexions places particular importance on its work with young people with special educational needs and tries to ensure that individual needs are met. We work with young people who are placed in local special and mainstream schools as well as specialist schools and colleges outside the area.

The role of the Connexions Personal Adviser:

To help and support young people aged 13–25 who have special educational needs, e.g. one-to-one interviews, group sessions, home visits and attendance at review meetings. Flexible arrangements will be made according to each young person’s needs and wishes.
To provide guidance for young people with special needs throughout the Transition Process and Review.
To ensure that all plans incorporate the views of the young person and their family from year 9 through to the final school review, to help the young person move on effectively.
To LISTEN always to what young people are saying. The service is confidential, giving young people the chance to meet or talk to someone they can trust when they most need to.
To offer practical help to write a CV, find voluntary work, employment or work-based learning.
To advise young people and their families on the full range of services and opportunities available to them, including further education, training and employment.
To work alongside other agencies and organisations such as social services and supported employment agencies.
To help young people who may be changing the services they use, related to their healthcare, educational or other needs. This may be particularly useful during the transition between child and adult health and social services.
To support and advocate for young people, by representing their views and wishes. If a Personal Adviser is unable to help with a very specific problem, they can refer a young person to an appropriate organisation for further help and continue to offer their support in other ways