Employability skills for independent living

Matthew Jones outlines how aspecialist college supports learners with SEND to build employability skills to help supportindependent living.

Nationally,statistics show that five per centof learnerswith the highest need,including those with an EHCP,are in paid employment, and23 per centofworkingadults with alearning disabilityhavea paid job (Mencap’s 2019 Big Learning Disability Survey). Grow 19 wasset up forlearners aged18-25, with aviewtoimproving thosestatistics and aiming toget learners with an EHCP intoemploymentby providingthemwiththe opportunity of targetedvocationallearning. This was basedonhelping young people to understand workplace expectations by creating realistic work environmenttoprovide relevant andrealistic experiences forlearners Mixing functional skills with vocational learning, employabilityand community projects enables learnerstodevelop their confidence, skills, and belief that they can enter the workforce, make informed choices, and actively participateintheircommunities.

The core valuesofresponsibility, empowerment, community, independence,personalised learning andexperienceare embedded within the curriculum, daily routines andpractices withinthe college.

Howitworks

Learners are taught in three different pathways, with practical learning incorporated. Progress is recorded in portfolios to supportthem in future; arange of therapies is offered to supportindividual need in line with their EHCP provision, with interventions varying depending on each specific learner,and detail is provided in their timetable and provision plans. Learners attend Grow 19 for up to four days and are encouraged to use local sport and communityfacilities, along with work experience, to further improve their independence and wellbeing on the day they are not in college.

Eachpathway is tailored to each learner andtheir interests and skills. Thefirst pathwayisaimedatlearners working at executive level two (EL2) and above,focusing on developingtheir readiness to work.Vocational qualifications andspecific training workshops enable learners to gain thework-related qualifications to support their study and entryinto theworkplace. Learnerscan experience theindustry (horticulture, catering and hospitalityor construction and maintenance) thatthey would like to work in, butstill be able to tryotherareas if theyare undecided

The second pathway is for learners working at entrylevel one and above who require more structure and supportwith tasks, focusing on developing independent living and learning skills. Vocational qualifications and specific training enable learners to gain the living, communication and travel awareness skills to supporttheminto supportedliving and employment. Learners will be able to participate and learnskills for working life within horticulture, hospitality and general construction. The third pathway is for learners working at pre/entry level who are learning key skills and preparing for transition to supported living and community engagement. This pathway focuses on developing social communication skills, life skills and maintaining and developing personal health and wellbeing. Learners actively learnand participate in communityprojects,developing the confidence and skills tomaketheirown decisions andplan their next steps. Learnersparticipate andlearn skills for workinglife across arange of subjects. Learning within Grow 19 is purposeful and linked to the local job market. Learners who have chosen hospitalitywill study this at level one as their main vocation, running acafé located at the site each Wednesday The café is open to the public and all food served is homemade by the learners. They follow visual instruction recipes to create atermly special along with jacket potatoes, toasties and cakes while working in an established kitchen. All the learners are level two food hygiene accredited and the kitchen has recently been given afive star hygiene rating. Learners have taken abarista course, enabling them to serve avariety of barista-standard coffees to customers. Learners follow the entire hospitalityprocess, from setting up the café and creating the food to taking card and cash payments using afunctioning till. Learners work with mentors to develop money skills, learning how to serve customers and be customer facing within their role.

Learnerswithin the horticulture vocational pathway,again at levelone, areresponsible for theirown allotment plot. Learners developskillsinrecognising plant varieties, pruning andwhat is needed to ensuremaximum growthofplants and vegetables.Foodthat is growninthe allotmentistheneither sold, linking to employability, or usedinthe cafétohelp develop asense of local community

Learners within the construction pathway acquire avariety of skillsand practices that arefound within the construction industry, while also improvingtheir fine andgross motor skills. Learnersproduce an arrayofcarpentryjointsand learn basicplumbing, painting, brick laying andbuildingskills. Duringcertain times of theyear, learners sellthe products that they have made to the public

WHAT IS THEIMPACT?

With our visionofgettinglearners into work, work experienceplays apivotal role within thecollege. Learners gain theskills and trainingthey need to give them afinal boost into employment or volunteering.All learners have aweekly work experience placement,relevanttotheirprogramme of study and accreditation. The work experience day is designed around the real work patterns and shifts that learners go on to work in when they leaveus. Learners within thelocal council partnership begin at 6amtoreflect this. Placements arelong-term, usually between three and six months in onesetting. Where possible,weencourage learners to travel to their placementindependently and, once settled, interact autonomously with theiremployerorcolleagues. Thishelps to ensure that they areascomfortable as possible in aworking environment

Last yearatGrow19wehad three learnersleave us for full time employment witha host of local employers. Hereiswhat they hadtosay.

‘I started doing a hospitality course at level one They helped me overcome my anxiety and helped me become more confident They taught me to bake and cook many different things If it wasn’t for this, I wouldn’t be where I am today working full-time in a kitchen at Toby Carvery being a waitress It taught me how to work in a reallife workplace and they treated me like an adult In my new job I have made so many memories and new friends I couldn’t be happier than I am now, and I now earn a living ” Chantelle

‘This helpedme to get a jobfrom my workexperience placement at Maidstone BoroughCouncil. They taught me to have a goodwork ethic andgave me more confidence I learnt to use lots ofequipment during my construction andhorticulture sessions Tutors supportedme with applications andpaperworkto apply for the job I’m pleasedand proudofmyselfandreceive lots of compliments from the public and community while I’m doing my barrow round I’m now able to help support my family andbuy the items I like ” Luke

‘The course helped me with interview skills andpreparing my CV I learnt lots of new skills in horticulture and construction All that I learnt helped me get a job at Lenham storage for three days and one day volunteering at food share in Ashford ” Ryan