SEND & Inclusion

Empowering Futures

Our Approach to SEND Career Development

Our Careers Offer

All schools and colleges are responsible for delivering both the National Careers Strategy and it's Statutory Guidance which mandates that all learners receive high-quality career guidance from a Level 6 qualified practitioner. This guidance must be part of a stable, structured programme of study tailored to individual needs, including those with additional support requirements. To achieve this, transition planning should begin in the earliest years, preparing young people for adulthood. This planning should focus on their aspirations and include ambitious outcomes within their Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), ensuring successful transitions from childhood to adulthood. Annual Review Meetings from Year 9, as outlined in Chapter 8 of the SEND Code of Practice are crucial in preparing young people for life beyond school, through various initiatives and actively engaging circle of support to ensure positive outcomes.

This means:

Building confidence among families and carers to ensure that employment is seen as a viable and achievable option for every young person.

Strengthening the transition from education to employment by expanding accessible pathways and encouraging active community involvement.

Integrating vocational profiling as a key approach to assess motivation, confidence, and resilience, while identifying the skills and talents essential for the world of work.

Establishing a London-wide standard to create meaningful, paid employment opportunities by fostering a network of inclusive and supportive employers.

Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Employment Pathway

We are committed to making our programmes accessible to a wide range of young people with additional learning needs, focusing on building essential communication, interpersonal, and independent living skills in a safe and supportive environment. Learners receive guidance from specialist staff and connect with peers while developing confidence and practical life skills. From Year 8/9, through independent and impartial career guidance to inform the young person's EHCP and initiate the transition process from an early stage.

Our Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) Programme (with a focus on an employment pathway), offers supported work-based learning experiences that prepare young people for post-16 options. Such as supported internships, self-employment, a T-Level transition foundation year or entry-level apprenticeships.

This includes:

Tailored career advice and guidance: Which is captured using vocational profiling and opportunities to experience the world of work, inform the young person’s EHCP. Ensuring young people and their families know how to access information about a range of potential options for the future, e.g., the SEND Local Offer for information about health and social care, education and planning the next steps.

Importance of Good Career Guidance: The document emphasises that quality career guidance is crucial for all students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND,) to promote social mobility and help them achieve their potential.

Gatsby Benchmarks as a Framework: The Gatsby Benchmarks are highlighted as a strong framework for career guidance. They can be adapted for various educational settings, including special schools and mainstream schools with SEND students.

Practitioner Perspectives: The document shares insights from practitioners and experts on effectively using the Benchmarks to deliver improved career guidance for students with diverse needs and disabilities.

Tailored Guidance and High Aspirations: It addresses the necessity of customising career guidance to individual needs, maintaining high expectations, and focusing on the strengths of learners.

Collaboration and Support Networks: The document also emphasises the significance of working together with parents, external networks, and employers to offer comprehensive support and opportunities for students with SEND.

SEND Local Offer

The SEND Local Offer web page provides information about education, health and social care services and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in West London.

Find out more about your local area:

At our core, we believe that paid employment is an achievable and fulfilling goal for all young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our comprehensive approach aligns with the National Careers Strategy and Statutory Guidance, fostering an environment where students, families, and staff collectively embrace this vision. We are dedicated to opening up a wide array of career possibilities, ensuring that every young person can explore their potential.

We actively promote greater family engagement by providing accessible information sessions and interactive workshops for parents and carers, both within and outside our borough. These events clarify our "Preparing for Adulthood" (PfA) Offer, making key pathways visible and understandable. We also offer genuine and meaningful experiences with employers, adapting activities to suit individual needs, ensuring every interaction is beneficial and relevant.

Our tailored career development support is designed around each young person’s aspirations, abilities, and needs. We utilise 16-19 bursaries (and 19+ for those with an Education, Health and Care Plan - EHCP) where possible, to support their journeys. Our career advisors are skilled in providing personalised guidance, building long-term relationships with students, and using EHCPs as a supportive tool to inform career decisions. We emphasise vocational profiling and person-centred planning to promote clear pathways.Furthermore, we ensure that the supported internship programme is communicated as a viable option, encouraging young people and their families to attend dedicated career fairs to learn more. You can find additional details about our Local Offer on your local authority website.

Transition Support & Group Interventions

Our interventions enable young people to have positive transitions, develop, grow and make the most of their education, employment, or training. Transitions are a process that begins long before young people begin in their new setting. It involves saying goodbye to an old and familiar setting and being welcomed into a new one. We facilitate small groups that provide both a 'farewell' and 'welcome' to support and manage the transition process for sending and receiving settings, ensuring the emotional well-being of all involved.

What to expect and when Supporting the transition between key stages, year 6 primary school into year 7 of secondary school and from secondary school to college or into the world of work.

Year 10 (Age 14) Key Stage 4
Vocational Pathways (SEND)

Purpose-Driven Careers CIC is dedicated to supporting young people with special educational needs (SEN) as they transition from school into further education or supported employment. We work with students in both specialist and mainstream settings, providing guidance and support to ensure a smooth transition at ages 14, 16, 18, or 24.

Our key activities include:

Year 8/9: We send an introductory letter and our SEND Careers Adviser Guide for Parents/ Carers to explain our role, what happens and when. We offer one-to-one career guidance appointments with young people, parents/ carers from their support network.

Annual Reviews: We attend EHCP Annual Reviews from Year 8/9 onwards to discuss transition planning, progress and future plans.

Guidance and Support in Preparation for Adulthood: With a focus on an Employment Pathway), Post-14/ Post-16 options and create a vocational profile which is revisited and updated as the young person gains essential skills and work experience.

Moving On Plans (MOPs): We assist the young person, their circle of support and other key adults to help plan for post-school transitions. We also provide support with MOPs during the summer after transition and in the initial months of a new course.

Preparation for Work-Based Learning: Supported Work Experience Placements in small group interventions, ensuring young people receive the support they need to succeed.

Years 12+ (Post-16): For students aged 16-25, our team members attend annual reviews and, if appropriate, develop Moving On Plans (MOPs).