Leaving School
It is about planning for a balanced, enjoyable and rewarding adult life, including making time for recreation and fun and learning how to develop and keep relationships. This is commonly called transition planning.
Transition planning works best where a team of supporters gets involved. The team can include the young person, their family, friends, school staff, adult service providers and any other community support staff.
The team should work together to develop a transition plan that meets the student’s needs and wishes, in a range of areas that may include:
- employment or vocational options
- income and financial arrangements
- living arrangements
- cultural and religious supports
- further education options
- recreation and leisure options
- advocacy arrangements
- friendships, sexuality and relationships
- transport and community access
- disability support services
Transition Planning
Transition planning for young people with disabilities should begin around age 14 and become more specific and focused as the young person moves towards leaving school.
Transition services funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) are available for all Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS) funded students who are in their last year of school.
Funding is for up to 12 months.
ORS funding ends when a young person leaves school. For some young people with very high needs additional support may be required to enable them to attend a MSD funded service during the week. Contact the National Contracts team at MSD 04 916 330 to find out what is available in your area. The transition service, the Needs Assessment and Service Coordination (NASC) organisation and the service provider should work together to ensure all the necessary supports are available.
Supporting a young person to leave school
Young people with disabilities preparing to leave school should have access to all the programmes and supports available to all secondary students.
Documents you might need
Things you might be interested in
Volunteering
Play a big part in the life of a person with an intellectual disability and the work IHC does by joining our One-to-One Friendship or Skills-based Volunteer Programmes.
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