Doucecroft school has a strong ethos on the preparation for adult life and ensuring that our pupils have the very best opportunities to lead fulfilled adult lives.  

The link below is a presentation for parents explaining the process for Preparing for Adulthood.  

Moving into Adulthood Information for Parents

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Careers - Lindsay Hansford, Careers Leader 

Since we returned to school after the Easter break, we have started to see green shoots appearing – and I don’t just mean in nature! We have seen a gradual easing of lockdown restrictions which has enabled our pupils to start exploring the world outside school or having visitors into school, to demonstrate and talk about what they do. For example

• During the Easter break, two of our leavers had the opportunity to visit their intended college at last. They have been invited back for a transition day during the May half term holiday.
• Some of our Transition Hub students have been able to return to Butterfly Lodge, to resume their Wellies On programme ( see photos). There are lots of new, hungry mouths to feed on the farm, which have kept our pupils busy.

• We have had the Lost in Translation Theatre group in school who delivered workshops to pupils as well as performing a play. The workshops were also an opportunity for pupils to find out more about the career journeys of the performers and the skills that they use in their work.

I also want to say a big “thank you” to all those parents and carers who responded so positively to my email request for help. Some have volunteered their services to help with mock interviews while others have provided contacts to organisations who can help our pupils have more encounters with employers.

 I am in the process of setting up some exciting interactions with employers eg an interactive presentation from Transport for London about their Steps into Work programme and staff from Sizewell B coming into school during Science week to run sessions with our pupils. These encounters really bring learning to life and help our pupils increase their awareness of the opportunities open to them.

My contact details are [email protected] or you could contact the Link Governor for Careers, Barbara Greer on [email protected]

A guide to our careers programme is available here for students

A guide to our careers programme is available here for parents

2021/2022 Academic Year Programme

Positive Career Outcomes For SEND Students

Responses To Our Consultation With Parents On Our Careers Programme

Responses To Our Consultation With Employers On Our Careers Programme

Our Provider Access Policy can be viewed here

The websites listed below can assist you to explore possibilities for the future with your son/daughter.

Information for all students, parents and carers

National Careers Service website, free to use	https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Apprenticeship website	https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
Apprenticeship Parents Newsletters - See Post 16 Options for students with SEND sections	July 2021 April 2021 December 2020 November 2020
Government website explaining when students can leave school	https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school
Government website which helps students to find traineeships. These, in turn can lead onto an apprenticeship	https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship
Useful website explaining how to find an apprenticeship	https://amazingapprenticeships.com/app/uploads/2020/03/Find-an-apprenticeship_LAH.pdf
Tips on finding a good apprenticeship	https://amazingapprenticeships.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Parent-Pack-June-Pg7-Good-Apprenticeship.pdf
Good explanation of how apprenticeships are structured	https://amazingapprenticeships.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Parent-Pack-June-Pg6-off-the-job-training.pdf
How to get additional help to access work if you have a disability of any kind	https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
This lists all organisations that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme	https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disability-confident-employers-that-have-signed-up
Information about financial support for students and their families	https://workingfamilies.org.uk/publications/from-child-to-adult/
Information about financial assistance for students in education	www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
Young people focused site with career information on jobs within the NHS	www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk
Free online library of careers related film, news and information	https://www.careersbox.co.uk/
Information about university courses	www.ucas.com
Post 16 Child Benefit Information	www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19
DOSH Financial Advocacy	https://www.dosh.org/

 

Information for Essex students, parents and carers

The local offer from Essex: this is your starting point	http://www.essexlocaloffer.org.uk/
Essex Opportunities Portal	www.essexopportunities.co.uk
A parents guide to services in North East Essex	Click Here To View
Adult Community Learning, supported learning	http://www.aclessex.com/
Colchester Institute	https://www.colchester.ac.uk/
Chelmsford College	https://www.chelmsford.ac.uk/
Seevic College	www.uspcollege.ac.uk
Thriftwood College	www.thriftwoodschool.com
Writtle University College	https://writtle.ac.uk/
To find out about opportunities to do voluntary work	http://www.volunteeressex.org/
Independent parent carer forum for the whole of Essex	https://essexfamilyforum.org/about/meet-the-team/
Specific support aimed at people with autism, from Essex County Council	https://www.essex.gov.uk/autism/Support-for-people-with-autism
Local groups in Essex for people with autism	https://www.essex.gov.uk/autism/local-groups-for-people-with-autism
Designed to give you an understanding of your personality and the career areas that you would be best suited to.	https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/Develop/CareersQuiz.aspx
Labour market information for Essex	Click Here
Careers guide for young people	https://www.whatsyourthing.org.uk/

Information for Suffolk students, parents and carers 

The Local Offer for Suffolk: this is your starting point	Click Here
Suffolk Parent And Carer Network	https://spcn.org.uk/
Suffolk New College ( this now includes what used to be Otley College)	https://www.suffolk.ac.uk/
West Suffolk College	https://www.wsc.ac.uk/
A quiz to generate a few ideas	https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/Develop/CareersQuiz.aspx
Find a job or career in Suffolk based on your specific interests	https://www.icanbea.org.uk/
Suffolk County Council’s Post 16 travel policy	https://www.suffolkonboard.com/content/downloadstream/8564/34176/Post-16+Travel+Policy+2019-2020.pdf
Organisations offering volunteering opportunities within Suffolk	www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk     https://volunteersuffolk.org.uk/
Labour market information for Suffolk	Click Here