Proud to achieve Successful transitions from education to employment for learners on the autistic spectrum at Oaklands College Presentation by Ela Nisbet

Proud to achieve

Successful transitions from education to employmentfor learners on the autistic spectrum

at Oaklands College

Presentation by Ela Nisbet

Outreach Transition Worker at Oaklands College, Hertfordshire

Filming and technical support Sharon Stone

E-learning Developer, Oaklands CollegeSuccessful transitions from education to employment for learners on the autistic spectrum at Oaklands College

Ela Nisbet

Autism: facts – statistics - employment According to NAS:

• Over half a million people in the UK are on the autistic spectrum (around 1 in a 100)• Lifelong, disabling condition• A hidden disability – you can’t always tell• Only 15% of adults with autism in the UK are in full-time paid employment • 61% of those out of work say they want to work• Nearly 2/3rds of adults with autism in England do not have enough support to meet

their needs• At least 1 in every 3 are experiencing severe mental health difficulties due to lack

of support

What can we do to help?

Successful transitions from education to employment for learners on the autistic spectrum at Oaklands College

Ela Nisbet

The Supported Employment approach in Education

• What is Supported Employment ?

… it is a means of preparing disabled for work, finding them jobs and sustaining their long-term employment.

People who want to work are provided with support in order to do so.

Successful transitions from education to employment for learners on the autistic spectrum at Oaklands College Ela Nisbet

Transition to Employment programme The best way to learn about work is by doing a real job … • Unique, individual and personalised programme linking education

with employment • Innovative: championing the SE approach in FE (Vocational Profile;

training on the job; job coach)• Holistic, positive and realistic - looking at what person CAN DO and

supporting them to achieve • Inclusive – same approach in mainstream and discrete provisions• Flexible - fits around the learner and their chosen college course(s)• Personal, social and vocational development with a specific focus

on employment (gradual development of social skills and vocational competence in real work settings)

• Partnership working: employers, parents, Connexions, supported employment agencies and other service providers

• All work has value: paid and voluntary work options• Continuum of support


Key element: structured, supported work placements

Opportunities for young people to …• experience the real world of work • apply skills learnt at the college to a real job• learn new skills and grow confident in the workplace • develop positive relationships with work colleagues and

be accepted by them• find enjoyable and sustainable employment Enabling young people to …• live more independent and fulfilling lives • make a real contribution to the local community and

become a valued part of itOpportunities for local employers to get to know and …• recruit hard-working, skilled and committed workers Successful transitions from education to employment for learners on the autistic spectrum at Oaklands College

Ela Nisbet

Case study 1: Jonathon Lennon In education and training; independent traveller

• Mainstream secondary school – 3 GCSEs• Mainstream at Oaklands - BTEC First Diploma IT• Discrete provision - Ready to Work• Travel training – self taught• Back to mainstream - BTEC National Award IT• BTEC First Diploma in Art and Design• BTEC National Diploma in Interactive Media

• Supported work placements and voluntary work: Over 60s Club, Hertfordshire PASS and Marks and Spencer

• Ambitions for the future



Case study 2: Mark Boxer Combining education with part-time paid employment; independent traveller; car driver; living independently.

• Left special school at 16• Mainstream at Oaklands: Entry Level Business

Administration and Retail• Introduction to voluntary work (Earthworks)• Specialist travel training • Supported work placement at Waitrose resulting in part-

time paid employment• Driving test: passed at first attempt!• BBC LSC Big Skill (Skills for Work) winner in 2009• Progress to National Award in Business• Fulfilling life: own flat, car, trip to New York in 2010,

sustainable employment and professional achievements• Ambitions for the future






Transition to Employment programme: the benefits

• One to one ongoing support, information and guidance • Specific focus on employment • Vocational profiling: identifying vocational interests, skills

and abilities • Positive outlook: building on strengths; helping to address

any weaknesses • Achievable goals • Gradual development of social and vocational skills in real

work settings – with appropriate level of support • Natural supports at work (work buddies)• Supported work placements = training on the job = working

interview• Variety of opportunities = wealth of transferable skills• Maximising positive outcomes through partnership working• Continuum of support: partnership working


A BIG THANK YOU

• Jonathon Lennon, Hilda Lennon and Marks and Spencer, London Colney

• Mark Boxer, Sarah Boxer and Mark’s employer Waitrose, WGC


For more information go to:

Oaklands College, Learning for Living and Work

Successful transitions from education to employment for learners on the autistic spectrum at Oaklands College

http://learn.oaklands.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=886



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Proud to achieve Successful transitions from education to employment for learners on the autistic spectrum at Oaklands College Presentation by Ela Nisbet