1

Transitions work in Wales

Supporting young people with sight loss to achieve their full potential in education,

training and employment.

Sophie Dyment - Transitions Officer - RNIB Cymru

2

• Based at Neath Port Talbot College.

• All Wales remit.

• Supporting people from 14 - 25 years old.

• Help reduce number of visually impaired people currently Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) in Wales.

• 65 % of visually impaired adults of working age are currently unemployed.

3

School

6th form/college

University

Joining up the journey.

Employment

4

School

Vocational training

Employment

Joining up the journey.

5

Joining up the journy.

School

Employment

Joining up the journey.

6

Barriers to effective transition

• Lack of awareness / information about support (Access To Work).

• Under developed soft skills e.g confidence / self advocacy/ posture/ eye contact

• Lack of meaningful work experience placements.

• Access to I.T.• Lack of awareness about how to deal with

disclosure.• Misconceptions of employers / lecturers etc.

7

Provide information and guidance to enable young people to plan ahead and make better informed choices about their future.

How can the Transitions Officer help join up the journey ?

How? •Transitions guide •One to one advice and guidance

8

Support at school

• Advice regarding annual reviews • Advise student on post 16 options• Advice on how to prepare for post school

changes • Letters of support for residential placements • Advice on ensuring FE support is in place • Signposting to e.g. Careers Wales

9

Support at university

• Advice and guidance to young people applying to university

• Advice re Disabled Students Allowance and support available

• Advice to ensure young people are fully prepared for living away from home e.g. mobility / independent living

10

Support into employment

Ensure young people are aware of :

• Important contacts e.g. DEA

• Support e.g. Access To Work

• Signpost to relevant agencies e.g. RNIB Employment Advisors / welfare rights

• V.i specific issues e.g. disclosure / posture /

11

90% of employers rate visually impaired people as either“difficult” or “impossible” to employ.

RNIB Research 2004: Beyond the stereotypes – blind and partially sighted people and work, London.

12

Support Towards Employment (STEP) Programme

Residential scheme July 2011

Aimed at undergraduates and graduates

Workshops on interview technique, presentation at interview skills, job search skills, how to deal with disclosure, Access to Work support and confidence building.

AIM - increase possibility of successfully gaining employment

13

STEP in action

14

Outcomes 4 people secured full time employment

15

Outcomes

• 1 person is undertaking a voluntary placement in her chosen career which will hopefully translate into paid work

• 2 people have found the confidence to set up their own business

16

"I strongly believe that his course should be run as much as possible as the confidence, emotional security and practical skills it has given participants can not be underestimated. I am now in contact with participants of the course and we will no doubt continue to support each other through employment and beyond."

Sara, 24, Neath

17

Sometimes it may be necessary to challenge the

PROCESSby which an employer recruits.

Is it accessible to an applicant with a visual impairment?

18

Successful transition = more than academic success • Knowledge and information

• Confidence and self advocacy

• Independence

• Mechanisms to deal with sight loss related issues

• Soft skills

• Self belief

19

Sophie Dyment:sophie.dyment@rnib.org.uk

Office: 02920 449 571 Mobile: 07909 874 501