Leaving School – The transition process.

Leaving school.

I can remember a few years ago how the two words above filled me full of fear and a sense of dread. 

If our children are to successfully move forward leaving school, as Beth’s mum, I would encourage all parents to follow a structured and supported transition programme. These programmes are offered through school and external providers.

We were first introduced to Orchardville through Clifton School, where Beth was a pupil until the age of 19. Beth embarked upon Orchardville’s transition programme that saw her completing courses such as managing money, travel training, and preparing for work. Beth even took part in a mock interview she had to compete an application form and apply for a job. Orchardville organised for an external professional from the local business community, to interview Beth and the rest of her peers. I have to admit this was not just daunting for Beth but all of us as a family. From this mock interview Beth learned vital skills on how to introduce herself, to enter a room full of strangers and how to dress appropriatelyfor an interview but mostly it built on her confidence. Beth received constructive feedback in a simple and manageable form that she understood and has since used in a variety of settings over the past few years. 

Beth carried out many exercises to develop her independence, these not only built on what she was learning in school but it also highlighted where Beth’s interests lay, in relation to the world of work. Job sampling followed and Beth one day a week worked in a variety of settings e.g. a school, coffee shop and a children’s day nursery. By spending one day a week out of school and travelling to her place of work, Beth’s anxiety levels were lowered and her fears of leaving the safety of Clifton school began to ease. As a mum and indeed the whole family, we watched Beth’s confidence and self-belief soar.Orchardville were complementing the work in Clifton and building a self-realisation in Beth that she could achieve success, within the world of adulthood and work.

This placement every week was a challenge for Beth and if I am being honest it was a challenge for me as her mum. I knew if the transition from school – work was going to be a success I had to let go, trust Orchardville and allow Beth a greater degree of independence. It wasn’t easy for any of us, the transition programme however did not only support Beth but through their communication with home and school, they offered us, as a family, a wide range of information, in-depth advice and vital sign postingin relation to social services and other avenues of support, they met us at our greatest point of need.Meeting the transitions officer early on in the process allowed for Beth to form a positive, encouraging relationship and also a level of trust, we also benefitted from this relationship building.Embedding the logistics of transition from school early on I feel is vital for our children, if it is to be successful.  

Beth has two older sisters and, as parents, my husband and I always believed they should have every opportunity open to them so that they could make informed choices for their futures and we wanted it to be no different for Beth. I believe this is what Orchardville’s transition programme did for Beth they offered her opportunity but also they, along with Clifton school, laid the foundations and building blocks necessary, for Beth to successfully make the transition from school into the world of work and beyond.

Preparing any young person for the future is not without its stresses and worries but for individualslike Beth it can be a terrifying and anxiety filled experience and as a mum, I believe if not planned and implemented correctly it can have massively negative implications for the future. Had it not been for Orchardville’s trained staff walking through the programme with Beth, I do not think she would have progressed as far as she has today. Beth won’t mind me saying that anxiety is a major deal with us and if anxiety levels rise this impacts on Beth’s overall physical and mental health and well-being. If providers such as Orchardville are not able to offer a transition service, I truly believe we will see an increase in young adults with a learning disability and/or autism being unable to access, worth whileand sustainable employment. We as a family have witnessed first hand that employment in Beth, be it paid or voluntary, brings self-worth, a sense of pride and a sense of achievement. This in turn builds confidence enabling Beth to want to try new and different experiences. The transition programme met a need in Beth that we were unable to, throughout the process Beth was actively prepared in her journey to leave school, whilst developing in her a readiness for work.

I now look back at that time in Beth’s life and I remember the fears and worries we had for her and I also recall her anxiety. I know, as a parent, the worth of the transition programme and all that Orchardville put in place for not only Beth, but for all the pupils in her class. With their input Beth was able to confidently and more importantly, happily look towards the prospect of ‘moving on’ and leave school. Beth was able to enter the stage of adulthood and embrace all that it would bring.