Connexions
If you’re aged between 13 and 19 – at school, college, in training, at work or out of work – you can have access to a Connexions Personal Adviser. We’re there for you whoever you are and whatever you’re doing.
Our specially trained Connexions Personal Advisers will listen to you and offer advice and guidance on:
- Careers
- Jobs
- Training
- Education
- Voluntary Work
- Leisure activities
Personal Advisers can also offer practical help with any issues you may have with:
- Housing
- Health
- Drugs
- Pregnancy
- Alcohol
- Money worries
Connexions is a one-stop shop for information advice and guidance and if they can’t help you directly, they can find the specialist help you need. Whether it’s just a bit of advice and information or real support to deal with a problem, Connexions can help you.
If you have special education needs (SEN)
If you are in year 9 and you have a statement of special needs you will have an opportunity to meet with all the people who work with you to review your progress and future needs. This meeting is called a Transition Review and is usually held in school. The meeting will give you the opportunity to talk about what you want to do after the age of 16 and decide what support you may need. This is called a ‘Transition Plan’ and it will be reviewed in year 10 and 11. In Year 11 your Connexions Personal Adviser will advise you on college courses, training and work options, financial support and transport. You can still get help from Connexions after you leave school. If you are over the age of 19 we will be able to help you look at other services that can support you, like Adult or Health Services.
Information for Parents of Learners with Special Education Needs
All learners with special needs will meet with their personal adviser to talk about their progress and explore future options. Any details from this meeting will be recorded in an ‘Action Plan’ for you to refer to. Where a young person has a Statement of Educational Needs a Transition Plan meeting is held to discuss future opportunities for learning and employment. The young person will play a full part in this meeting. The Transition Plan will be reviewed in years 10 and 11. In year 11, the young person and their Connexions PA will meet to consider college courses, training programmes, employment opportunities, transport and financial issues such as Education Maintenance Allowance. They will also complete a form that records their progress and identifies what support they will need in the future. This form needs to be signed by the young person or their parent. Connexions will continue to support the young person after they leave school.
