Youth Employability Service (YES) - Learning Difficulties & Disabilities (LDD) Advisers

What does your service do?

We offer careers guidance and information to young people with a statement or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan). We support young people with statements of special educational needs or EHC Plans. We attend Annual Reviews from year 10. We convert statements of special educational needs into EHC Plans working closely with the young person and their family. Supporting young people with EHC Plans over the summer months after  leaving school and during the first months of their course.

We write Education Funding Agency (EFA) applications for specialist provision. We act as an expert witness at SEN tribunals as required by the local authority.

In Year 10 - we offer a guidance appointment and attend the Annual Review. As a statutory  duty the YES team will conduct an assessment in the last year of school of any pupil with a statement or an EHC Plan leaving school at 16 - 19 years, as to the plan for post school education or training.

In Year 11 - we will offer guidance appointments & attend reviews as with Years 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17.

Where is it located and what area does it cover?

Our address is: SEN Team, Children's Services (Education and Inclusion), 3rd Floor, Kings House, Grand Avenue, Hove BN3 2LS

Our scope is citywide and we work with young people with statements or EHC Plans who are away at school or college outside of Brighton.

Who does your service provide for?

Young people in Brighton & Hove who have a statement of Special Educational Needs or an EHC Plan to support them to make a successful transition into employment, education or training (EET).

All aspects of Special Educational Needs (SEN), including: Physical disability; Sensory impairment; Behavioural, social and emotional difficulties; Autism; Learning difficulties in the Post 16 age range.

How can I start using the service?

For the young person to have a SEN statement or EHC Plan and to be over 14.

How are decisions made about who can use your service?

As above

How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making/planning?

Feedback is given through the usual means, Face to face conversation; telephone conversation and written feedback (letter or email).

Appeals can be made with the Section 139A plan (aka - The 'Moving On Plan' - MOP), where the parents and young person have the final say and agreement to what information is in the MOP.

Is your service fully accessible?

Supporting young people with current statements of special educational needs Attendance at Annual Reviews from year 10 Writing statutory S139A assessments (Moving On Plans - MOPs) Supporting young people with MOPs over the summer months after transition and during the first months of their course.

Writing Education Funding Agency (EFA) applications for specialist provision. Acting as an expert witness at SEN tribunals as required by the local authority.

Year 9 - We will provide a general statement for contribution to the Annual Review paperwork for Year 9.

Year 10 - we will offer a guidance appointment and attend the Annual Review

Year 11 - we will offer guidance appointments, attend the Annual Review and draw up the Moving On Plan.

Year 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 - Team members working in Post 16 schools / sixth forms with statemented young people will attend each year's Annual Review and, if appropriate, draw up a Moving On Plan. Referral to the NEET team, if appropriate.

Accessibility

• Accessible toilet
• Accessible changing facilities
• Lift
• Ramp

What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had or are having?

The team consists of professionally Information,Advice and Guidance (IAG) qualified LDD Advisers who work with young people in special and mainstream schools who have a statement of special educational needs (SEN or an EHC Plan).

We work with other services and this is to enable these young people to make a successful transition at 16, 18 or 24 years and involves liaising with parent/carers and schools, as well as supporting young people in schools and colleges outside of Brighton & Hove.

Who can I contact for further information?