Stonehaven CSN

More Choices More Chances “The Way Ahead”

OUTLINE

Kincardine & Mearns MCMC Strategy GroupMCMC ProcessEngaging With Young PeoplePlanning & FormatLinks With The CommunityStaff, Young People & HMIe’s PerspectiveDestinationsWhat We’ve Learned

Kincardine & Mearns MCMC Strategy Group(Portlethen, Stonehaven & Mearns)

Who Are We Partners who meet to take an Area approach to

the MCMC Agenda Partnership – Community Learning & Development (CLD)

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Academy Guidance/Support For Learning Staff Carronhill School (Special School with Nursery unit) Psychological Services Social Work Aberdeen College & Angus College

Meetings….. Initially twice a term, now termly Rotate round the three Networks Agenda & Minutes circulated to all partners Agenda –

Update on the three areas/Share Good Practice Future Developments Open Days Presentations from Partners -

Aberdeen College Angus College Transition Extreme

What Difference Has The Group Made ?

Strengthened Partnership links Improved information exchange Highlighted the MCMC agenda Careers Essentials offered in an outreach basis Partners visited Angus College- Skill Zone Extra Psychological Services – Changes in practice and

research shared Listed early intervention activity across the K & M area Highlighted the gaps in provision for school leavers with

additional support needs Collated 16+ Options in the K & M Area

ProcessPartnership planning

Initial meeting - CLD, SDS, Guidance

The purpose of this is to identify: Young people Their concerns Their Individual needs

Engaging with young people

CLD staff meet young people within school to explain who we are and what we do.

We find out Young people’s interests, motivation and

goals Young people’s concerns

In the end Young people decide

The Way Ahead

An individual plan Tool for young people to reflect on goals and

achievements Utilised by staff to build group sessions Opportunity to identify any literacy issues

Planning

Information from Guidance/young people discussed by CLD staff

Potential activities identified Timetabling/practical issues addressed Initial contact with volunteers/community organisations

Young people’s interests are the starting point for learning

Format

Sessions are informal Sessions take place off site Staff and young people jointly identify goals Staff and young people agree on rules and

responsibilities

Sample Sessions

• Getting to know you• How to make decisions• Job applications and CVs• Mock Interviews• Practical work experience• Outside visits• Cookery• Budgeting• Dealing with work issues/interpersonal skills• Discussion/advice re school work, course choice•Team Building

Team Building at the Maritime Rescue Institute

What the young people said -“I have learned that there is always something to do after you have left school, in education or work, and also how to apply for jobs, the different ways too apply, and good ways too sell yourself too employers”.

“i have learned about interviews & applications & how to go about getting a job etc”

“I have learned more about careers which I have an interest in”

“The staff here are good at understanding your situations and give great advice on how to apply for work. They are also great support for leaving school and have made the thought of leaving school less scary”

“It was fun but helpful”

What was achieved? Increased sense of self worth Practical experience of applications/CVs/mock interviews Developing relationships with SDS Identifying suitable college courses Using job sites Support looking for work and accessing benefits Opportunity to test out careers Experience of volunteer work Time to consider options in a supportive environment Ongoing individual support if required

Tailored 1:1 support Work with young people post 16 Young people have sought help via outreach work, group

sessions and self referral Person centred support takes place as appropriate Learners are now closer to achieving their goals Each journey is unique

“Targeted support to those identified as Christmas leavers enabled young people attending MCMC to

explore options. Practical help to develop CVs, covering letters and completing application forms has resulted with young people starting college

courses and looking for employment.”

Destinations

Group 4 returned to school to complete 5th year 5 secured a college place 1 has a college interview 3 unknown destinations 1 left school and gained employment 2 taster sessions for volunteering

1:1 2 are volunteers and are working towards accreditation 1 left school and gained employment 1 has gone to college 2 have applied to college and are awaiting a decision

Some Big Questions

Tracking young people How to measure success How to identify post 16 How to create opportunities to volunteer Is it a success to return to school?