One of the earliest pieces of work we were One of the first pieces of work we were involved in with the local authority, was in establishing a Multi Agency Protocol.
This document was to be fundamental in our work with key agencies as it outlines the roles and responsibilities of the key agencies involved in the transition to adulthood of young people with additional needs.
The main essence of the Multi Agency Protocol is to seek to ensure that all professionals working with a young person do so together to support the young person who is at the centre of the process.
We were very pleased to have been involved in contributing to the Multi Agency protocol with the the Local Authority.This document was a great success and has been recognised by other authorities who have used it as a guide for their own practice.
Click here or on the image above to open the Multi-Agency Protocol
Person Centred Reviews
Many professionals involved with Special Schools in Wiltshire have now received training in Person Centred reviews and the WPCC was fortunate enough for the Transitions Lead to be included in this training. The training took place over three days and resulted in all those present having a clear understanding of the process, the tools involved in the reviews that would enable the young person to get the most out of their review and attendees became qualified facilitators for Person Centred Reviews.
The training was so successful that St. Nicholas School in Chippenham has now completed several Person Centred Reviews with very positive feedback from parents and young people and this is encouraging other special schools to look at adopting this model. Further training will be run this November with a view to increasing Special Schools’ confidence in adopting this model of review; it is ultimately hoped that when all Special Schools in Wiltshire have been trained, these types of reviews can also be adopted by Mainstream schools in Wiltshire. We have also been in discussion with the Transition Team at Wiltshire Council about Person Centred Reviews Familiarisation training for parents and we are hopeful that this may become a reality so watch this space!
To further support familes and young people going through Transition, Wiltshire Council in consultation with the WPCC produced a Transition Guide to give clear and concise information about the Transition process and what to expect from it. The guide identifies which agencies could be involved, choices available and the planning needed for young people with special educational needs or a disability to make a successful transition. This guide is currently being updated and will be sent to families as the young person enters Year 9.
Workshops
A successful Transitions Fayre was held in Devizes in May 2010 giving participants access to a range of information through workshops such as Person Centred Reviews, Housing, Employment Options, Social Care etc. Following the success of this event, further similar events are being planned but with a different specific theme each time.
Surveys
Feedback received from parent members in response to a recent Transitions survey have been fed back and discussed with the Transitions Team at Wiltshire Council. The results flagged up some useful observations such as input from Connexions, notice given for Reviews and information about actions following the Review which is being discussed at various departments within the Council and will hopefully inform improvements in service of time.