Connexions

1
Connexions

• Lee Tether - Development Manager
• Sandra Hawkes - SEN Development Adviser

2
The Connexions Service

• Background/Structure/Key Purpose
• Statutory Basis of SEN Work
• Annual Reviews
• Section 140 Assessments
• Other SEN Work
• The Future

3
Background What Connexions does

• Connexions was launched in April 2001 to provide
  an advice service for young people aged 13 - 19
• Connexions helps young people make informed
  choices (about careers, learning, training etc)
  in order to ensure a successful transition to
  adulthood
• Additionally, Connexions can provide support to
  help remove barriers to learning/progression
• Connexions employ Personal Advisers (PA) to
  provide this support mainly working 1 to 1 with
  young people
• A key target of Connexions is to reduce the
  proportion of young people who are NEET

4
Background - What Connexions Does

• Connexions is a universal service but with a
  remit to target young people at risk of
  underachievement or disaffection or who face
  other barriers (such as LDD)
• Exceptionally, Connexions can work with young
  people up to age 25 who have complex learning
  difficulties or disabilities
• Connexions is committed to working in partnership
  with others to remove these barriers
• Originally the Service was delivered through 47
  Connexions Partnerships covering England only
• Connexions was funded by the DfES (now DCSF)
• This arrangement will formally cease from April
  2008

5
Statutory Basis of LDD/SEN Work

• Connexions responsibilities regarding young
  people with learning difficulties/disabilities
  are outlined in

Section 140 of the Learning and Skills Act
(2000) and are elaborated on by the SEN Code of
Practice (Nov 2001)
6
Transition Planning Meetings

• Start in Year 9 and are reviewed yearly
• A Transition Plan draws together information
  to plan for the young persons transition to
  adult life (SEN Code of Practice)
• A Transition Plan should have action points with
  timescales, and attach names or agencies to each
  action
• Considers the views of the young person

7
Section 140 Assessments

• Connexions Personal Advisers have a statutory
  duty to complete assessments for those young
  people with learning difficulties or disabilities
  in their last year of compulsory schooling if
  they are moving on to education, training or
  higher education (Learning and Skills Act 2000 -
  Section 140)
• Transfer information to Post 16 Providers to
  ensure they provide appropriate support to ensure
  successful transition

8
Other work with YP with SEN/LDD

Although not a statutory responsibility,
Connexions are expected to carry out a
coordinating role for applications to the LSC for
funding for places at specialist colleges.
9
The Future

• Youth Matters - Next Steps (2006) committed the
  Government to route Connexions funding to Local
  Authorities who will be responsible for
  commissioning services working towards an
  Integrated Youth Offer
• This will take place from April 2008 but already
  many of the original 47 Connexions Partnerships
  have disappeared
• It is clear that Connexions will continue post
  April but the delivery structure will vary
  considerably across the country and within
  regions