A Transition Guide for All Services - Transition Information Network

The focus of much support is centred on individual disabled young peopleaccessing a specific service on a specific night. In an attempt to offer wider,more creative opportunities many areas have developed ‘special’ nightswhich are set up to support disabled young people to access the service.While these nights can offer a safe and welcoming environment, it isimportant that youth services build the skills and confidence of thosedisabled young people attending and plan for them to access mainstreamyouth provision when they are ready.Effective practiceNottinghamshire have 11 inclusive youth services which are opento all young people. Young people with a range of impairmentsattend each centre. The services run throughout the year withadditional activities in school holidays including residential trips.Sheffield’s Stepping Stone is a central base which co-ordinatesyouth work activities for disabled young people. They offer adviceand will make referrals, if appropriate. They also run youth clubsessions, as well as a summer scheme for 14–18 year olds.Stepping Stone is made up of a joint team of Youth Workers andConnexions workers working with disabled young people. Theintegration of the two disciplines facilitates a greater degree ofjoined up services for disabled young people as they make theirchild to adult transition. The role of the non-formal lifeskillscurriculum and vocational support for young people who don’tnecessarily follow conventional paths into education andemployment is often better approached together.Further examples of effective practice are available fromwww.transitioninfonetwork.org.uk.Chapter 3: Participation and further supportYouth servicesQuality standardsYouth services can play an important part in disabled young people’s sociallives. The checklists in Appendix 6 offer a starting point for developingaccessible and inclusive activities.63