One of the toughest transitions for people with Down syndrome and their families can be when the school years finish and the search for employment begins. Matthew Ford<\/strong> of Disability Services Consulting gives us an overview of the different paths available to students who want to move into work including a closer look at the NDIS School Leavers Employment Support (SLES). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Links referred to in the print journal can be found below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Perhaps the first thing to say about planning a young<\/em> person\u2019s transition to work is to start as early as possible \u2013 in years 9 or 10 rather than 11 or 12. Engage the school staff and potential post-school employment providers to explore employment or further education goals, strategies to realise these goals and the local network of services who can help.\u2019<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Ticket to Work:<\/strong> http:\/\/www.tickettowork.org.au\/ticket-work-locations\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n University of Western Sydney \u2018Get Ready\u2019 workbooks: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.westernsydney.edu.au\/getreadyforstudyandwork<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Disability Employment Services: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.dss.gov.au\/our-responsibilities\/disability-and-carers\/programmes-services\/disability-employment-services<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah Gingfold\u2019s profile of three self-employment stories: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.disabilityservicesconsulting.com.au\/resources\/microenterprise-profiles<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n NDIA info on choosing a SLES provider: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.ndis.gov.au\/participants\/finding-keeping-and-changing-jobs\/leaving-school<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n References:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n [1] Smith, P., McVilly, K., McGillivray, J., Chan, J. 2018b. Developing open employment outcomes for people with an intellectual disability utilising a social enterprise framework. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 48(1) 59\u201377.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [11] ICF International, Customized employment competency model. https:\/\/www.dol.gov\/odep\/pdf\/2011cecm.pdf<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find it here: https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/resources\/education\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tell us in the comments below or share your story <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Pathways](\"https:\/\/www.downsyndrome.org.au\/voice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/03\/Pathways-to-employment.jpg\")
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Down Syndrome Australia\u2019s Employment Inclusion Toolkit <\/strong>is also full of great tips and information on making the transition to work. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDo you have an employment story to tell?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n