Research shows that students say their parents help them make key career decisions, with many also adding that their parents have the most influence on their career decisions.

For many parent/carers this is a stressful time and say they don’t know where to get accurate online information to help them support their child.  

Below are a number of useful links to help you. Some have ‘quizzes’ to help start discussions about types of careers if your child has no idea about what to do.

How to help your child with their future career plans…

• Talk to them about what they like doing, their hobbies and passions
• Sit down with your child, encourage self-awareness (what skills and qualities do they have/could they develop) and encourage them to explore their options (direct them to their page on the careers website)
• Talk about career ideas and future plans at the right time and when they are open to speak about their future
• Research a wide range of careers yourself, particularly when your child starts mentioning particular route.
• Encourage them to make the most of their Career Guidance Interviews they have in years 7 through to Post 16 with our Independent Career Connect Adviser, Ms Ruth Evans
• Attend the Meet The College & Training Provider Event which is held in WKS every Autumn Term
• Find out about entry requirements for school, college and university courses or jobs they are interested in
• Keep an eye on changes in education, job trends and LMI (Labour Market Information), for information on LMI, click here

You can support your child:

• When they are making option choices in year 9, post 16 and post 18
• With finding and participating in work experience
• By encouraging them to make the most of their Careers Guidance Interviews in years 11-13
• By encouraging them to participate in appropriate extra-curricular and out of school activities to develop a range of skills
• By encouraging them to find out about the world of work and labour market information

Try to…

• Encourage your child to make informed decisions
• Let them take the lead and get them to do the reseach
• Be open minded, try not to judge their choice
• Do not answer a query if you are not sure about it. It’s ok to take time, research or seek professional help

Be aware…

• Your child may change their career interest as they become aware of more option choices - it is ok for them to change their mind
• Many employers look at people’s on-line profiles so remind your child to be careful when using social media

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There are a number of things parents and carers can do to make the transition period less stressful for autistic young people.

• It’s a good idea to start the planning process early, so that there is plenty of time to prepare for new situations and changes.
• If a young person is planning to go to college or university, it can help to meet support staff before they start and become familiar with the new environment.
• There are organisations that can help young autistic people to find employment and apprenticeships.
• Arranging a more flexible start may help to make the new situation less overwhelming, so for example starting a new job part-time or attending a reduced number of university lectures, if that is possible.

Whenever plans about a young person’s future are made, it’s vital that they are consulted on their wishes and preferences where possible, even if it’s felt that the person does not have the capacity to make decisions themselves.

Click here for more information and toolkits

All young people need guidance to prepare for their future. A young person with special educational needs (SEN) may face additional challenges to achieving their goals. These include lack of information about options, low expectations about what is achievable, and difficulty in making their views heard. So they may need extra support as they move on from school to college, or from education into adult life.

All young people need help getting ready for their future. Our WKS pupils may face additional challenges to achieving their goals. These include lack of information about options, low expectations about what is achievable, and difficulty in making their views heard.  At WKS, we provide your child with the opportunity to access extra support that they need, as they move on from WKS to college, or from education into adult life.

The system of support for SEN places particular importance on helping children and young people prepare for their future. This is referred to in the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Code of Practice 2015 as “Preparing for Adulthood”.

Preparing for adulthood means preparing for:

• Higher education and/or employment.
• Independent living.
• Participating in society: friendships and contributing to the local community.
• Being as healthy as possible in later life.

Preparation for child transition to adulthoodshould start early – long before your child becomes an adult.  

All schools have a legal duty to provide impartial careers advice from Career Connect to all young people from at least Year 8 upwards.  At WKS, we start the process in Year 7 and we include our Year 6s in the Meet The Training Provider event to aid their decision process.