When a young person leaves school, they are often unsure of the next step. Should they undertake further study, learn a trade, or jump straight into a job?
If that person has a disability, they may face extra barriers and can be unsure where to start. The NDIS can provide funding for people of all ages to access employment supports including school leavers in the form of School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES). This funding is designed to build a person’s skills and confidence and help them to identify and explore their career goals.
Distinctive Options, a NDIS registered support provider, offers School Leaver Employment Supports and is now providing individualised 1:1 employment supports for NDIS participants. Through their SLES and Work-Ready Program, people of all ages can explore their career goals and work towards obtaining meaningful jobs in the community.
Distinctive Options currently provides supported employment opportunities within the Brew Crew Cafe and Banksia Fine Foods. By utilising these established businesses and the existing community partnerships, participants can experience the ins and outs of the workforce to determine where their interests and passions lie.
Working towards employment skills such as workplace communication, time management, job searching and supports on the job, Distinctive Options
provides a person-centered approach to employment. As a result, they are building the capacity of people with disabilities and educating the community on the skills and potential of all our members.
As an example, from Distinctive Options’ current group of Work-Ready participants across Victoria, Distinctive Options supported Ryan, who transferred his woodwork skills to begin further study in Carpentry with the goal of gaining an apprenticeship.
Another SLES participant, Aiden, was supported to meet with the Western Bulldogs AFL Club to discuss pathways into the sports industry and is now focusing on building these skills in local football clubs.
With support from Distinctive Options, Samantha identified she wanted to work in hospitality. SLES provided support to build her confidence, and the work skills needed to gain work experience in the bakery of a local supermarket, and she is learning all about baking and packaging foods to sell in retail.
With a Distinctive Options individualised employment plan, participants are given the flexibility and support to nominate skills and interests and explore their career goals. Distinctive Options’ support workers are trained to work 1:1 with participants to identify career goals and make plans to achieve them.
