“what next?” events for young people aged 13-19 with a learning difficulty and/or disability - or their parent/carer

7 November 2013 at the Saffron Centre
13 November 2013 at the Drum

If you are a young person aged 13-19 with a learning difficulty and/or disability, or their parent/carer, this is your chance to find out about:

• colleges
• work related training
• careers advice
• independent living
• social worker services
• parent and family support

Drop in at either event between 1pm and 7pm. There will be a programme of workshops that you may like to attend. The workshops will start at 4.30pm and will last for about 20 minutes each. The workshops will cover:

• planning for transition
• social care
• family information

HOW TO FIND US:
The Saffron Centre, 256 Moseley Road, B12 0BS (just off Highgate Middleway; car parking is available, or get bus number 50 or X50 from Moor Street Queensway)
The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, B6 4UU (just off the A34 opposite Newtown swimming baths; car parking is available, or get buses 8A/8C inner circle, 33 or 51)

For further information, contact Keisha Campbell on 0121 675 6198 or email her keisha.campbell@birmingham.gov.uk

The what next? events have been organised by the Disabled Children’s Social Care Team and Connexions Birmingham.

What next? information events for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities

18 October 2012:
The Saffron Centre
256 Moseley Road, Birmingham B12 0BS
Drop in between 1pm and 8pm

31 October 2012:
Carrs Lane Church Centre
Carrs Lane, Birmingham B4 7SX
Drop in between 3pm and 8pm

If you are a young person aged 13-19 with a learning difficulty and/or disability, or their parent/carer, or a professional supporting a young person with learning difficulties, this is your chance to find out about:

• Colleges
• Work Related Training
• Careers Advice
• Independent Living
• Social Worker Services
• Parent and Family Support

At both events there will be a programme of workshops that you can attend, starting at 6pm and lasting for about 20 minutes. The workshops will cover:

• Planning for Transition
• Social Care
• Family Information

Comments about last year's events:

• "Much wider range of support options than I was aware of" (parent/carer)
• "It's really helpful and it helps me know what to do in the future" (young person)

"what next?" event returns

After a break of eight years 2011 will see the return of the what next? events that were run between 2000 and 2003.

For the last two years the Transition Group of Birmingham City Council have run Information, Advice and Guidance events aimed at young people with LDD, their families, friends and professionals who support them. The events provide an opportunity to find out about the range of support and provision available to help young people with LDD make a smooth transition to adult life.

This year Connexions Birmingham is taking the lead in organising these events with support from the Disabled Children’s Team and we have taken the opportunity to link the events to our established what next? publication.

This autumn there will be two events:

• Thursday 20 October from 1.00pm to 8.00pm
  The Saffron Centre
  256 Moseley Road
  Birmingham B12 0BS
• Thursday 3 November from 3.00pm to 8.00pm
  Carrs Lane Church
  Carrs Lane
  Birmingham B4 7SX

We are expecting a wide range of organisations, agencies and services to exhibit at the events including:

• Children’s and Adult Disability Teams

• Voluntary organisations

• Supported Employment Services

• Local colleges with supported learning courses

• Training providers

• Organisations supporting independent living

Schools have already had some initial information about the events and flyers are being sent out to all young people in Years 9 to 14 who have a statement. A supply will also be available to area teams so that you can pass them on to other young people who you think would benefit from going to one of the events.

The events are also a great opportunity for you to update your own knowledge of the options and support for LDD clients.

Following feedback from schools, the event on 20 October is going to start at the earlier time of 1pm so that groups of young people can attend the event and get back to their schools before the end of the school day.

There are also going to be workshops at both events, which visitors can attend to find out more about transition planning and services that support transition.