STUDENTS looking to exterminate doubts about the future have been offered help from specialists in education, training and care.
Dozens of organisations, offering advice on further education, training and development, employment, leisure opportunities and voluntary work, attended a Passport to the Future careers day, hosted by The Dales School, Morton-on-Swale, near Northallerton.
The session, specifically aimed at young people with special needs, was attended by hundreds of students, families and carers from all over the region.
Assistant head teacher of The Dales School Anne Baker said: “We hold our Passport to the Future day each year to offer young people extra support when deciding what they want to do in the future.
“It gives students and families a real chance to see not only what we can offer here at The Dales School but also the opportunity to find out about other services all under the one roof.
“Young people and their families need to be aware of all the possibilities after age 16 – there is lots going on and it is important to get everyone here in one place to help support them through that transition process.”
Organisations taking part in the event included Hambleton District Council, Citizens Advice Bureau, Mencap, Home from Home Care, Riding For the Disabled, St Anne’s Community Services, The Avalon Group, Jennyruth Workshops, Keyring Network, Wear Valley Road Respite Care Centre, Just the Job Environmental Services, Priory Education Services, Askham Bryan College, United Response, Northdale Horticulture, Linkage Community Trust, Middlesbrough College, Henshaws College, Darlington College, Yatton House Society, Chopsticks, Dilston College, Harrogate College and NYCC’s Supported Employment.
Students were also able to view all the facilities available at The Dales School, which offers education up to age 19.
Mum Jael Brown, of Thirsk, whose son Jacob, 17, attends The Dales School added: “Jacob came to The Dales School when he was 16 and it has been really good for him.
“There was no problem with the transition from his old school and we have seen a new maturity and confidence in him since he arrived here. We have been coming to the Passport to the Future event here since Jacob was 13.
“When you have a child with special needs you already have a lot of constraints on you time within the normal course of life; you don’t have time to go out and see all of the individual organisations and professionals so getting them all here under one roof, especially on a weekend, is a really good idea.”
