What it the aim of Getting a Life?

Finding new ways of working

The programme seeks to:

identify and demonstrate good practice in enabling young people with learning disabilities to leave school, get paid employment and have full adult lives
explore how to bring together assessment and funding streams from different national and local policy areas, including special educational needs (SEN) assessment and transition planning, Connexions, Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and post-16 education, Jobcentre Plus (including New Deal and Access to Work) and adult social care assessment and day service funding
inform Government about what works and what needs to be changed at a policy level.
develop a learning community to gather and share good practice.

How does it work?

Each of the nine demonstration sites has secured senior commitment from key local delivery services:

Adult Social Services
Children's Services
Learning and Skills Council and Further Education College
Jobcentre Plus

Each site is working with around 30 young people who have learning disabilities, including many with severe learning disabilities.

Each site has a project team that includes young people and their families. Alongside them are senior decision-makers from schools, colleges, children and adult social services in local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, Connexions, Learning and Skills Council and supported employment agencies.