Answers to Questions

NOVITA CHILDREN'S SERVICES

In reply to the Hon. K.L. VINCENT (22 June 2010).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises): The Minister for Disability has provided the following information:

1. The following services and programs are provided to assist young people with disabilities to transition from childhood to adulthood:

Novita Children's Services has arrangements in place for clients aged between 16 to 18 years to transition to Disability Services for adult services. This may include individual transition plans, information sessions and meetings.

Disability Services assists with transitioning young people with intellectual disabilities from school to programs such as supported employment and day options.

The Social Inclusion Board Report's, 'Choices and Connections—A Better Pathways Service Approach for Young People with Disabilities', is now running in the Playford, Port Adelaide/Enfield and Port Augusta Council areas. This program assists young people with disabilities who are at risk of not making a successful transition from school to post school options.

Disability Services and the Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS) support transition programs located at Daw Park and Prospect through the Community Partnerships Program.

They also assist young people with disabilities to transition from child to adult services through planning frameworks. A Negotiated Education Plan (NEP) is developed in conjunction with parents or caregivers.

Information sessions for parents and students are held, by DECS to provide details about post school pathways—including further education through TAFE or University, Disability Enterprise Services or day option programs.

To assist in the transition to post-school pathways and the development of work readiness skills, students with disabilities may participate in work experience, training packages, structured workplace learning or TAFE courses.

When appropriate, students are referred to Disability Enterprise Services (DES) to begin some form of supported employment.

Innovative Community Action Networks, mentoring and Flexible Learning Options programs may also assist students with a disability that are vulnerable or becoming disengaged with education.

The Disability Transition Program for students provides vocational education and training opportunities for those students in their final year of school.

It should be noted that not all young people who are clients of Novita require adult disability services and may seek support in the mainstream system, particularly for employment and tertiary education.

2. In addition to the provisions already in place, Novita already works closely with numerous adult services to provide ongoing support or assistance to young people with a disability as they enter adulthood.

3. Existing programs are in place to help young South Australians with a disability to transition to the post school environment. These also include recent initiatives resulting from the work of the Social Inclusion Board. Before consideration is given to other transition programs, it will be necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of those already in place.