Leaving school can be one of the most exciting milestones in our lives – but it’s not without its challenges. With both excitement and uncertainty surrounding the end of school, this can be a challenging time in the lives of young people. For young people living with disability, this moment of transition can bring more challenges to consider: navigating new routines, building independence, and preparing to enter the workforce for the first time.

At Crescent Care, we know just how important this life stage is. Our School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program has been carefully designed to help young people living with disability move from school to employment as smoothly as possible. With personalised guidance, hands-on learning, and care-filled mentoring, we work closely with participants to grow the skills and confidence they need to take the first steps into their career goals, growing their independence as young adults as they do so.

The importance of early employment pathways

The first few years after leaving school can have such a fundamental impact on adulthood for young people. For all of us, meaningful work goes beyond earning an income, extending into our sense of purpose, belonging, and self-esteem. 

For young people living with disability, structured support during this crucial time of transition can be transformative. This is a significant opportunity to grow their independence, set their sights on their goals and visions, and understand what they’re capable of with thoughtful and compassionate support. That’s where SLES comes in, creating a necessary bridge between the familiarity of education and the employment world.

What is the School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program?

Crescent Care’s School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) program is an NDIS-supported program available to NDIS participants in their final year of school, or those who have recently left. 

This tailored program is focused on the transition from school to the workplace, and can support the development of skills, including:

• Resume writing and interview skills
• Job opportunity identification
• Workplace communication
• Job-readiness abilities
• Practical experience to improve employment outcomes
• Independent living capacities

Since employment success has such a clear connection to broader life skills (such as managing time and money, planning daily routines, and navigating public transport), the work participants do in our SLES program can also positively impact their wider sense of independence and autonomy. These skills are foundational not just for work, but for supporting young adults living with disability to grow their self-sufficiency.

Personalised, empowering employment support

As with all of our support services at Crescent Care, each of our SLES participants experience personalised, empowering support as they move from the familiarity of school into the new world of employment. 

We love to work collaboratively with these young adults, focusing on the specific skills and experiences they need to move with confidence into their early employment opportunities. By working closely with our supporting mentors, participants are able to grow their independence, problem-solving skills, and decision-making abilities.

Growing confidence through real-world experience

There’s no shortcut to building valuable first-hand experiences. As a part of our SLES program, we strategically build opportunities for school leavers to gain experience in their field of interest. Learning how to work as part of a team, managing shared responsibilities, working towards collaborative goals – these work experience placements can lead to significant increases in confidence and capabilities that translate into real-world skills.

Ongoing career support

Securing employment is a major milestone – but that’s not where our work ends with our school leavers. Crescent Care continues to offer eligible clients ongoing career support, providing a regular framework to help them adjust to their new work environments as they build long-term skills and relationships.

Further support is available through our Disability Employment Program, which includes:

• Job readiness programs – tailored programs to help individuals with disabilities develop the skills and confidence needed for employment
• One-on-one employment support – the Crescent Care team can provide ongoing personalised support to help individuals maintain meaningful employment after they’ve been hired
• Further workplace experience opportunities – supported work placements can help to develop further practical skills, enhance engagement within workplaces, and boost individual confidence levels

Conclusion

We’re thrilled to support young adults living with disability to take the exciting, scary steps from school into employment through our SLES program. This transition period is a defining chapter for all of us, and we make the most of this opportunity to build confidence, set clear goals, and encourage greater independence through skills development. By combining real-world experience with practical training and strategic support, we’re able to help empower young people in our community to discover their strengths as they plan their career pathway and seek out early employment opportunities. Learn more about our School Leaver Employment Supports program and find the support you or your loved one needs to move with confidence and clarity. We’ll be alongside you every step of the way.