School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is early intervention for eligible NDIS participants in their last year of school up to the age of 22.
Designed to support their transition from school to employment, SLES helps young people prepare for and take part in work.
Through SLES, school leavers can receive NDIS funded supports for up to two years focused on improving employment opportunities by getting them work-ready.
The supports provided are designed to meet individual employment goals. Each person’s SLES supports will be different. The following skills can help participants get ready for employment:
- Money handling skills
- Time management skills
- Communication skills
- Discovery activities
- Work experience
- Learning how to take instruction at work
- Travel skills
SLES may lead to a participant engaging with a Disability Employment Service (DES) program provider for ongoing employment support.
Just as with the other supports in their NDIS plan, participants have choice and control in how they use their SLES supports, and who provides them.
Providers who deliver SLES help young people prepare, look for and gain employment.
They provide meaningful, individualised capacity building activities so young people can achieve their employment goals:
- Partnerships and support in the local community
- Use their professional networks to engage and connect with employers.
SLES is just one of a number of options to employment for school leavers. Other options include:
- School to open employment
- School to a DES provider
- Accepting a position in supported employment through an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE).
- Undertaking further education through a TAFE or university; or
- Volunteering.
APM Communities are offering free SLES information sessions by appointment. To find out more phone 1800 276 522 or visit your local APM Communities office.