The needs and desires of the young person should be central to the whole process, and we ask schools to use a process called ‘person-centred planning’, to ensure that your child's individual views are listened to, and that their plan is based on what they like to do, their strengths and what is important to them - now and in the future.
Helping your child to start thinking about their future is an exciting process, but it can also seem confusing and worrying. Whatever you and your child are feeling, the most important thing to remember is that they should be at the centre of these discussions.
These are some questions you might like to discuss with your child. What do they enjoy - either at school or at home? Do they have any hobbies they enjoy?
Other potential questions include:
- Do they like being with people?
- Do they like working with animals?
- Do they prefer working outside or indoors?
- Are they creative/musical?
- Do they like working with their hands?
- Do they like order, details or numbers?
- Are they outgoing or do they like to keep to themselves?
- How do they like to learn?
- Do they want to stay near home or be independent?
- Do they want to discover new places and people?
- What kind of environment suits them – busy or quiet?
- Have they got any ideas about what sort of work they would like to do?
It might be helpful to involve the people who know your child well, such as teachers, family and friends, leisure activity leaders, etc. You can also ask for an interview to be arranged with the school’s professional careers adviser.
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