Post School Programs

The NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) provides funds to non-government organisations across NSW to deliver the Transition to Work and Community Participation programs. These two programs aim to assist young people with a disability to develop the skills they need to increase their independence and participate as valued and active members of the community.

Information about these programs is provided below. If you would like any further information, please contact the Post School Programs Information Line on 1800 761 030.

The Equipment and Modifications Fund was established to assist people to participate in the programs. The fund helps to remove some of the physical barriers to participation by contributing to the cost of assistive equipment and technology or building modifications.

Community Participation program

The Community Participation program aims to assist young people with a disability to develop the skills they need to work towards their goals, increase their independence and participate as valued and active members in the community.

The program is targeted to young people with a disability with moderate to high support needs who require an alternative to paid employment or further education in the medium or longer term.

There are Community Participation Program Guidelines that set out the policy and operational requirements of the program. Further information is available about the program.

In 2008 DADHC undertook a satisfaction survey of young people in the Community Participation program. This summary description highlights the main outcomes from the Community Participation Monitoring - Measuring Service User Satisfaction report; a part of the monitoring and evaluation process for the Community Participation program.

Transition to Work program

Transition to Work is a time-limited program which aims to support and improve employment outcomes for school leavers who can transition to work within one or two years. The program assists school leavers with a disability to develop skills that will help them move into employment, vocational education and training or higher education.

There are Transition to Work Program Guidelines which set out the policy and operating requirements of the program. Further information is available about the program.

Since the program commenced in 2005, the Transition to Work program has enabled more than 600 young people to either move into employment or to enter further education, by enabling them to develop the skills and abilities required in the workplace and in further education.

In August 2008, Transition to Work service providers were asked to report on Outcomes in Transition to Work for the 2005 school leavers who were in their service. The results will assist young people in their choice of the Transition to Work service provider that best meets their needs.

2009 School Leavers

Eligibility Assessment for school leavers

The 2009 Post School Programs Eligibility Assessment determines the eligibility of school leavers for the Transition to Work or Community Participation programs, and a funding band if the school leaver is eligible for Community Participation. Assessments shall be conducted by teachers in May and June 2009. Information on the assessment process is available. Translations of this document are also available.

Before an assessment is conducted, assessors must obtain the written consent of the school leaver or their parent or guardian using the 2009 Post School Programs Consent Form. Translations are now available.

2009 school leavers will receive notification of the outcome of their assessment in September 2009.

Eligibility Assessment - information for service providers

2009 Eligibility Assessment - information for service providers

Community Participation information books - Choosing a Service Provider

These information books have been developed for each region to tell young people and families about different Community Participation service providers and to help them choose a service provider to meet their needs.

In each book the providers are listed alphabetically by Local Government Area.  Several of these services operate in a number of Local Government Areas.

Young people who are in the Community Participation Program need to choose an approved service provider and fill in a registration form.

Update on the Community Participation Self Managed Model for 2009 School Leavers - October 2009

Update on the Community Participation Self Managed Model for 2009 School Leavers - November 2009

Transition to Work information books - Choosing a Service Provider

These information books have been developed for each region to tell young people and families about different Transition to Work service providers and to help them choose a service provider to meet their needs.

In each book the providers are listed alphabetically by Local Government Area.  Several of these services operate in a number of Local Government Areas.

Young people who are in the Transition to Work program need to choose and fill in a registration form with an approved service provider.

Post  School Programs appeals process

There is an appeals process available for those school leavers and their families who are not satisfied with their assessment outcome.

Person Centred Approaches in the Community Participation Program

A literature review and a guide have been developed by a consortium lead by the Australian Catholic University. The aim of these documents is to strengthen the capacity of Community Participation service providers to implement person centred approaches within their services.

Exploring and Implementing Person Centred Approaches (PDF version)
Exploring and Implementing Person Centred Approaches (Accessible version)
Person Centred Planning: a review of the literature