Abstract
The OPT Youthstart project (Options for Progression in Transition) was set up in 1998 to ensure special school leavers can make an informed choice about their own future.
The 'Bridge' pilot project which preceded OPT - and the new Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs - identified the need for all interested parties to contribute towards each child's transitional planning process.
OPT is effectively a blueprint for good professional practice in Northern Ireland. In addition to the established relationships between teacher, pupil and parent, other agencies such as the Careers Service and Mencap's Pathway Employment Service have become directly involved in enabling 1619 year olds with severe learning difficulties to make informed choices. Importantly, too, the statutory, voluntary and private sectors have come together as a province-wide-partnership to agree common policy and practice.
As well as attending regular project steering meetings, partners are involved in various focus groups and joint training exercises. By the end of the project, in June 2000, we will have developed and disseminated and interactive CD ROM to assist careers guidance to young people with SLD, and a systems manual to facilitate the inter-agency work in transitional planning. Both of these will have been developed through professional collaboration and will, alongside other activities, establish much better policies and working practices for the future.
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