The Transition Program at Warrah Specialist School aims to equip students in Year 11 and 12 with the necessary skills, vocational training and life experiences to smoothly transition into adulthood, including employment. The program integrates work experience, life skills and wellbeing components, and is designed to assist each student to build personal growth, independence, and readiness for the challenges of life after school.
Why is it necessary and how did it start?
The program was developed in consultation with school parents, in response to their urgent need to have a strong plan and vision for their children upon graduation. Knowing the challenges that people with disabilities often face in gaining suitable employment, we knew that it was necessary to create a compelling, individualised program that would ensure our students had the best possible start to their transition to adulthood. “Our Transition Program aims to tackle the underemployment challenges faced by young people with intellectual disabilities, a group often underrepresented in the workforce. While we know we can’t solve this issue alone, we are committed to equipping each student with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed for success, whether in employment or in life generally. Our program seeks to help open doors, while recognising that each student’s path to independence is unique.” explains Warrah Specialist School Principal, Anna Wetzel.
What makes our transition program unique?
Students enter the two-year program once they reach year 11. It is a strength-based program, which ensures we lead from their abilities, not their disabilities. We knew the program must consider our students’ needs, abilities, challenges, interests and goals, and be designed specifically for our students, both individually and as a group. Each component of the two-year program has NESA compliant measurable outcomes.
Onsite work experience
At Warrah we have a unique opportunity as we are a school within a wider organisation that provides services to adults with disabilities. Our extensive bushland campus includes a biodynamic farm, organic farm shop, artisan bakery and café. All of which provide onsite work experience opportunities in a safe, familiar space for our students, which they undertake 3 days per week.
Offsite work placements
We work in partnership with organisations to provide offsite group work experience and individual placements for our students. This has the potential to open up opportunities for students beyond the program, by the school and families facilitating additional workplace opportunities off campus. For example, this year two of our upcoming graduates secured individual work placements – one at a childcare centre, and one at a café. Both have received very positive feedback, with the students and their families enthused, and feeling empowered to seek similar opportunities post school.
Life Skills learning
The Life Skills aspect is designed to enhance students’ ability to navigate daily challenges with greater independence. Through hands-on activities, students learn essential home-care tasks like cleaning, laundry, dishwashing, bed-making, vacuuming, and gardening. Café skills are developed through practical training in food preparation and customer service, helping students build confidence in interacting with both familiar and new people. Travel training empowers students to navigate public transportation safely and efficiently, opening up opportunities beyond their immediate surroundings. Additionally, grocery shopping lessons focus on budgeting, meal planning, and making healthy food choices, as well as managing personal finances and maintaining a balanced diet.
Variety of experiences and learning in context
One of our school parents articulated it well when she shared, “I am really thankful for the Warrah transition program. This time last year, I was terrified of our daughter leaving school. I had no idea what she would do after graduation or how she would cope outside the safe community of the school environment, where there is structure, familiar faces, and lots of support. This program has given her a variety of experiences both in and outside of school, and allowed her to step out of her comfort zone and try new things. It has also helped to clarify what she is interested in pursuing after school. “I love that the program provides learning with a purpose, not just learning for the sake of learning. In café skills, for instance, each new skill they learned was part of a bigger picture – create a menu, find recipes, determine ingredients, travel to the shop via public transport, learn money handling at the shops, and then come back to school to cook for their schoolmates. The learning is in context, and at the end of the day they have achieved something very practical and tangible which they can be proud of. “Practicing stepping away from school is so important in their senior years. My child has gained so much confidence in different environments. It’s exactly what she needed. I feel more confident now and have more options for her to continue her learning, and hopefully gain employment after school.”
Tackling employment barriers for people with disabilities
Employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities are limited, making this initiative a vital step towards improving their work readiness and long-term employability. It addresses the significant gaps in employment opportunities and skill development that many young Australians with disabilities face, helping them overcome barriers to meaningful employment. This program addresses the significant underemployment of young people with intellectual disabilities, a group that is often overlooked in the workforce. According to the 2024 Survey of Disability, Ageing, and Carers, only 48% of working-age people with disabilities are employed, compared to 80% of those without disabilities. Young people (aged 15-24) are more likely to be underemployed than those aged 25-64. By offering hands-on vocational training, the program gives participants a better chance of securing meaningful employment, promoting greater independence and reducing reliance on long-term social supports. We have more plans for the program in 2025, and will continue to build partnerships and seek greater opportunities for our students.
Enrol in our school
We currently have enrolment spaces for our high school and transition program. If you would like to find out more, please register for our next Open Day, or get in touch.
