Wirral event helps disabled students plan for the future (From Wirral Globe)

Wirral event helps disabled students plan for the future

10:27am Friday 26th October 2012 in News By Craig Manning

YOUNG Wirral people with disabilities and learning difficulties attended a special event to help them plan for their future.

Taking place at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton "Your Future Your Choice" gave students from special and mainstream schools advice on further education, training, employment, health, housing, adult services, and benefits.

Councillor Tony Smith, Wirral's cabinet member for children’s services, said it was crucial young people with learning difficulties and disabilities were made aware of the many opportunities available to them.

"There are many opportunities available to our local young people with learning difficulties and disabilities and ‘Your Future Your Choice’ aimed to bring all that information together under one roof so young people, carers and parents can make the right choices," he said.

Young people with learning difficulties and disabilities are twice as likely to drop out of education or become unemployed after school.

"In Wirral a lot of work is being undertaken to reduce the number of young people who leave school and then do not engage in any planned progression route, employment or training.

"This issue is even more acute among those with special educational needs, learning difficulties or other disabilities," he added.

Now in its fifth year, the free one-day event was organised by a partnership consisting of Wirral Council, Connexions and NHS Wirral.