Transitioning from school to work

The Employment Handbook resource supports people with cerebral palsy (CP), their families, networks, and employers in understanding inclusive employment. Developed by Cerebral Palsy Australia and CPSN for My CP Guide, it features insights from 20 adults with CP, part of CPSN’s lived-experience group, The Tribe. Contributors shared personal stories, challenges, and practical advice to improve workplace accessibility. With support from the CPSN Futures Fund, the research aims to identify barriers and inform CP-specific employer training. It highlights the right of people with CP to meaningful work and the importance of early support in building confidence and skills for long-term employment success. Below is an excerpt from the handbook. Download the full resource here.

For young people with CP, one of the most important parts of transitioning to

adulthood is making sure they have access to resources and support, which can

provide information on higher education, job and vocational training, and employment

opportunities. They also need to feel supported and feel confident to talk with family,

friends and other trusted relationships, to help make decisions.

During the final years of high school, there may be conversations with school teachers, careers

counsellors and support services about options and opportunities beyond school. This road ahead may be filled with excitement, fear, nervousness or concern.

There are programs and support available to manage the transition from school into employment. These can include:

• School leaver employment supports (SLES) funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which helps build a person’s ability and confidence to enter the workforce

• Engagement with a Disability Employment Service (DES), which is the Australian Government’s employment service that helps people with disability find work and keep a job

• Supported employment services, which are known as Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs). ADEs are generally not-for-profit organisations that provide supported employment opportunities. They employ people with disability with high support needs across Australia

• Workshops, expos and programs run by community services organisations

• Supported work experience and volunteering opportunities.

  
  

  Building employment skills, experience and confidence will mean that young people with CP:

  
  

• Understand the nature of work and can choose a post-school pathway to employment that suits them

• Are more likely to successfully transition from school to work

• Can benefit from the financial, social and community inclusion

  aspects of work.

Establishing early foundations

Family and support networks, as well as role models with CP, play a significant role in building confidence for young people with CP who are stepping into the workforce.

One of the best ways to support people with CP in their childhood and teenage years is by establishing foundations for developing confidence and independence in life—and it’s

never too early to start planning for the future.

Members of the CP community say that positive and proactive family support makes

a huge difference to setting and achieving employment goals.

Building confidence and independence will be different for every child, depending on

their strengths in different areas.

‘I think my mum set me up for success, and she did it from a young age. Success doesn’t automatically happen in adulthood. It’s right from the start.’- An adult with CP

Some ideas to help children build confidence and independent

skills include:

• Encouraging them to participate in social activities, such as sporting

  teams, clubs and other group activities. These experiences can help them

• build important social skills that will be valuable in the workplace

• Encouraging them to participate in vocational training, work experience

  programs, volunteering and internships. These experiences can

  help them build work-related skills and gain practical experience in

  real-world settings

• Encouraging them to set goals and work towards achieving them.

• Celebrate their successes, big and small, and help them learn from

  their mistakes

• Looking for casual employment opportunities for teenagers

• Encouraging them to have a positive attitude. This quality will be valued by

  employers and will help with success in the workplace.

Working with teachers

Collaboration between parents, teachers and schools is essential in supporting

children with CP to build the necessary skills to transition to the workforce after

they finish school.

Parents can work with teachers and schools to support their child’s

transition into the workforce by:

• Communicating regularly with teachers so they understand the child’s strengths and challenges, and to help parents understand how the school is supporting their child’s development

• Working with teachers to develop an individual plan that outlines a child’s strengths and goals. This can help guide the child’s education and ensure they are receiving the support they need to build the skills required for entering the workforce

• Requesting that the necessary support is put in place to enhance a child’s learning and development, such as accessible classrooms, modified assignments and extra support from a teacher’s aide.

Parents can also ask schools about:

• Vocational training – which may include work experience programs or vocational courses that teach specific skills relevant to a child’s career goals

• Social skills development – which may include school clubs or activities to enhance social skills development as part of a child’s education

• Career counselling – which can help a child explore career options and identify their strengths and interests. This can also help them develop a clearer understanding of their career goals and the skills they need to achieve them.

For my job, actually, my school helped me because when I was at school, I had work experience where I work now, and now I work four days a week part-time.’- An adult with CP

Seeking support

The transition from school to work can be challenging for any student, but it can

be particularly difficult for students with disability. Support is available to help

individuals with CP and their families to progress the employment journey. Many

schools, disability organisations and service providers, and community services

run workshops, expos and skills development training.

Tertiary education

Deciding to do further studies after high school can set someone on their career

pathway by giving them new skills and qualifications to improve the chances of

getting a job.

Tertiary education can also help someone to build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and make new connections and professional networks. Having CP might mean a student requires extra support to complete their studies. With the right support in place, tertiary study can be exciting, rewarding, and career-defining. Many tertiary institutions have:

• A student wellbeing team

• Learner advisors

• Inclusion advisors

Tertiary education providers may be able to provide assistance to support a person’s full inclusion in their studies, such as:

• Practical assistance to support them with tasks

• Alternative examinations or test arrangements

• Transport between campus venues

• Disability parking permits

• A recharge or storage station for mobility equipment

• Accessible formatting of course reading materials

• Extensions to assignments

• Flexibility in attendance requirements

• Accessible teaching spaces and ergonomic furniture

For more practical information on starting tertiary education, visit the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training at: https://www.adcet.edu.au/students-with-disability.

'The education system, especially after leaving secondary school, is very often unequipped or unwilling to cater for students living with disability, and the problem is not with academic ability or motivation to succeed, but rather with accessing reasonable adjustments and having access needs met.’

Browse other chapters of the employment handbook resource: 

1. Challenges of employment for people with CP  

2. Transition from school to work  

3. Tips for job seekers: # 1 Where to start  (Coming soon)

4. Tips for job seekers: #2. Applying for work  (Coming soon)

5. For employers: Hiring a person with CP  (Coming soon)

The Employment Handbook was developed by Cerebral Palsy Australia and CPSN for My CP Guide. Download the full resource here.