Replay Finding Work - Getting Started in Years 11 & 12

School to Work – Introductory Webinars for secondary school students with a disability and their families.

This webinar will provide you with an introduction to this new initiative to assist your secondary school student and your family on the path to creating a positive vision for the future, a vision that includes work.   As your child progresses through different stages of their schooling and life, we will return to your vision statement through-out the webinars and workshops. This webinar will also focus on planning for work, developing positive mindsets and focusing on your student’s strengths.  We will discuss possible barriers you may encounter on the school to work pathway, and how to handle these.  We will also be highlighting the importance of involving your student in decision making through-out the school to work journey.

We will discuss why having high expectations for work is important, and share stories and examples to assist you to be able ‘think outside the box’ in order to find or create work opportunities.

This webinar will explore ideas for work experience, including utilising your networks.  

The webinar will include a live introduction and Q&A.

This interactive webinar will cover:

• The importance of having a positive vision, including crafting a vision statement for employment
• Planning for work
• Developing positive mindsets – with a focus on the strengths and gifts your family member has to offer
• Navigating possible barriers on the school to work pathway
• The importance of the student voice – ways to involve your family member in discussions about work and the future.
• The importance of having high expectations
• A range of examples to assist you to be able ‘think outside the box’ in order to find or create work opportunities.
• Exploring ideas for work experience, including utilising your networks
• Investigating your student’s interests further to achieve work success.

Gina Barwell-Pickup started at CRU in August 2020 as a consultant in the ‘School to Work’ project. Since studying business at university, Gina has held a broad range of roles in a variety of industries including hotels, education and in State government and small business. Additional experience in recruitment will equip her well to assist students to get ready for work. Gina is passionate about the value of employment for people with disability and is currently supporting her own teenager on this journey.

Jen Mouritz joined CRU in July 2015 as part of the team working on the NDIS Participant readiness project. Since 2018 Jen has worked at CRU as a general consultant. Last year she was involved in the Families for Inclusive Education project. Jen’s introduction to this work started about 15 years ago. Since then she has worked directly with people with a disability and their families using self-directed approaches to support. This has included providing support for people in the workplace.  Jen has also worked as a teacher in mainstream and special school settings in learning support and as a secondary school art teacher.

This webinar is for secondary school students with disabilities and their families. Supporters and allies are also welcome to attend. This particular webinar has been designed for Years 11 & 12. Other webinars are being currently offered for Years 7 & 8 and Years 9 &10.

Using online platforms to hold events is still fairly new to CRU. We will be using the video meeting platform Zoom to host the webinar.

You will need access to:

• a computer or iPad/tablet or smart phone with internet access;
• speakers/sound

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your ability to participate.

For over 30 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community.

CRU (QLD), Resourcing Inclusive Communities, an initiative of Family Advocacy (NSW) and Imagine More (ACT) will work together on a new three year project called ‘School to Work’.

'School to Work’ aims to inspire, increase confidence and motivate students with disability to seek and find meaningful employment with the help and support of their family and community. 

The project is being provided as part of the Community Inclusion Capacity Development program through The Department of Social Services.