School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)

Supports that help young people build skills for work in the first years after school.

What it means

School Leaver Employment Supports, usually shortened to SLES, are NDIS-funded capacity-building supports for young people with disability who have recently finished school. Their purpose is to help a young person build the skills, confidence and independence they need to move towards work in the first couple of years after leaving school.

SLES sits under capacity building because it is about developing skills over time rather than just providing a service. It recognises that the move from school to employment can be a big step, and that some young people benefit from focused, individualised support to make that transition successfully. The aim is to open up real options for the future, including open or supported employment.

In practice

In practice, SLES can include a range of activities tailored to the young person. This might involve work experience, help learning to travel independently, and building practical skills for the workplace such as communication, teamwork and time management. It can also include working on confidence, problem solving and understanding workplace expectations.

SLES is best thought of as a stepping stone rather than a job in itself. It usually runs for a couple of years and is designed to prepare a young person for the next stage, whether that is further training, open employment or a supported role. If you think SLES might suit your child or the young person you support, it can help to talk with the school, a local area coordinator or planner about goals and how these supports could be included in a plan.

A real example

For example, Liam finished school last year and wants to work in a warehouse one day. Through SLES, he takes part in work experience at a local business, learns to catch the bus to and from the site on his own, and practises workplace skills like following instructions and working in a team. Over time he builds the confidence to look for a paid job.

School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) — FAQs

Who is SLES for?
SLES is for young people with disability who have recently finished school and want to work towards employment. It is aimed at those in the first couple of years after leaving school who need extra support to build work-related skills and confidence. If employment is one of your goals, SLES can be discussed as part of your NDIS plan.
What kinds of activities does SLES include?
SLES can include work experience, travel training to help you get to and from work independently, and building practical skills for the workplace such as communication, teamwork and time management. Activities are tailored to the young person's goals. The focus is on developing the skills and confidence needed to move towards open or supported employment.
How long does SLES usually last?
SLES is generally designed to run for around the first couple of years after a young person leaves school. It is meant to be a transitional support, helping bridge the gap between school and work. The exact length depends on the young person's goals and progress, which are reviewed as part of the usual NDIS planning process.
Is SLES the same as having a job?
No. SLES is a stepping stone towards employment, not a job in itself. It focuses on building the skills, confidence and independence a young person needs before or while looking for work. The goal is to prepare them for the next step, which might be further training, open employment or a supported employment role.
How do I get SLES included in a plan?
Talk with the young person's school, a local area coordinator or a planner about their employment goals. SLES is a capacity-building support, so it helps to show how it links to working towards employment. Raising it clearly during planning, along with the young person's aspirations, helps the NDIS consider whether SLES is a reasonable and necessary support to include.

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