This project is supported by the European Social Fund

Reaching the Heights-

Routes to the Summit

What is this project?

The project is aimed at young people 11-19, including those with additional learning needs and disabilities.    It aims to:-

• Help prevent young people from disengaging from education, employment or training.
• Support and address issues surrounding education, employment and training.
• Promote awareness of disability, discrimination and young people’s rights through an OCN accredited training programme run in schools and the community.
• Encourage young people’s participation in order to have their voice heard in the decision making process.
• Provide mentoring and advice to help raise the skills and aspirations of young people.

Who else is involved in the project?

The Reaching the Heights project is divided into two strands with 5 organisations involved in each.

1. First footholds

• Welsh Assembly Government
• The Arts Council Wales
• Children in Wales
• Funky Dragon
• The Participation Unit- Save the Children

2. Routes to the Summit

• Welsh Assembly Government
• Community Music Wales
• SNAP Cymru
• Techniquest
• Urdd Gobaith Cymru

What will SNAP Cymru be doing?

SNAP Cymru will be providing information, advice, support, advocacy, representation and access to training for young people, including those with additional learning needs and disabilities who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.

SNAP has outlined 3 main strands in the Routes to the Summit project:

• Strand 1- Prevention or Re-engagement
• Strand 2- Whole schools and Community Youth Volunteering
• Strand 3- Advocacy and Representation-CYP Views

Strand 1 –Prevention or Re-engagement

SNAP will be supporting:-

• Those experiencing exclusion
• Those at risk of exclusion or disengagement
• School refusers / Non attendance /poor attendance
• Children and Young people in PRU’s

All young people 11-19 are entitled to benefit from support and information from SNAP on transition, advocacy and training.

SNAP Cymru’s parent partnership service will accept referrals from parents, other agencies/organisations involved with Reaching the heights, schools, and other agencies with parental/ or the young persons agreement.

SNAP can also receive self-referrals from young people between 16-19 and provide support with further learning, employment, training and active citizenship. (I.e. volunteering)

Prevention strategies in schools will involve tracking and supporting young people in the transition to secondary education. This will also apply in year 10 and 11 as further monitoring and support is important to maintain effective contact and involvement with any additional matters or developments with further education, employment or training.

Strand 2 – Whole Schools and Community including Youth Volunteering

SNAP Cymru will:-

• Deliver RESPECT training in schools and the community to promote an awareness and understanding of Disability and equality.
• Deliver a ‘training the trainer’ programme to further expand access to RESPECT training.
• Support the initiation of assisted information points, and offer volunteering opportunities accessible within community and school settings.
• Encourage groups, networks and links that will support collaboration, consultation and information sharing amongst Young People.

Strand 3 – Advocacy and Representation-CYP Views

SNAP Cymru will:-

• Develop County and Regional strategies for delivering training, to include SEN/Disability, Advocacy, Exclusion and DDA.
• Engage with local Advocacy providers and agree working practices.
• Establish local agreements for signposting and referrals.
• Attend local and national meetings involving advocacy.
• Where required –provide advocacy support and representation for example at appeals, tribunals, admissions, disagreement resolution.
• Promote and collate CYP participation and views.

For futher information please contact Mary Jones 01792 457305
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