At School 5-18

Support for Students with Disabilities While Still At School

Students with disabilities receive support for their career planning through school programs such as Managed Individual Pathways (MIPs). They also benefit from additional supports, including undertaking workplace learning activities supported through their school. Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) also assist students with disabilities plan for their future careers through brokering partnerships and programs with local employers.

Additional assistance to help students with disabilities find support, include:

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Managed Individual Pathways

Through the Managed Individual Pathways (MIPs) program, all students 15 years and over in government schools are provided with individual pathway plans and associated career development support.

MIPs aims to help young people to:

  • make a smooth transition from compulsory schooling to further education, training and employment
  • develop skills to manage their pathways throughout their education and working lives
  • develop their knowledge, understanding and experience of opportunities in education, training and employment.

Many schools integrate the MIPs planning process with other aspects of student planning and wellbeing support, so different schools may have different names for their MIPs planning processes.

Pathway planning can help students find out what they want to do and work out a plan to make it happen. Discussions about planning for life after school can start through the Student Support Group.

If you would like to discuss the MIPs planning process, or would like further advice on your child's career planning including their post school options, contact the MIPs or careers coordinator at your school.

For more information see: 

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Consider the additional supports required

Some students may need to consider the additional support they will require in order to pursue their chosen career or pathway plan. They may need additional training such as independence skills or travel training, or they may require additional support to access the curriculum in a TAFE or University setting. Early career planning will ensure that these additional needs are considered prior to the student completing their schooling.

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Introduction to the workplace and further education

Most students gain some experience of the workplace through completing work experience. Students with a disability may benefit from doing a range of activities in addition to this to increase the success of their transition to work or further education. Some examples of the things they could do include:

  • Workplace visits
  • Contact with employment agencies
  • Visits to post school options such community programs, leisure centres, supported employment workplaces
  • Part time work
  • TAFE Tasters
  • Voluntary work.

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Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs)

Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) bring together employers, education and training providers, community organisations, government agencies and individuals to work together to improve education, training and employment outcomes for young people. LLENs focus on 15 - 19 year olds, especially those at risk of making poor transitions from compulsory schooling to the next stage of their lives and careers.

There are 31 LLENs in Victoria, covering all areas of the state. LLENs use knowledge of local opportunities and needs, along with their wide-ranging network of members, to facilitate development of new programs or support services to help young people in their areas.

LLENs identify and communicate emerging issues faced by young people around post compulsory education, training or employment and provide feedback on the implementation of new policies or programs.

Some LLENs have brokered partnerships and programs targeted at supporting young people with disabilities.

For more information, see: LLENs and Other Networks