Helping school leavers plan their next step, whatever the future holds

LifeSkills has developed a suite of school leaver resources, designed to help young people find a good way forward, whatever the future holds. They offer students practical ways to work towards their next steps, whether that’s career goals or further/higher education.

There are three resource packs to download:

1. Planning pathways: practical ways to prepare for the transition into further education, training or employment
2. CVs and job applications: support demonstrating their skills and experience through CVs, applications, cover letters and interviews
3. Becoming more financially independent: techniques for feeling more confident and prepared as they move into work, university or training around money and self-management

Each resource pack includes a selection of activity steps, worksheets and signposting to tools and online content which young people can use in their own time. They have been designed flexibly and can be delivered as:

• Shorter activities for the start of subject lessons or form time
• Longer activities to build aspirations and confidence
• A series of sessions with a targeted group to support those most in need with this transition period
• Signposting to encourage students to learn independently

Please note that students below the age of 14 cannot sign up for their own LifeSkills account. This suite contains optional independent tasks that link to the potential use of resources on the LifeSkills website.

Supporting young people’s wellbeing and mental health

Your students may be looking for support and advice in relation to their mental health and wellbeing. The following websites can be visited and shared for those in need:

• Mind: provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem - mind.org.uk
• Mental Health Foundation: provides information, guidance and resources on all aspects of managing mental health at home, at school and in the workplace - mentalhealth.org.uk
• Time to Change: campaign changing the way people think and act about mental health problems - time-to-change.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness: a charity that improves the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through local groups and services, expert information and training and successful campaigning - rethink.org
• NHS: public advice on looking after your mental health and that of others - nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters
• Action for Happiness: focuses particularly on wellbeing and how to lead a happier life. Its Ten Keys to Happier Living is also available as an app -actionforhappiness.org
• Mental Health in Further Education: provides a network for those interested in adult education and mental health - mhfe.org.uk/
• Samaritans: If you’re going through a tough time, you can talk to Samaritans free – day or night, 365 days a year - samaritans.org

You can also use the LifeSkills toolkit which helps to teach practical techniques around managing wellbeing, signposted in the section below.