Out of School Education Service
Who are we?
The Out of School Education Service works with other providers to cater for the educational needs of young people who are at risk of leaving school early and/or have already left school (Pre-16) and those who are entering adulthood without any formal education beyond Primary/Junior Certificate having been out of the system for some time (Post-16). The Service is based in the Education Support Services Centre in Mulgrave St, Dún Laoghaire.
Programmes delivered include part-time programmes covering a range of different topics both accredited (FETAC) and non-accredited as well as literacy and numeracy support. Partnership and interagency work are integral to the Service and a number of programmes are run in partnership with other agencies/schools. These comprise of Pre-16 initiatives and Post-16 initiatives.
Pre-16 Initiatives
The Alternative Learning Pathways Project
The Alternative Learning Pathways Project is an educational programme catering for young people aged 15 years and over, who are out of school or at risk of being out of school. The project delivers a part time junior certificate programme and is delivered under the Back to Education Initiative. The programme supports young people by trying to meet their educational, social and personal needs.
Post-16 Initiatives
The LIFE Programme (BTEI)
The LIFE (Leading into Further Education) programme offers progression opportunities for learners with intellectual disabilities moving from second level education. The focus of the programme is to develop a model whereby learners with intellectual disabilities in mainstream second level education are supported in transition to further mainstream educational, vocational and self-directed yet supported lifestyle options. The LIFE Programme is delivered in conjunction with the HSE, St John of God, Carmona Services and STEP Enterprises.
Participants are offered the opportunity to achieve FETAC accreditation across a range of modules from Levels 2 to 4 in a range of subject areas.
New FETAC Level 4 Programme (BTEI)
This programme is aimed at 16 to 21 year olds who have left school without a Leaving Certificate. It is delivered on a part-time basis over two evenings per week in the Dún Laoghaire Community Training Centre (FÁS).
Participants are provided with the opportunity to achieve a full FETAC Award at Level 4 over a two year period. The programme covers the core modules: Communications, Maths, IT Skills and Personal Effectiveness/Personal & Interpersonal Skills. Elective modules are selected based on the needs and interests of the group.
The Next Step Programme
Next Step is run as a part-time programme in co-operation with the Youth Choices Project based in Dún Laoghaire Community Training Centre (FÁS). It is designed to cater for young people who are not engaged in any education/training and who may have been out of the education system for some time. One of the key aims of the programme is to give young people the skills and confidence needed to return to full-time education/training.
This programme is delivered over two afternoons per week. The content of the programme is flexible to suit the needs of participants. It covers areas such as Communications, Literacy, Personal Effectiveness and Computers. Participants have the opportunity to achieve FETAC accreditation at Levels 3 and 4.
The Stepping Forward Programme
This programme is delivered in partnership with Setanta Special School for young people on the Autistic Spectrum. This programme aims to support the core curriculum in Setanta School and to identify best practice indicators for future work with adolescents in Setanta School.
Participants are provided with the opportunity to achieve the FETAC Level 1/2 Certificate in General Learning which incorporates a broad range of FETAC Components.
The Young Mothers Programme (BTEI)
The Young Mothers Programme is run in partnership with Dún Laoghaire Community Training Centre (FÁS). It is aimed at young mothers who have left school early. It is delivered on a part-time basis over five mornings per week.
Participants are provided with the opportunity to achieve a full FETAC Award at Levels 3/4 over a two year period. The programme covers the core modules: Communications, Maths, IT Skills and Personal Effectiveness/ Personal & Interpersonal Skills. Elective modules are selected based on the needs and interests of the group.
National Rehabilitation Hospital
Dún Laoghaire VEC delivers a programme in The National Rehabilitation Hospital School. The aim of the programme is to support the learners in their overall treatment plan. The content of the programme is flexible to suit the needs of the learners. Modules delivered to-date include Arts & Crafts, Drama and I.T.