Cara’s good life will continue after school Posted by Posted by Imogen Loakman on 4 March 2016 Posted on: 4 March 2016

Cara Melrose-Dimock is having a busy final year at Waitaha School.

She has had many opportunities to increase her work ready skills and
independence as she prepares to leave school.

Children sitting at the table working with Cara.

Cara has participated in a part-time work skills course at CPIT and has had
several work experience opportunities. She has also had ‘tasters’ to see what she may be interested in for next year.

Thanks to a team effort, Cara’s getting about-town skills have improved which are a fantastic confidence boost for her. The work experience she has secured at an Early Childhood Centre through a contact in EGL is set to continue in 2015.

Cara with her Metro Card.

The Transition Teacher at school, Jane Ballinger, has worked tirelessly to enable the best possible outcomes for Cara beyond school, meeting regularly with the Navigator to maximise options.

Cara will carry on building her work skills at CPIT next year as well as utilise two Providers to support her interests, work skill development and community engagement.

There are many openings in the suburb where Cara lives (in a supported flatting situation), to join in local events and groups, as was discovered by an EGL community scan. Cara’s post school horizons have broadened  thanks to school, EGL, family and Brackenridge all working together.

Story taken from Christchurch's Enabling Good Lives Newsletter | October – November 2014