A Time for transition
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES)
SCHOOL LEAVER Employment Supports
SLES programs of support under Finding and Keeping a Job (Capacity Building)
When it comes to supporting young adults after school, a referral to DARE Academy for School Leaver Employment Supports (DARE Academy SLES) reflects a strong sense of trust.
If DARE Academy has been recommended to you, this page is a great place to begin exploring the supports available. Here, you will find information about how we work, who benefits most from our program, and how we build work readiness in ways that are practical, structured and genuinely inclusive.
Welcome to DARE Academy’s SLES program.
ABOUT DARE Academy SLES
Making the Transition From School to Work
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) sits within the Finding and Keeping a Job support category under NDIS Capacity Building. These supports are designed to help young people who have recently finished school build the skills and confidence needed to access employment.
SLES may be available if you:
- are a young person living with disability who has an NDIS plan
- are aged between 16 and 22
- are in your final year of school or have left school within the past two years.
To access SLES, your NDIS plan must include funding in the Finding and Keeping a Job support category.
You can also refer to the Where to from here table for guidance on your next steps and how we can support you.
Skills Confidence Direction
The DARE Academy SLES framework
Flexible, person-centred and built for you
YEAR ONE
Phase 1:
Personal Capacity Building
Participants begin by developing a understanding of their identity, strengths, interests, and support needs in relation to employment and NDIS goals.
Phase 2:
Foundational Skill Development
Participants develop core functional skills that support participation in everyday life, contributing to workplace readiness and independence.
Phase 3:
Work Exploration
Participants explore different types of work and workplace environments through structured learning and practical experiences such as supported work experience or participation in small business and entrepreneurial projects.
YEAR TWO
Phase 1:
Reflect, Regroup, Renew
Participants review their learning, experiences, and skill development from the previous year to better understand their emerging employment preferences and strengths.
Phase 2:
Competent and Confident
Participants continue to strengthen and apply their skills across personal, social, and workplace contexts. Activities focus on increasing confidence, independence, and capacity.
Phase 3:
Employment Pathways
Participants focus on employment areas that align with their interests and strengths, exploring new opportunities to support their transition toward employment or further vocational pathways.
SLES funding is generally available for up to two years. To align with this timeframe, DARE Academy’s SLES is delivered in two 12-month cycles.
Our framework is designed to be flexible. The length of time spent in each phase can increase or decrease depending on individual needs, goals and opportunities.
Benefits of DARE Academy SLES program of support
DARE Academy’s SLES prepares young people for life after school through structured support and practical experiences. Through this approach, participants build confidence, independence and a meaningful sense of direction beyond school.
All DARE Academy programs are strengths-based, neuro-affirming and grounded in a growth mindset. This approach supports participants to experience:
A structured and personalised pathway to employment
Participants are supported through a clear, staged framework that builds confidence, independence and work readiness over time. Supports are tailored to individual strengths, goals and support needs.
Practical experiences that build practical skills and confidence
Participants develop workplace skills through meaningful experiences such as small group programs, supported work experience and participation in micro-enterprise or community-based activities.
An inclusive and strengths-based environment
Our program is designed to support young people to understand themselves, explore possibilities and build a positive sense of direction for their future, with guidance from experienced and supportive staff.
Next Steps
Where to from here?
| NDIS | SLES | Your Next Step | How Can We Help |
|---|---|---|---|
| × | × | If you do not currently have an NDIS plan, the first step is to contact the NDIA or a Local Area Coordinator to explore eligibility and begin the access process. | Our team can provide general information about SLES and how employment supports may form part of your future goals. |
| × | ✓ | If you already have an NDIS plan but do not have SLES funding, you can speak with your Support Coordinator, LAC, or NDIA planner about whether employment supports align with your goals. | We can help you understand how our program works so you can make an informed request at your next plan review. |
| ✓ | ✓ | If you have SLES funding in your plan, you can contact DARE Academy to discuss program options and next steps. | Together we will explore your goals and determine how our supports can help you build skills, confidence, and pathways toward employment. |
The Initial Meet & Greet
After you get in touch, we will arrange a time to talk with you about your goals, interests and support needs. This Meet & Greet helps us understand how the DARE Academy SLES can best support you.
You will also have the opportunity to visit, meet our team and experience the environment before deciding whether you would like to get started.
What to expect at your Meet & Greet:
- Information about DARE Academy, our SLES program of support and other supports you can access at DARE Disability Support
- The contact details of the people at DARE who will continue to support your onboarding with DARE
- Information and take-home packs
- Motivation and readiness to begin your post school journey
Ready to take the next step?
There’s more than one way to be ready. To find out more about how DARE Academy SLES can work with you to find your ‘ready’ contact Kathleen McCarthy.
- Phone 02 4751 5266
- Email Kathleen McCarthy
Or fill in this form and we will back to you.
FAQS
DARE Academy SLES
We know the transition from school can feel overwhelming. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we’re asked about our SLES program.
What is SLES?
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) is a support funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It is designed to help you prepare for meaningful employment after leaving school by building your skills, independence and confidence.
SLES supports help you develop the skills that are the foundations you will need to connect with employers now and into the future, while also strengthening your capacity to participate in work and live more independently.
Am I eligible for SLES funding?
School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) may be available if you:
· are a young person living with disability who has an NDIS plan
· are aged between 16 and 22
· are in your final year of school or have left school within the past two years.
To access SLES, your NDIS plan must include funding in the Finding and Keeping a Job support category.
You can also refer to the Where to from here table for guidance on your next steps and how we can support you.
How much funding could I get for SLES under the NDIS?
How long is SLES funding provided for?
SLES funding is usually provided for 12 to 24 months. The length of support will depend on your individual goals, progress and the level of assistance you need.
This flexible timeframe helps ensure you have the skills, confidence and experience needed before moving into open employment or transitioning to other employment supports, such as Individual Employment Assistance (IEA).
I don’t have SLES funding. What can I do?
Where is DARE Academy based?
What does SLES look like at DARE Academy?
The DARE Academy SLES is delivered through a structured and personalised program of support designed to help you prepare for employment.
This may include one-to-one support to build personal capacity, short programs to develop your skills and explore your interests, and opportunities to gain insight into different work options.
Your SLES supports are tailored to you, your goals, strengths and aspirations.
What skills can I learn through DARE Academy SLES?
Does DARE Academy SLES guarantee employment?
I have SLES funding. What are my next steps?
If you already have SLES funding in your NDIS plan, the next step is to connect with us to discuss how we can support you.
You can visit our Contact Us page to get in touch and arrange a conversation. You can also refer to the Where to from here table for guidance on your next steps and how we can support you.
What will happen after I contact you?
After you get in touch, we will arrange a time to talk with you about your goals, interests and support needs. This Meet & Greet helps us understand how DARE Academy SLES can best support you.
You will also have the opportunity to visit, meet our team and experience the environment before making any decisions about getting started.