Phase
1(2006) Research Pilot: Completed successfully.
Phase 2 (2007): Full
launch and roll out, building improvements from lessons learnt
from the Phase 1 Research Pilot - and looking to investigate
possible training accreditation for Clients. Completed successfully.
Phase
3 (2008): Nationally-recognised Accreditation and Vocational
Training: It has been reported across the UK that disabled
young people are frequently being told that they can not do
work experience like their peers ‘due to health and safety'.
This is alarming for many reasons, not least that it gives
these young people the message that they will never be able
to operate in the work place. This is setting up disabled
young people for failure and could be seen as discrimination
under the Disability Discrimination Act. PASTEL will pursue
avenues of work experience with a positive outlook and a belief
in these people and their potential in the community. PASTEL
will investigate training for other disadvantaged groups,
using both the performing arts model as well as vocational
training eg food hygiene/preparation.
Phase
4(2009+): "Mini College": In the longer term , PASTEL will
look to access facilities to run an additional "all day" mid-week
operation - in addition to the Saturday morning activities
- in order to better cater for the 25+ adults who have left
school or college and other disadvantaged groups.
All
the work is designed to be extra to, and complement, the school/college
curriculum.
PASTEL
puts its clients at the centre of identifying, planning, delivering
and evaluating training programmes so that they make a lasting
difference to them and their communities. Their community
may mean people living or working in a particular area and/or
people who share common disadvantages (such as disability
or unemployment).
In
all this planning and client research, PASTEL will employ
the "PASTEL Client Panel", which will involve all
the clients.
The
PASTEL Panel will offer both PASTEL and its clients many additional
benefits, including ensuring clients with an even stronger
voice to influence PASTEL plans and activities and provide
the PASTEL management committee with valuable research input
- to strengthen the provision of client-centred services.
It
will also help the clients in developing their life skills,
learning about “citizenship” and work towards their PASTEL
service outcomes - speaking and listening skills, leadership,
teamwork, emotional literacy, problem-solving, reasoning skills,
self-esteem and confidence.
Gradually
clients should develop a growing feeling of teamwork where
clients, management committee members, tutors and teachers
work in partnership towards shared goals. The PASTEL Panel
will promote an inclusive and caring team, where all clients
feel valued and a vital part of the discussions and the decision-making
process. Once firmly established clients will be introduced
to the principles of democracy and voting for key roles on
the PASTEL Panel e.g. Chairing, with the appropriate training
and support from the rest of the team, including peer support.
