Destinations

What’s Destinations?

‘You have an adult relationship with tutors, you call them by their first name and you get to know them as people.’

‘The tutors are really good – they’re there for you. It’s not like school, they listen to you – they say their bit and you say yours.’

Rathbone talks to you about what you want to do. We’ll help you make the right choices for you. And we’ll help you get the qualifications – and experience - for where you want to go.

You might have heard about foundation learning – Destinations is our name for foundation learning.

Can I apply?

You can join if you’re 16 to 18 and you’re not in education, employment or training already.

What do I get from Destinations?

You get a personal plan with agreed targets to help you progress. The plan helps you move from Destinations to your next stage, whether that’s further education, work based training like an Apprenticeship or employment.

You’ll get support with personal issues and life skills, such as setting up a bank account
Increased self-confidence to help you move forward
You get help with filling in application forms and making a CV or practice interviews so you can move on to a job, training or college
You’ll get help with using numbers, communications and ICT - you’ll get the sorts of skills that employers are looking for
You’ll learn many of the things that help you in the workplace or college – like team work, communications and problem solving
We’ll find the work placements that are right for you. Young people tell us that getting work experience is what they need. Employers tell us they want to take on young people who’ve got work experience
You get the opportunity to get the qualifications that employers / college want
Rathbone centres are small, friendly and supportive so you can make new friends and join new social groups
It’s personal! Rathbone’s training is tailored to the different needs of young people from a wide variety of backgrounds

Do I get paid?

‘The team work was really good for me – I didn’t think I’d like it but I did. We do a project together every week, it was a laugh and made me more confident.’

‘It’s a different environment with different people – not like school.’

‘Everything was presented in a less confusing way – it really helped me.’

You may be able to get £30* a week EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance) - It depends on your family income. *This amount is correct as of 31 July 2010.

Can I get travel expenses?

Yes. You can claim public transport costs to your Rathbone centre or work placement – whether you get EMA or not. *This information is correct as of July 2010.

Do I have to qualifications before I join Rathbone?

No. But we’ll support you to get some! Qualifications are what employers and colleges are looking for – and we’ll help you to achieve the right ones for you and where you want to go.

We know that everyone is different so we’ll find the way to teach you – at a speed that suits you.

How long does Destinations last?

The course lasts about 24 weeks. It could be for longer - it depends if you need more support from us.

How many hours a week do I need to do?

You’ll be in a Rathbone centre from 9.00am to 4.00pm for up to three days a week. The rest of the time you’ll be at a work placement where you’ll learn about different jobs. On a work placement, you get the practical work experience that employers want.

Actual timings will be different at different centres. Rathbone will talk to you about your timetable when you join your centre.

Destinations has added extras

‘The booklets were specially made for you – not like a text book.’

‘For me, there was lots of work with computers which I love. I work with ear phones on – at my pace. It wasn’t like a classroom. I didn’t get embarrassed at the speed I was working. I knew I could get help where I needed it and work at my pace.’

We develop a plan for every young person who joins us. We’ll encourage you to take part in things like volunteering, youth forum, sports and leisure, arts and drama. These ‘extras’ help you build a CV, develop new skills and self-confidence.

Tell me more about qualifications

Everyone’s different so the qualifications you can get will depend on where you want to go. We’ll advise you on the right qualifications to get.

We’ll make a plan with you and you’ll achieve qualifications along the way like:

City and Guilds:

Functional Skills in Mathematics, English and ICT (Entry to Level 2)
A wide range of level 1 vocational subjects: Business Administration, Childcare, Construction, Customer Care, Health and Social Care, Motor Vehicle, Media, IT, Retail
Employability and Personal Development (Award/certificate)

OCN:

NOCN Progression Award/certificate

ASDAN:

Community Award

Chartered Institute of Environmental Health:

Food Hygiene
Health and Safety
First Aid

Other work qualifications are available, depending on what’s at a particular Rathbone centre.

Who are Rathbone?

Rathbone is a charity – we work with 1000s of young people all over Britain every year. We’re learning experts – we know that young people learn in different ways, we’ll find the right way for you. We make centres small and friendly.

We’ll help you with learning, work and personal issues. People tell us that the support we give them with life skills like filling in forms or getting a bank account is one of the best things about Rathbone.