School Leavers Employment Support (SLES) by Thorndale Foundation

Supporting young people with disability to step confidently into work.

Thorndale’s School Leavers Employment Support (SLES) program provides structured, NDIS-funded support for young people with disability as they transition from school into the workforce. Delivered from our Werrington site and across the Nepean area, the program focuses on building real workplace skills, confidence and independence.

We work with each participant to identify their goals, strengths and preferred work pathways, whether that’s supported employment, open employment or gaining experience before entering the workforce.

What SLES Helps You Achieve

Thorndale’s SLES program builds practical, personal and work-ready skills through a combination of hands-on training and real-world experiences. Participants receive support across:

Accredited Training Through Nepean Community College

Thorndale partners with Nepean Community College (NCC) to provide accredited training programs that strengthen job readiness.

This partnership gives school leavers the opportunity to gain recognised qualifications that contribute directly to future employment outcomes.

A Tailored Employment Pathway

Every young person learns differently. Thorndale’s team creates an individualised plan that focuses on:

• Building confidence

• Developing independence

• Strengthening work habits

• Identifying career preferences

• Preparing participants for Supported Employment or the open labour market

Regular progress meetings ensure the program continues to match each participant’s changing goals and strengths.

Who Is Eligible for SLES

To access SLES, you (or your child) must meet these criteria:

• You must be an active participant under the NDIS. 

• SLES is designed for people who are in their final years of school, or have recently finished school (i.e. school-leavers). 

• Typically, the target age range for SLES support is around 15–22 years old, though that may vary depending on individual plans and circumstances. 

• The NDIS plan for the participant must include funding under the “Finding and Keeping a Job” / capacity-building employment supports category (or equivalent) to fund SLES. 

How to Enrol in SLES with Thorndale

If you believe you (or your child) meet the eligibility criteria and want to enrol in Thorndale’s SLES program, here’s how to get started:

1. Review your NDIS plan — check if you have funding allocated for employment supports / job-preparation supports under “Finding and Keeping a Job”.

2. Contact Thorndale — reach out with your NDIS plan and expression of interest. We will discuss your goals, support needs, and preferred pathway.

3. Assessment & Planning — Together we’ll develop an individual support plan that aligns your abilities, needs and aspirations. This may include skill-building, work-readiness training, or real-world work experience.

4. Service Agreement & Scheduling — Once agreed, we establish a Service Agreement: what activities you’ll undertake, estimated frequency, outcomes, and how SLES funding will be used.

5. Commence Program — With your consent and plan in place, you start SLES support with Thorndale. Our team provides regular support, progress reviews and adjustments to meet your evolving needs.

Start Your Pathway to Employment

Thorndale’s SLES program provides young people with disability the training, confidence and workplace experience needed to begin their career with clarity and support.