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Additional Needs
Introduction, Progression at 16, Full time college, Specialist college, Work Based Learning, Employment, Further information
Introduction
Connexions Somerset places particular importance on its work with young people with additional needs and tries to ensure that individual needs are met. Increasingly young people with moderate learning difficulties will be educated in local mainstream schools and colleges. Careers and Skills advisers will see students with additional needs who are placed in mainstream school in Year 8 or Year 9 and will continue to support and help them through full time education and training.
For some students mainstream education may not be appropriate and they may be placed in special schools. Within these specialist schools we have a team of specialist careers and skills advisers who offer information, advice and guidance to the students to ensure a smooth transition at key stages of the young persons education.
Initial contact is before the Transition Review at 14+ and the Careers and Skills Adviser will start a Transition Plan. This review is a statutory requirement and is co-ordinated by the Local Education Authority. The Statement of Special Educational Needs is updated and amended if necessary, and the plans for the remaining time in compulsory education drawn up. Options for beyond 16 are also considered and at the end of Year 11 the Transition Plan becomes the S139a.
| |  | Initial contact is before the Transition Review at 14+. This review is a statutory requirement and is co-ordinated by the Local Education Authority. The Statement of Special Educational Needs is updated and amended if necessary, and the plans for the remaining time in compulsory education drawn up. Options for beyond 16 are also considered. | | | | Close contact is developed between the careers and skills adviser and student, by individual meetings and work within a classroom setting. | | | | Appropriate contact is made with other professionals, for example, educational psychologists and social workers. | | | | Great importance is also placed on working closely with parents. | | | | Careers and skills advisers work in conjunction with the school and may be involved with the delivery of the Careers Education Programme. This can include helping students to develop their self-knowledge, make decisions, begin to understand the world of work, be aware of the options they will have at 16 and develop the skills they will need when they leave school. |
Progression at 16
The majority of Somerset students with additional needs will move on to further education or employment with training at 16. At this time advice is particularly important and Connexions Somerset would expect to offer the following help and information:
| | | Comprehensive details about education and training courses offered by Somerset Colleges for young people with additional needs. | | | | Details about employment training courses offered by work based training. | | | | Information about specialist colleges and how to apply. | | | | Information about the support those students might expect from each option. | | | | Information relating to training allowances and benefits. | | | | Information about help with transport to college. | | | | Continued support while at college or in training. |
Full time college
Those students with moderate or severe learning difficulties and those with emotional and behavioural difficulties can access a range of courses at the four Somerset Colleges of Yeovil, Bridgwater, Strode at Street and Somerset College in Taunton. Discrete additional needs courses are available as well as mainstream courses, which with the appropriate level of support many young people with additional needs can access. For students living in the Frome area colleges at Trowbridge, Bath and Norton Radstock may be more accessible and those in the west of the County may consider Petroc (formerly East Devon College) at Tiverton. Courses lead to a range of nationally recognised qualifications.
Contact your local specialist careers and skills advisers or college for further details
Yeovil College – 01935-423921
Strode College, Street – 01458-844400
Bridgwater College –01278-455464
SCAT, Taunton – 01823-366366
Trowbridge - 01225-766341
Norton Radstock –01761-433161
City Of Bath College -01225-312191
Petroc (formerly East Devon College), Tiverton – 01884-235200
Specialist college
The majority of students go to their local college and successfully complete their course. A very small number need additional facilities, which their local college cannot provide. If this is the case an application may be made to the Learning and Skills Council to fund a place at a specialist college.
If this option is to be considered contact needs to be made with a specialist Connexions personal adviser, who will be able to suggest appropriate colleges, help with the application and explain about funding.
The Learning and Skills Council usually only fund people between 16 and 25 but they may support people beyond then. Each application is considered on an individual basis and is no guarantee of funding.
For further information on the Learning and Skills Council see www.lsc.gov.uk
Useful information
‘ COPE’ published by Lifetime Careers Wiltshire Ltd., 7 Ascot Court, White Horse Business Park, Trowbridge, Wilts BA14 OXA. This publication gives details of 150 specialist colleges
NATSPEC – The National Association of Specialist Colleges. These specialist colleges are recognised by the LSC. Individual websites can be accessed through the main site: www.natspec.org.uk
Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW Tel; 0171 450 0620 Fax 0171 450 0650
E-mail Admin@skill.org.uk Info@skill.org.uk
Website: www.skill.org.uk
Work Based Learning
Some young people with additional needs, who know what career they wish to follow and are ready for work, may choose Work Based Learning. This combines working with studying for a NVQ. In Somerset this is usually through the Apprenticeship Programme, although other forms of training may be available.
Contact your local Connexions centre for details on what’s available
Employment
Currently relatively few Somerset young people enter employment without training. This option may be particularly difficult for a young person with additional needs. However, this option can be discussed with a Connexions personal adviser.
Further information
Able to Succeed – Disabilities, Health and Job Choice
Published by CASCAID Ltd, Holywell Building, Holywell Way, Loughborough Leicestershire LE11 3UZ Tel: 01509 226868 Fax: 01509 226869 E-mail: enquiry@cascaid.co.uk
'Finding Your Way’ A Guide to Services in Somerset for Children with Additional needs
Published by Somerset County Council Social Services. This publication includes an extensive list of national voluntary organisations and local contacts. Copies available Freephone 080031722
After 16 – What’s New? – Choices and Challenges for Young Disabled People
Published by The Family Fund Trust, PO Box 50, York YO1 92X. Can be obtained free by a family of a young person with additional needs
Further help and advice on career support for young people with additional needs may be obtained from nearest Connexions centre
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