Additional Learning Support

Our commitment to supporting learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities sits firmly within the college Strategic Plan, as part of the college aim for High Standards of Quality and listening to and supporting our learners.

Special Education Needs and Disability provision at DN Colleges Group is inclusive and person-centred. We work with students, families and professionals to identify and support individual needs to ensure equal access to education can be realised. We are committed to offering a high-quality service and provision to learners with additional needs, and we will make every effort to ensure all learners experience is positive.

We have a clear focus on developing greater levels of independence and we help learners progress towards adulthood, linking learning to all of the following Preparing for Adulthood outcomes:

• Employment
• Independent Living
• Community Inclusion
• Health

If learners have a learning difficulty or disability, the Additional Learning Support Team offers support to maximise individual potential and help learners to reach their learning goals. Personalised and centred around the individual, support is available on all college sites and can be both inside and outside the classroom.

The college makes reasonable adjustments and uses technologies to ensure learners have the opportunity to access learning.

The college offers a wide range of provision that learners with SEND can access From Entry Level 1 to Level 3.

Supporting Learners

We offer support at all college sites in-class, outside of the classroom, with exams and assessments and in the wider college environment. This support is to enable learners the opportunity to access all available opportunities and to have the most positive learning experience whilst studying with DN Colleges Group.

Whatever learning difficulty or disability learners may have, we can offer tailored support to match individual needs. We work in partnership with curriculum staff, other internal services and external organisations to provide a person-centred approach. The support we offer is regularly reviewed and our aim, where possible, is to guide individuals towards greater levels of independence.

At DN Colleges we support learners with:

• Neuro Diverse Disorders
• Specific Learning Difficulties
• Hearing, Visual, Sensory and Mobility Difficulties
• Autistic Spectrum Conditions
• Physical Disabilities and Medical Conditions
• Mental Health Difficulties and Mental Ill Health
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Multiple and Complex Learning Needs
• Mild, Moderate and Severe Learning Difficulties

Meeting Learner Needs

Procedures are in place to identify support needs and to implement individualised support. Learner needs are generally identified prior to entry and meetings take place to assess support needs  Referrals to the Additional Learning Support team can be made at any point by curriculum and support staff.  Learners can also make self-referrals.

To ensure DN Colleges can best meet individual needs and requirements we will:

• Make arrangements to support you at interview
• Meet with you to discuss your needs which feeds into your individual support plan
• Attend Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) meetings and reviews (if applicable)
• Put support in place to enable you to access the opportunities you require to achieve
• Liaise on a regular basis with teaching staff to share the relevant information and provide updates regarding your support
• Support teaching staff with information and training about specific learning difficulties and disabilities
• Review the support you receive on a regular basis
• Discuss and agree on any changes that will be made to your support with you
• Promote your independence
• Support your achievement and progression
• Act in an inclusive and person-centred way at all times