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Post-16 guidance for young people with special

educational needs and disability

Feedback If you have ideas for making this guidance better please send them to

SENDLocalOffer@Oxfordshire.gov.uk. We will update it annually and will use your

feedback to make improvements.

Are you thinking about going to

college or looking for supported employment?

This guidance will tell you about:

• The range of post 16 choices in Oxfordshire and close by

• Where to get information, advice and guidance to make your choices

• What happens in the year before you start

• What it is like going to college and what colleges offer

• Other opportunities for learning and working

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1. The range of choices

Young people have to stay in some sort of learning until at least their 18th birthday. Most stay in school or college, but there are lots of other options available. Staying at School You could stay at school for Year 12 or you may want to apply to another school that has different courses and support for students. Have a look at school websites for information about what’s offered. You can find a list of schools in Oxfordshire at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/schools/list/all

College There are three colleges in Oxfordshire offering a range of courses:

Abingdon and Witney College ,

City of Oxford - which includes Banbury and Bicester College

Henley College. You can find out more about what they offer in section 4 of this guidance. There are also colleges close to Oxfordshire:

Swindon College,

Newbury College,

Berkshire College of Agriculture

Cirencester College.

Aylesbury College

Amersham & Wycombe College You can get contact information for these colleges at http://fisd.oxfordshire.gov.uk/kb5/oxfordshire/fsd/results.page?disabilitieschannel=0&qt=16+sen&term=&sorttype=relevance You don’t have to go to your nearest Further Education College. Depending on what you want to study and the college facilities you may wish to apply elsewhere. If you go further away you may not get as much help with travel costs and you could spend a long time travelling every day.

Independent Learning providers If you want to continue learning, you don’t have to go to school or college. There are independent organisations that offer entry level courses and employability training for young people who want to get a qualification or learn the skills to help find a job. There are some examples of independent providers in section 5, and you can search for courses and vacancies at www.oxme.info/opportunities Support to Find Employment If you are over 18 you may prefer to find a job. If you are under 18 you can also get a job but you will need to do some learning alongside this – either as an apprenticeship, or training linked to the work you are doing. There are organisations that can help you get ready for work and find a job. Some are listed in Section 5.

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2. Working out which route is best for you You can get Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) from a number of places: School or College If you are starting to think of post-16 options, the best place to begin is to arrange a meeting with the Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) or Careers Adviser in your school or college. This person will be able to offer you advice on the options available and what you need to do. They can help you to set up contacts and arrange visits for you to see what is available. Early Intervention Service When you leave school the Early Intervention Service will be able to help. The seven Early Intervention hubs around the county all have an IAG or NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) lead who can advise about options available and help you work out which is best suited to you. You can find the contact details for your local EI Hub at www.oxme.info/hubs. The Early Intervention Service can offer:

Long-term mentoring with a Specialist NEET worker

1:1 appointments with a worker at your local Hub

Weekly job clubs and drop ins at the hubs and other locations around Oxfordshire (dates and venues listed at www.oxme.info/jobclubs )

Information over the phone (01865 328460) or web chat with the Opportunities Team

OXME www.oxme.info is Oxfordshire County Council’s website for young people. It has a huge section about education and work. This includes a live vacancy search and help with applying for jobs, courses and apprenticeships. Vacancy information is updated daily and you can subscribe to weekly email updates. http://oxcentric.oxme.info/cms/oxcentric/education-and-work

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There’s also lots of other information on the Oxfordshire County Council including: The Family Information Directory You can search for IAG yourself using the directory. The following link will take you straight to the site: http://fisd.oxfordshire.gov.uk/kb5/oxfordshire/fsd/results.page?disabilitieschannel=400&sortfield=title&sorttype=field

The Local Offer for SEN and Disability https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/special-educational-needs-and-disability-send also has information about education and training, and other things that may be useful as you move into adult life like money matters and transport.

National Careers Service (NCS) The NCS has careers information on line and if you are over 18 it is possible to make an appointment with an NCS Adviser face to face. Contact information is available at www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

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3. Timeline: Moving into Post-16 Learning or Training

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Sc

ho

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ar

be

fore

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itio

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SEN Support or Education, Health & Care

Plan Review

Your school and the Local Authority will work together to arrange your review early

in the school year (before January) so that you can

discuss and decide what you want to do and to start

applying

Letting your new placement know how

you want to be supported

It is useful for you and your current school to let your

new placement know of your learning support needs so

they can arrange to put support in place for you

Getting a taster of your new placement

Once you know where you are going it may be arranged for you to spend some time

there so you can become familiar with the buildings, people and travel before

starting. Also they can get to know you and your

aspirations

Start Post-

16 Course

Careers Guidance

Over the last few years your school should have been providing careers

guidance to help you decide what you want to do

Sharing Information

Telling your new placement information about any extra support needs will not affect getting your place but help to make it better when you go there. It is best to let them know as early as possible. If you would rather not share information

about yourself with your new school/college then you do not have to.

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4. Going to college

For some young people leaving school to go to college or any other post-16 provider can seem scary. To make it is easier this section explains:

Who to contact if you are thinking of going to a college in Oxfordshire.

What help is available.

It is always most useful to speak to someone in college about what is available. You can contact a member of staff directly and/or arrange a visit. You can also make an appointment to speak with the Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) specialist to support you with your career decisions. All colleges have a website so that you can find out what is available.

Abingdon and Witney College

www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk Phone: 01235 555 5855 Where is it? Abingdon and Witney College has 5 sites, these are:

1. The Abingdon campus is the main site on the Wootton Road in Abingdon 2. The Witney campus on the Holloway Road in Witney 3. Common Leys is a farm and animal care centre in Hailey, near Witney 4. Avenue One Skills Centre (construction) is in Witney 5. Milton Park business centre is at Milton Park, Abingdon

What is offered?

Pathways courses - previously known as ‘Steps’ - offer an individualised curriculum, supporting students to continue to develop their awareness of the world and their ability to make their own choices. They are for students working at Pre-Entry and Entry Level learning.

Pathway 1, 2 and 3 focuses on increasing the independence of learners, in particular with regard to choice and control in supported living.

Pathway 4 and 5 offers a curriculum which builds on functional skills and independence, focusing on the skills needed for employment.

The level of support is generally a little less on the higher numbered Pathways, although support is offered on all programmes. Students are able to access speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy if this is assessed as needed.

Tip College is often referred to as ‘FE’ which stands for Further Education. Some of the different ways that courses are defined is included in appendix 1.

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Future Pathways Future Pathways delivers a curriculum which enables young people who are working at Entry Level 3 or Level 1 to start to look at vocational options for work. Students can choose from a range of options to suit their interests and needs and will continue to develop their functional skills, start exploring which vocational options might suit them best and continue to develop in their friendship groups. Most students will gain some work experience throughout the course of the year and many will progress on to a Level 2 course in their chosen vocational area, although some move directly to work. Many students on Future Pathways may be unsure of their future. Future Pathways will help to offer new ideas and choices for a successful working future.

Gateway Centres

There is a Gateway Centre on both Abingdon and Witney Campus. Gateway Centres offer learners a safe environment where they can access a structured package of learning that is tailored to their own needs, particularly if support is needed around interpersonal or social difficulties. The purpose of the Gateway Centre is to enable young people to move forward with targeted support, either into further education, training or employment.

MAP College

MAP stands for the MacIntyre Abingdon Partnership. Macintyre provides an educational programme for young people with autism whose support needs cannot be met in the college. Some of the classes are on campus but most are based in the community where the student lives. The programme is called ‘No Limits’ because it can be flexible and adapted to an individual person’s needs.

Support for learning Additional Learning Support is available in a variety of ways:

FEAST (Further Education Autism Specialist Team) is an autism support team made up of specialist staff with expertise in autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Students can receive support in a ‘Green Room’ on the Abingdon, Witney and Common Leys sites. There is also an Asperger’s employability project known as ‘What Next?’ which provides personalised advice and guidance for learners looking to get a job after college.

Support is also available for Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment or Physical Disability. Every effort is made to support learning, providing expert advice and support where necessary. The following is an example of how this happens.

A severely deaf student in Oxfordshire wears two hearing aids and has difficulty hearing when levels of background noise increase. The college timetables the student so that she can make use of sound field systems installed in key subject areas. Staff members are trained in how to use the equipment in conjunction with the student’s radio system and the interactive whiteboard. Teachers plan ahead when they are using DVD or video clips to support learning and support staff arrange for a written synopsis or transcript when subtitled resources are not available.

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Dyslexia assessments and support are available to students who have been identified as experiencing dyslexia. Support and advice are offered to enable the student to become as independent as possible in their learning.

Oxford, Banbury and Bicester Colleges www.cityofoxford.ac.uk Phone: 01865 550 550 www.banbury-bicester.ac.uk Phone: 0808 1686626 The City of Oxford and Banbury and Bicester Colleges are part of what is known as the Activate Learning Group.

Where is it? City of Oxford College has two campuses in Oxford:

Oxpens Road campus

Blackbird Leys campus, a centre for construction and new technologies Banbury College campus is on Broughton Road, Banbury Bicester College campus is at Telford House, Telford Road, Bicester What is offered?

Each college offers a range of Foundation Learning programmes so it is best to make an appointment to talk with an Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) specialist first. All Foundation courses develop communication skills, independence and confidence and vocational courses that will help you to get ready to find employment. They also have courses in hair and beauty, construction, IT, media, caring and health, art and design, catering, motor vehicle and much more.

Student support Both the City of Oxford and Banbury and Bicester Colleges welcome applications from students with additional support needs and offer:

Advice and information on disability support and reasonable adjustments at the college

Individual support plans

Access arrangements in exams

Specialist equipment

Support workers e.g. note-takers, communication support workers for deaf students, mentors

Liaison with academic department staff

The City of Oxford College also has a specialist, diagnostic assessment centre for those people moving to Higher Education who have made an application for Disabled Students Allowance.

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Learning Enriched Autism Programme (LEAP) helps students to build their skills, increase independence and achieve qualifications. LEAP helps learners to improve their core skills in English and maths, while building vital independent living and employability skills. Students also have the opportunity to specialise in a vocational area, currently:

IT at work

Health and Social care

Child development

Hair and Beauty

Hospitality and Catering

Construction

Sport

At Banbury and Bicester College the programmes for the 14-19 year old school leavers group are called ‘New Directions’ and ‘Supported Education Skills for Independence’.

New Directions is for students who are undecided about which direction to take and who do not have the qualifications to study a full Level 1 course. The aim of this course is to help students to become more confident and to progress onto further courses or employment.

On the Supported Education Skills for Independence courses students are taught in a supportive environment where they learn to work more independently and grow in self-esteem. There are opportunities to gain nationally-recognised qualifications.

A student with autism at City of Oxford College was with us for one year on our Employability 19+ course. He had work experience with University Parks and they have offered him a contract for 3 months with further training and preparation for moving into apprenticeship with them.

The student first went to Abingdon and Witney College achieving qualifications in horticulture, conservation and a Level 1 in English. He then joined the City of Oxford College to focus on his skills for employment – e.g. problem solving, customer service, independence, confidence. Through practical work experience, classroom based activities and working in our shop, the student has matured and grown in confidence and self-reliance to the extent that his work placement offered him a contract of employment.

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The Henley College www.henleycol.ac.uk Phone: 01491 579988 Where is it? Henley College is situated in the centre of Henley in Deanfield Avenue What is offered?

The Foundation Programme at The Henley College provides a range of courses for students who would like to improve their skills with a view to progressing into the workplace or onto a further course such as Level 2 Diploma or NVQ. All the courses within the Foundation programme will have additional support. It is always best to visit the college and make an appointment to talk with the Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) specialist first.

Pathways offer the opportunity to experience a varied programme within

the context of a Sixth Form College, making extensive use of local facilities including working and socialising in the Hot Frog Café. The course encourages students to mature and be as independent as possible. Student areas include:

Communications

Numeracy

Information Technology

Problem solving

Personal skills

Creative, leisure and physical activities, including physiotherapy when assessed and appropriate

Pathways Plus is a similar course for students over the age of 19 who

would like to continue their education and training.

‘Bridge’ courses: This is a full time, one year course for students who are already working at Entry Level 2 and above. The course offers students the opportunity to gain Functional Skills qualifications in Maths, English and IT, Employability and Personal Development, Catering and History. A progression route is open to all students who may pass through Entry Levels 2 and 3 and Levels 1 and 2. Enrichment activities and a possible work placement experience are also included within the course. Classes are small and benefit from teaching assistant support. Students may progress to further courses or into employment.

The ‘Fedex’ course

This is a full time, one year course for students who are currently working at Entry Level 3 and above. Students have the opportunity to gain qualifications in Functional Skills, Maths, English, ICT and History, a Diploma in Employability and Personal Development, which includes a work placement in the second term. A progression route is open to all students who may pass

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through Entry Level 3 and Level 1 and Level 2. Vocational taster classes are organised on a termly basis. Students may progress from Fedex to a range of higher level courses, traineeships or employment.

Upgrade provides a wide range of specialist support for students with identified learning support needs or a disability, as well as those who feel they are experiencing any problems throughout their studies.

5. Other Learning Providers and Support to find Employment

There are a number of independent learning providers that offer a range of training programmes, work experience, advice and guidance, and support to find employment. The table below lists those particularly good at supporting people with special educational needs and disability. The range of provision available is always changing so for an up to data list of providers in Oxfordshire you can access a Training Directory from http://oxcentric.oxme.info/cms/content/employers-and-providers or search for live opportunities at www.oxme.info/opportunities. There is specific information about organisations in Oxfordshire which offer foundation learning, pre-apprenticeship training, work ready programmes, traineeships, placements and lots more. This can be found in the Directory of Entry Level Programmes and Traineeships

Sam was noted at a school-college meeting as having a specific learning disability, dyspraxia and cognition difficulties. She also lacked confidence and could be distracted in lessons. It was advised that she would require help understanding instructions, interpreting meaning and completing homework. Sam attended specialist support sessions from when she first attended the college in September 2010 until September 2012. In September 2010 Sam was assessed for examination access arrangements. An application for extra time and a reader was submitted. The recommendations stated that she had speech and language processing difficulties which affected her ability to understand what she heard and read, as well as causing difficulties with written expression. Sam needed more time both for reading and writing. Her difficulties could cause anxiety as she had to work both longer and harder than her peers to achieve a good result. Sam made good progress especially during her work experience placements. She achieved 3 passes and 5 merits for her Diploma assignments. For ‘Research Methods’ she gained a distinction; at this stage Sam was working at a far higher level of knowledge and understanding than would have been possible when she first came to College. Sam gained a place at University.

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http://oxcentric.oxme.info/cms/sites/oxcentric/files/folders/documents/Oxfordshire_Directory_Entry_Level_Programmes_%26_Traineeships.pdf.

There are some video clips about independent learning

providers and helping people into work on the Oxme website.

http://oxcentric.oxme.info/cms/oxcentric/training-providers

Name of Provider, Website

and Phone No

Description of services

A.C.E Training www.a-c-e-training.com 01865 370040

Entry level courses, training up to level 2, and apprenticeships linked to the construction industry. Including carpentry, brickwork, plumbing, Health & Safety, employability and personal development.

Active Education & Training Ltd (Oxford Active) www.oxfordactive.co.uk 01865 594 325

Traineeships and apprenticeships in child care, activity leadership and play work.

Aspire www.aspireoxford.co.uk 01865 204450 07875 699286

Traineeships and guidance to help find work. Work placements in grounds and landscape maintenance, property services, such as painting, decorating and cleaning, furniture restoration and textile recycling and apprenticeships in IT.

Empowering Families http://www.reachfor.org.uk/sites/default/files/reachforfamilies.pdf 0845 408 5088

Helpline and face to face support for young disabled people and their families to move into post 16 opportunities. Delivered in Oxfordshire by Adviza.

Ethnic Minority Business Service www.embs.org.uk 01865 794006

Offers young people the opportunity to gain entry level qualifications and GCSEs which they may have missed whilst at schools. Also offers routes in to higher education and employment. Help and support given for CV writing, careers guidance and applying for jobs.

Headway www.headwayoxford.org.uk 07775 022682

Charity working with people after brain injuries. They also offer vocational support services such as advice and guidance for employment, training and education opportunities, and support with re-engagement with work.

HIT Training www.hittraining.co.uk/careers 0800 093 5292 01869 351404

Apprenticeships and traineeships in chef, bar and beverage services, waiting and food service, housekeeping, cleaning and support services, reception, kitchen services, customer services, team leading, business administration, health and social care.

KFES www.kfes.org 0784 348 6216 / 01235 911015

Offers a Direction Programme for young people who are not in employment or training and need an individualised training programme to help them back into education or work.

LTD - Languages Training & Development

Foundation Learning and Preparation for Work programmes, IT Skills, bespoke and vocational courses. Programmes are designed to meet the

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www.ltd-oxford.com 01993 708637

needs and interests of the individual working towards a range of qualifications from Entry 1 to Level 2.

Mencap

www.mencap.org.uk/employment 07766 475 566

Employ Me package enables people with learning difficulties or physical disabilities to develop the skills they need to get a paid job and provides support to help people find and stay in employment. The work preparation traineeship study programme provides an intensive workplace based certificated course to help young people make the transition into work. It links up with the Employ Me employment service.

Oxfordshire Employment Service www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/oxfordshire-employment-service 01865 815809

Support for people with long term health issues or a disability to find or keep paid employment. The employment advisers offer information, advice and guidance on finding employment, help and support to keep working, information on employment related benefits and links with local employers.

Progress! The Go Further Programme Skills Training UK www.progressprogramme.com 0808 168 9230

1:1 coaching for young people and adults in receipt of an out of work benefit. Accessed through the Early Intervention Hubs or Job Centre Plus or through their website. Provides help with practical support on routines in the house and home, using a computer, health and well-being, employment skills, and starting and keeping a job.

Restore

www.restore.org.uk Main office: 0845 250 0518

Supports people with mental health issues in Oxfordshire to recover and get work. Restore provides a range of mental health support services including coaching, recovery groups and training.

Seeds of Change

www.theseedsofchange.co.uk 01234 881871

Seeds of Change offers personal development, life skills and land based foundation and functional skill programmes in multiple locations across Oxfordshire. It provides a range of equine and outdoor practically based programmes for young people aged 14-19.

Specialist NEET Service http://oxcentric.oxme.info/cms/content/access-support-and-contact-advisors 07909938145

Offers 1:1 advice and guidance for young people who are not in education or employment. Support to access personal development opportunities and progress into work or training. Accessed through the Early Intervention Hubs.

Synolos http://synolos.co.uk/

01993 702 027 01993 866 615

Offers carpentry, furniture making, photography, retail, basic beauty therapy, business admin, Child care, health & social care, Art & Design and IT. The courses range from 10 to 18 weeks, as well as one year and two year courses. They also offer supported education for 16+ and 19-30 years, and some pre-16 courses.

Yellow Submarine http://www.yellowsubmarine.org.uk/

01865 236119

The Yellow Submarine is a social enterprise café on Park End Street in Oxford that also offers the opportunity to work and learn. It offers work experience sessions and Supported Internships in the Café and an apprenticeship scheme in collaboration with Abingdon and Witney College.

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APPENDIX 1: Description of levels

Foundation Learning or entry level courses can also be called ‘Supported Learning’

in colleges. A post-16 framework is used in education and employment to help

compare the size, level of difficulty and content of different qualifications.

Level Qualification examples

Entry

(levels 1-3)

Entry Level Award

Skills for Life

Functional Skills (English, maths, ICT)

Essential Skills

1

GCSEs (grades D-G)

NVQ Level 1

Functional Skills

Essential Skills

2

GCSEs (grades A*-C)

NVQ Level 2

Intermediate Apprenticeship

3

A Levels (grades A-E)

AS Levels

Foundation Diploma (Art and Design)

NVQ Level 3

Advanced Apprenticeship

4

Higher National Certificate (HNC)

Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE)

Higher Apprenticeship

5

Higher National Diploma (HND)

Foundation Degree

NVQ Level 4