Supported Learning Supported Learning

Supported LearningSupported LearningDelivering Excellence for Students with Learning Difficulties

Belfast Met is the largest further and higher

education college in Northern Ireland and

the sixth largest in the UK. At Belfast Met, we

aspire to be a college which has a significant

impact on the people and communities

we serve – enhancing individual lives and

contributing to the success of the city of

Belfast and the region of Northern Ireland.

The College is committed to excellence in every

way. We pride ourselves on providing a complete

student experience – in addition to a varied

qualification offering, we nurture your personal

development and boast a spectrum of support

services to assist you upon your student journey.

The Centre for Supported Learning is

recognised as a Centre of Excellence having

recently won an Aontas Award for Excellence in

Adult Learning. I am immensely proud of what

has been achieved and I look forward to the

continued success of the School in providing

high quality teaching and training.

We are delighted that you are considering

coming to Belfast Met and we hope you find it

educational, fun and rewarding.

Marie–Thérèse McGivern,

Principal and Chief Executive

Welcome 01

Supported Services at Belfast Met 02

Innovations and Developments 04

What Our Students Say 07

Courses 10

Supporting you at Belfast Met 16

Work with Partners and Stakeholders 17

Contents

www.belfastmet.ac.uk 01

Alison Anderson

Curriculum Area Manager,

Centre for Supported Learning

The Centre for Supported Learning, within the

School of Community Education and Skills for Life,

is the first choice specialist provider of educational

opportunity for school leavers and adults with

moderate, severe and complex learning difficulties.

A recognised leader in this field, our dynamic centre

delivers ground breaking, innovative and creative

educational and vocational skills programmes

tailored to meet individual learner needs.

We deliver our programmes in an inclusive and

supportive environment. The students may avail of

vocational training, employability skills, budgeting

and money management skills - in preparation for

adult life.

A highly skilled and qualified specialist staff team

both, academic and support, are experts in the field

of learning difficulty and are dedicated to ensuring

the learner is empowered to achieve their personal

best, become more independent and ultimately a

valued and confident citizen of the city of Belfast.

All students in the Centre follow nationally

accredited qualification pathways ensuring they are

well placed to fulfil personal goals and aspirations.

The Centre works proactively with a range of

partners enabling clear progression routes for

students and opportunities for post College life.

Welcome 01

Supported Services at Belfast Met 02

Innovations and Developments 04

What Our Students Say 07

Courses 10

Supporting you at Belfast Met 16

Work with Partners and Stakeholders 17

www.belfastmet.ac.uk02

Learning Resource Centre

The Library/Learning Resources team are here

to support your learning. At Belfast Met we

offer outstanding facilities to complement your

experience as a student. Most importantly we

provide a welcoming, supportive environment

with friendly and experienced staff that are

knowledgeable about our services and always

available to support you with your learning.

Support Services at Belfast Met

Students Union

As a student at Belfast Met, you can join the students

union and benefit from all its services.

You will be able to:

• obtain an NUS/USI student card which will enable

you to get discounts galore;

• attend social activities run by the students’ union;

• get free student offers and give-aways throughout

the year;

• become a class representative;

Our support staff will help you access the Students’

Union and its services.

Accessing Help from Disability Services /

Inclusive Learning

If you have an additional disability such as a

hearing impairment we will ensure that you get

the necessary support from Disability Services to

enable you to participate fully in college life.

Your personal tutor will organise this for you

following an assessment.

Our range of student support services will assist you every step of the way

“ “


Working with Belfast Circus SchoolThe opportunity to go to the Circus to learn some really cool circus skills, meet new people and improve your self confidence as well as putting on a performance to show what you have learned.

Join a band and record your songs

The opportunity to work with our music students to find

your inner groove and record your own music.

Set up a small business

Work with your class mates to set up a small business to

raise money for a charity of your choice.

Fresh

Join in Belfast Metropolitan College’s innovative creative

thinking programme, FRESH. The pioneering FRESH

programme, exclusive to Belfast Met, will broaden your

enterprise and employability skills by exposing you to

a FRESH creative process. Embracing a combination of

design thinking processes and skills development,

you will acquire new attitudes to assessing, challenging

and shaping innovation.

My Town Project

This is our very successful, collaborative project with South

West College funded by JISC (Joint Information Systems

Committee) to enhance the use of mobile technologies in

the classroom by students with learning difficulties. You get

the opportunity to develop friendships and share information

about your studies by video conferencing and Skype

enabling you to develop your communication skills and make

use of new technology.

Learning at Belfast met is creative, enjoyable and really

fun. As part of your studies you will have the opportunity

to take part in our new initiatives and developments to

make learning really exciting, inventive and give you the

opportunity to practice real life skills. Some of these include -

Innovations and Developments

Learning TogetherLearning TogetherLearning Together


Learning TogetherLearning TogetherLearning Together


The College has been working successfully

in partnership with Hillcroft Special School

for the past 6 years to develop and deliver

a Transition to Adulthood programme to

school leavers.

This very successful innovative and

energetic programme emphasises the

development of knowledge and skills

through practical real life experiences and

accredited learning. Hillcroft and Belfast

Met have worked together to develop

independence and coping skills as well as

increasing confidence and self esteem in

our learners. The experience of being in

college as a student has a very positive

impact on the real life learning of the young

people involved.

We are delighted with the successful impact

of this partnership on our learners and wish

to continue developing it in the future.

Martin Beattie, Hillcroft Special School

Case StudiesHillcroft Special School


Susan Galbraith

Susan is in her first year on the Training for

Success Skills for Work Level 1 Programme.

Skills for Work is a Department for Employment

and Learning (DEL) funded programme.

Susan has studied various courses at Belfast Met

and has completed her Essential Skills in Maths

and English as well as doing a BTEC in Vocational

Studies and a City & Guilds qualification in

Employability and Personal Development.

The course has enabled her to get involved in a

wide range of activities in organising fun days and

taking part in fundraising activities. Susan’s tutor

Clare Corey went on to say “Susan is a delightful,

enthusiastic and hardworking student who is

always willing to assist other students in the group.

She attends daily and has established

a range of transferable and work skills that will

help her in progressing on to face the many

challenges and opportunities in the second year

of the programme”.

Robert Graham

Robert first came to Belfast Met when he was 16

years old, through a link course run in conjunction

with his school. He had the option to stay on at

school for another three years but decided to leave

and come to College.

He enrolled on the Towards Work and Independence

Course full-time and he really excelled on it. Robert

said “I enjoyed doing cookery, English and Maths,

IT, car valeting and the Enterprise Project. I made

lots of new friends and engaged fully in College life”.

He is now at college two days per week part-time

doing the Right Track IT and Right Track Basic

Performance Skills and is enjoying the course and

continuing his learning and development.

Robert is also part of the Special Olympics team

and has had the opportunity to visit lots of different

countries and won many medals taking part. He is

also an active volunteer for the Special Olympics.

What Our Students Say

“ “

Debbie Galbraith, Parent

It is obvious that the tutors are focussing all

their efforts on developing the students to the

best of their potential and more importantly

they see every student on the course as

having a future.

Etta Graham, Parent

“ “Over the years at College, Robert has

gained an enormous amount from his

studies, both socially and academically.

He can now deal with social situations

in an independent and mature manner.

Being part of a team at College has greatly

enhanced his life.


The Centre for Supported Learning has full-time further education courses’ Training for Success (TFS) provision, part-time and community based courses for students with moderate, severe and complex learning difficulties.

Full-time Further Education for students aged 16 plusTowards Work and Independence

NOCN Entry Level 3

Towards Independence Programme It will give you the confidence and skills necessary to become more independent in your daily life and become a responsible young adult. This is a brilliant and exciting programme where you will learn more about yourself. Explore Belfast and your local area, organise your own student events, work as part of a team and update your computer skills – all whilst

obtaining an Open College Network (OCN) qualification.

Towards Work ProgrammeThis course is for those with moderate/severe learning difficulties. It gives you the confidence and skills necessary to become more independent in your daily life and begins to prepare you for the world of work. You will gain skills in reading, number, writing and computers. You will sample different vocational areas such as painting and decorating, car valeting, textiles and catering. Enterprise is also a key part of this course and you will participate in the Enterprise Challenge,

establishing a small business for charity.

Employability ProgrammeLeaving school? Seeking employment in a supported learning environment? Want to learn new employability and enterprise skills, build confidence, meet new friends and have great fun at the same time? Come and join us as a student at Belfast Met. You will achieve an Open College Network qualification. Subjects include: Computers and IT, Communication and Number Skills, Interview Skills

and Building your own CV.

Courses

Routeways Training for Success - Edexcel BTEC

Level 1 Certificate in Vocational Studies

The Routeways programme is specifically designed

training for Success Programme for young people

with moderate learning difficulties. Students will

select qualifications in the following areas: BTEC

Level 1 Certificate in Vocational Studies - Retail,

Catering and Hairdressing , BTEC Level 1 Certificate

in Work Skills and a BTEC Level 1 Certificate in

Hospitality. The key strength of the programme is

that all students are ‘supported’ through a team of

specialist lecturers. Each learner’s will have their

own individual pathway.

Right Track Level 1 - NOCN Level 1 Certificate in

Skills Towards Enabling Progression

This Level 1 Course is aimed at preparing

you for independent living. Subjects include:

Communication Skills, ICT, Money Management,

Practical Cookery and Home Management,

Personal Development and Assertiveness and

Working as a Member of a Team. Our welcoming

and supportive tutors are experienced and know

how to make your time at College successful and

enjoyable. There will be lots of support and advice

to help you learn, progress and make choices.

Pathfinder City and Guilds Level 1 Certificate in

Employability and Personal Development

The Pathfinder Level 1 programme is designed

for young people aged 16 and over who have

a moderate to severe physical disability and/

or learning difficulty and who require additional

support in order to access further education.

The programme provides an integrated full-time

educational experience and you may be given the

opportunity to sample a work placement or to join

in developing an enterprise project. The course

will give you the confidence and skills necessary to

become more independent in daily life. This exciting

and fun course will provide you with the ideal

opportunity to experience study life, to have fun,

learn and prepare for the future with the support

that you require.


Right Track Part-time

Independent Living Skills delivered in Millfield

and Castlereagh

This programme runs on a Wednesday and students

have the opportunity to learn basic cookery and

daily living skills such as money management and

managing your leisure time. This programme is for

adults with severe learning difficulties.

Enterprise - Millfield Campus

This programme runs on a Monday on the Millfield

Campus and students will have the opportunity to

set up a small voluntary business and raise funds

for charities, learn money management and how

to relate with the general public and wider College

community. They will also have the opportunity to

gather market research and to work as part of a

team.

Core Skills delivered - Castlereagh Campus

This programme runs on a Friday and students will

have the opportunity to develop their literacy and

numeracy skills. You will develop your reading skills,

essential form filling skills, planning skills, budgeting

and personal money management.

ICT - Millfield Campus

This programme runs on a Thursday and students

will have the opportunity to develop computer skills

including email, accessing the internet, writing a

word document and developing a PowerPoint.

Students will also explore the use of computers for

Leisure purposes.

Community - Millfield Campus

Students will explore their local community

investigating community facilities and what it

means to be part of a community both locally and

nationally. They will explore the role of the Council in

community life and what it means to be a citizen of

the city of Belfast.

Creative Activity - Millfield Campus

This programme is delivered on a Friday and offers

students the opportunity to release their inner

creativity. Students will get involved in drama and

music performances as well developing their skills

in art and crafts. There will be organised visits to

creative and art exhibitions and facilities such as the

MAC throughout the year.

Right Track - Muckamore Abbey

A bespoke part-time provision in Muckamore Abbey

designed to meet the needs of adults with severe

learning difficulties who live in the Abbey and who

are preparing for a new life in the community.

Community Based Provision

Some of our students have such busy lives that

they have only time to fit in short courses. Our two

hour Community classes are ideal for this purpose.

Classes are mornings, afternoons and evenings

and they take place in college campuses and

Community Centres throughout Belfast.

Classes include computers, Skills for everyday

Life (English and Maths), Personal Development,

Gardening, Practical Cookery and arts and crafts.

All of our part-time provision is accredited

through NOCN.

Part-time Courses


Achieving and moving on is a very personal thing

and is different for each individual. We will support

you and your family to make choices about your

future and what to do next.

This section Includes case studies of some of our

learners and how they have progressed through

the various options available at Belfast Met.

The College is a leader in developing courses

that reflect current and future skills needs, with

employability and the learner placed at the centre

of all that we do. To this end, we support students

into employment, better employment or a route

towards employment

Progression Opportunities at Belfast Met

Olivia joined Towards Work and

Independence, Towards Independence

strand from school.

In her first year Olivia required additional

support and had a one to one support

assistant. Olivia progressed so well in her

self confidence and independence that

she was able to come into her second

year without any additional support.

Olivia has excelled in independent daily

living skills, has learned to be more

independent and assertive. Olivia can

make choices about her life and next

year will progress to the Orchardville

Society were she will do two days work

placement a week and come to College

part-time to develop skills that will

support her in her placement.

Olivia has been a super student and we

look forward to seeing her on our

part-time provision.

Olivia


AchievementAchievement


Carl came to the centre while at school as part

of the school partnership programme, learning

how to travel independently.

At the end of that year Carl joined the full-time

Entry Level 3 Towards Work and Independence/

Employability programme during which he

successfully maintained a work placement with

Chest Heart and Stroke.

After achieving his Entry Level 3 qualifications

Carl applied for and was accepted to Training

for Success Pathfinder Level 1 BTEC Vocational

Studies and was there for two years.

Carl has completed his Level 1 qualification and

has applied for Level 2 Business Admin course.

We are all very proud of Carl and his

achievements.

Carl


ProgressionProgression


Supporting you at Belfast Met

As parents of our students’ your views and

support are very important to us to enable us to

meet the needs of our students both academic

and social.

We have regular review meetings with parents

which take place twice a year and we encourage

you to build on College based learning at home.

We develop close working relationships with

parents and related professionals to ensure our

learners are fully supported whilst at College.

Parents

The staff team in the Centre for Supported Learning

are leaders in their field and are a professional,

expert, creative and dynamic team totally dedicated

to the education of our students. Whether they are

undertaking a further education or training course

we aim to provide them with the skills necessary to

become more independent in daily life and to look

towards a more independent future.

Staff team

The College can present many exciting

opportunities and challenges. To help you take part

fully in College, we have a dedicated enthusiastic

and expert support team on hand who will help you

in many ways including.

• finding your way about College

• help you make choices in the canteen

• support you with any personal care needs

• make sure you can find your class

• assist with your transport arrangements

• support you in day to day classroom activities

• liaise with family/carers

• manage your money while at College

• be there to answer any problems you might have


We have extensive liaison and strong relationships

with a number of key stakeholders to enable us to

continue to develop and achieve excellence.

Some of these include:

PartnersOrchardville Society

Now project

Belfast Trust

Mencap

Disability Action

Cedar foundation

Opportunity youth

Muckamore Abbey Hospital

Special needs Careers Service

Knockbracken

SchoolsGlenveagh Special School

Torbank Special school

Hillcroft Special School

Fleming Fulton

Longstone

Cedar Lodge

Rostulla

St Gerards

Mitchell House

Park School

EmployersDunnes Stores

British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland

Poundland

Charleston Hairdressers

Re:Store

Sainsburys

City Picnic

Dorothy Perkins

Work with Partners and Stakeholders

Contact Information

The School for Community Education and Life Skills, Centre for

Learning Support welcomes the opportunity to meet with you and to

discuss our provision.

For further information please contact:

Alison Anderson

Curriculum Area Manager

Centre for Supported Learning

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 028 9026 5410

Linda Clarke

School Administrator

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 028 9026 5415

Supported Learning Supported Learning

Documents

Transcript of Supported Learning Supported Learning