Skills for Life and Employment

Study Programmes for students who have faced significant barriers to achievement during their school career, including those with identified Special Educational Needs and / or Disabilities (SEND)

Our study programmes are designed to give young people the opportunity to further develop their skills, knowledge and experience, enabling them to gain employment, a more independent life or higher-level qualifications. We specialise in working with learners who experience anxiety, and those with special educational needs and disabilities (including social, emotional and mental health needs).

We build confidence and independence by encouraging our students to make choices and decisions about their future and the support they need. Each student has a tutor who will help them create personalised targets, working towards their goals for the future.

We plan our programmes to meet Education, Health and Care Plans and other planned outcomes. Our learning support team help students in lessons, at break and lunch times, and at the start and end of the day, as appropriate.

All study programmes include English, communication skills, maths, IT, personal and social development, skills for employment and work experience.

We offer the following courses: Sensory Learning Progression into Independence This course supports students with This course supports students to complex needs to further develop their progress towards adult life, independent communication skills, and to make living and employment. Classes are choices as they prepare for adulthood. based in college, in our training kitchens Our personal tutors and support staff work closely with parents / carers and external agencies, assessing and setting and gardens, and at our residential house in Brislington (The Brislington Centre). targets across the four areas of need, as Students are given opportunities to take outlined in the Education, Health and part in industry placements, either within Care plan. college or with a local employer. A careful transition process is in place Students who are capable of long-term to ensure the provision is right for each employment will progress onto our potential student. Pathways to Employment courses, while others may continue to develop their independent living skills on this course.

Pathways to Employment This course is for students who are working at Foundation Level (see page 16) and who will progress to higher level qualifications, internships, apprenticeships or employment. In addition to studying English and maths at the appropriate level, students will have opportunity to access vocational sessions (e.g. Motor Vehicle, Construction, Catering and IT) as well as authentic industry placements. As part of our Pathways curriculum, we also offer a Cycle Mechanics course at our Parkway Centre. This course gives students the practical skills to build, service and repair bicycles in an authentic working environment, while completing a valuable vocational qualification. Our specialist staff are on hand to support learners with anxiety, Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Project Search and Supported Internships This includes our one year ‘prepare for’ supported internship courses. We offer five internship programmes, including Project Search (currently based at UWE), Into Catering for those who are keen to work in the Hospitality Industry, and Project Bristol (based at Bristol City Council). The expected outcome for all our interns is part-time or full-time paid employment by the end of the internship. Tutors and specialist job coaches work together with our interns and employers to provide instruction and on-the-job training. The majority of our students will go on to paid employment.

Our provision also includes our residential training facility, The Brislington Centre, where 13 students each year stay from Sunday through to Friday during term time. During college holidays, students from other programmes are invited to stay at the centre to begin their transition into independent living which may include preparation for university life. Students develop skills they need for a more independent life, including getting themselves ready for the day, shopping, cleaning, cooking, living a healthy lifestyle, travel training and accessing the local community.