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Additional Learning Support


If you need extra learning support, specialist equipment, or support workers then our team are here to help you reach your full potential.

What is 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.

Meeting Your Needs

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

How we support students

There are a range of different types of additional learning support that may be available, depending on your individual needs, some of which are listed below.

  • Transition Support
  • Specialist tutors e.g. dyslexia
  • Learning support assistants – both in and out of class
  • Communication support workers/BSL signers
  • Support with mobility around College
  • Personal care needs
  • Specialist equipment
  • Literacy and Numeracy support
  • Exam arrangements
  • Equipment loans
  • Study skills
  • Learning Support in class
  • Job coaches for Supported Internship.
  • Exam access arrangements

 

DN Colleges work closely with the learners education authority on the consultation of provision for learners with EHCPs.. Where the college is named as the provider we will work in partnership with you, your family/carers and the SEND Team

DN Colleges will review the EHCP annually and keep in contact with key people throughout the year ensuring that the young person is at the heart of any decision made about their learning.

We work closely with all our feeder schools and have excellent relationships with the local authorities. We are committed to meeting the individual needs of students with EHCPs.

Doncaster Council’s local offer gives children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and their families, information to help them find the right help and support in their area.

It has two main purposes:

  • To provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about the support and opportunities that are available.
  • To make provision more responsive to local needs.

Find out more about this local offer.

Support for Care Experienced Students: (Children in Care and Care Leavers)

If you choose to study at Doncaster College, there is financial support available. There are two funds you may apply for, depending on your age.

The 16-18 bursary can help with costs such as lunch, travel, materials/kit and educational visits. The bursary is paid weekly, based on attendance.

The 19+ discretionary fund is provided to support students with the additional costs of study that would otherwise prevent them from taking part in learning.   This is means assessed.

If you are a care leaver and on an apprenticeship you can receive a single payment of £1,000.00.  You must have been an apprentice for a minimum of 60 days and not received it before.

If you are a care leaver and choose to study on a higher education course at Doncaster College/North Lindsey , you can apply for the care leaver bursary award programme. This bursary is provided by North Lindsey/ Doncaster College/University Centre to assist eligible students with their course-related costs.

The aim of the bursary is to assist eligible care leavers with costs such as travel, materials and equipment. Students would need to have already applied to Student Finance England to be eligible for the award.

Information/guidance on the bursary will be given at the point of interview and will also be made widely available and highlighted during open days and enrolment/induction sessions by the college’s Higher Education Recruitment and Student Experience Co-Ordinator.

At DN Colleges group we support the delivery of our range of academic and vocational education through individual and small group tutoring and support.  Learners will be identified following the guidance outlined by the government, but we would welcome and support all learners who require or request any additional support.

Any student who feels that they are needing additional support but haven’t been identified for it should speak to their tutor in the first instance.

In addition to the new 16-19 Tuition Fund, our we offer a wide range of support for all of our students. For more information, visit our Student Support section.

Our Additional Learning Support Team

Contact our Additional Learning Support team

Contact Form - Learning Support
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