INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all learners receive the necessary advice, guidance and support in order to optimise their achievement on courses that are appropriate to their needs.

All learners will receive advice and information specific to the course on which they wish to enrol. Furthermore, learners will receive an initial diagnostic assessment which will help identify any additional learning needs and establish levels of support required. We will also provide a full induction for the relevant course. We endeavour to make all courses and learning as accessible as possible.

A learner with additional learning needs is someone who requires reasonable adjustments to the support over and above that which is usually provided by the teacher. This may be due to a disability or difficulty.

BACKGROUND

Disability is defined under the Equality Act 2010 as "a physical or mental impairment that has a "substantial" and "long term" negative effect on your ability to do normal everyday activities, that have existed for 12months or more, or likely to do so". Inspira recognise that some additional learning needs may be temporary due to illness or injury. In this case where the effects of the additional need have a substantial effect on the students’ ability to access learning at an appropriate level and make progress, additional learning support can still be provided.

RESPONSIBILTY

This policy covers all learners and all staff who are involved in providing learner guidance and support.

All learners will be encouraged to disclose their additional support needs before starting a course. The need for Learning Support will be captured through enrolment, initial assessment, the ILP process and ongoing monitoring of learners during the course.

All learners who identify additional support needs will be invited for a personal interview where appropriate where the learner can discuss and agree to a learning support plan. The Plan will document the type of support to be provided. Learning support will be provided on an appropriate basis which will include 1:1 support, group support, classroom support, specialist assessment, drop-in sessions, IT support and specialist equipment. Where necessary, staff will be on hand to assist, advise and support learners and provide induction sessions on the computers.

The plan will be monitored and reviewed regularly by both the learner and staff to ensure the support remains appropriate, relevant and is supporting progress towards agreed goals.

Free careers guidance will be available to all learners and prospective learners from a fully qualified and experienced Careers Adviser. Learners will be entitled to attend a personal interview and regular workshops. Our Careers Service holds the Matrix award.

Learners will be provided with information on additional grants where available.

All learners will receive regular and constructive feedback from tutors on their progress. Progress of learners will be clearly documented.

All learners will receive comprehensive advice on progression routes.

Basic Skills awareness training will be made available to all staff who require it.

When it is not possible for the Service to meet the support needs of a learner then, with the agreement of the learner, alternative provision will be considered and appropriate referrals made.

All learners will have the opportunity to evaluate the advice, guidance and support they have received.

Learning Support provided will be monitored regularly through contract meetings, line management meetings and staff supervision. Learner feedback and achievement data will form part of these discussions.

Subcontracted Provision

In subcontracted provision, partners must ensure that mechanisms are in place that capture the additional needs of students at both their starting points and on programme. Where appropriate, subcontractors should provide a range of support interventions that ensures students are not disadvantaged and can continue to learn and achieve at the same rate as their peers.

In instances where the subcontractors cannot provide the support required by students, this should be raised with Inspira at the earliest opportunity so that the best solution for the learner is identified in discussions with the learner. At any time during the subcontracted arrangement, Inspira will expect to receive a full understanding of the progress and achievement of learners in receipt of support in order to understand impact; this will be addressed as part of regular contract management, quality and due diligence meetings held throughout the length of the contract. The quality of additional learning support may also be considered in line with quality assurance measures agreed as part of due diligence.