Starting a new placement is an important transition.
Our admissions process is designed to provide a clear, reassuring, and supportive experience for learners, families, carers, and professionals at every stage.
Who Can Make an Enquiry
Families, carers, young people, local authorities, social workers, EHCP professionals, and other involved professionals are welcome to contact us to discuss a potential placement. Where a learner has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), formal placement decisions are typically made in partnership with the relevant local authority.
Our provision may be suitable for:
- Young people aged 16 and over with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or those currently undergoing the EHCP assessment process.
- Learners who would benefit from a smaller, highly personalised learning environment.
- Learners requiring additional support with communication, independence, emotional wellbeing, and preparation for adulthood.
- Learners who have experienced difficulties engaging or progressing within larger or more mainstream educational settings.
For Professionals & Local Authorities
The Referral Steps
Initial Enquiry
Contact our team to discuss the learner’s current circumstances, individual needs, and the type of support they may require.
EHCP and Information Review
We review the learner’s EHCP and any relevant supporting documents to understand their identified outcomes, strengths, risks, and support needs.
Visit and Initial Discussion
The learner and their family or carers are invited to visit the college, meet the team, explore the environment, and ask any questions.
Suitability Assessment
We complete a personalised assessment to gain a fuller understanding of the learner’s educational needs, communication, independence, emotional wellbeing, and support requirements.
Placement Decision
Where the college can appropriately meet the learner’s needs, we work collaboratively with the learner, family, carers, and the local authority to agree the next steps.
Transition Planning
A personalised transition plan is developed to help the learner become familiar with the college, build confidence, and settle into their new placement with the appropriate support.
Start and Ongoing Review
Once the learner begins their placement, we regularly review their progress, confidence, wellbeing, and support arrangements to ensure their needs continue to be met.
Information to Support the Admissions Process
To help us understand the learner’s individual needs and determine how we can best support them, it is helpful to provide:
- The learner’s current Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
- Recent annual review reports and supporting documents.
- Relevant risk assessments, care plans, or support plans.
- Health, therapy, or positive behaviour support information, where applicable.
- Details of the learner’s communication needs and preferred methods of communication.
- Information about their current or previous education placements.
Visit the College
We warmly encourage learners, families, carers and professionals to visit the college wherever possible. A visit provides an opportunity to explore the environment, meet our team, ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of the support available. It can also help the learner feel more familiar, confident and prepared for the next stage of their journey.
Ready to Talk About Admissions
To make an enquiry or start a referral, please contact our admissions team. We will guide you through the next steps.