The preparation for independent living study programme is for young people with SEND.

The Preparation for Life and Independent Living pathway has been designed to meet the needs of young people with SEND; preparing for a successful transition to independent or supported living.  Comprehensive, holistic assessments are carried out with each student, enabling teaching and support team to establish each individual’s starting point.  Students’ pre-existing knowledge and skills, baseline assessment results and long-term EHCP targets compose their personal success targets and accredited/non-accredited study.  The Preparation for Life and Independent Living curriculum focuses on preparing all students for a successful transition to adulthood and includes the main areas of the Preparation for Adulthood framework.  These include: Independent Living, Community Inclusion, Health and Wellbeing and Employability.  Sessions may be delivered from our Leigh College site, out in the community or from our Forest School site.  During the co-production phase of their learning programme, each student can select their preferred subjects, helping to create their own personalised timetable of learning and development activities.  Subjects are relevant to students’ interests and needs, thus enabling them to make progress towards achieving their long-term EHCP objectives. This programme will enable students to maximise their independence and support their transition and future quality of life by giving them an increased amount of control over their lives at home and in the community.   

Curriculum subjects may include: personal and social development, personal growth and wellbeing, skills for independence, Functional Skills maths and English, community learning, enrichment, Duke of Edinburgh and employability.  Learning activities stretch and challenge students to further enhance knowledge, skills and behaviours and make informed choices that will support the transition to their planned destination for the next year and ultimately, into adulthood. The aim of the programme is to utilise the students’ EHCP specific objectives by identifying realistic short, medium, and long-term accredited and non-accredited personal success targets that reflect each student’s aspirations. All programmes incorporate the Gatsby Benchmarks, helping students to develop an awareness of the world of work including relevant local and regional employment opportunities, where appropriate.  

Students will develop their independent living skills, enabling them to make decisions on where and how they would like to live in the future.  They will develop their understanding of bills, budgets, income, basic cooking, cleaning, household chores, time management, personal hygiene and maintaining a safe, healthy home and lifestyle.   

 
Students will develop their communication skills through a personalised programme, which may include the use of technology, communication aids, object of reference and signing, forming part of our Total Communication approach.  Students will develop sensory and exploratory skills as well as broadening the boundaries of their world by engaging with a wider range of activities and people. They will benefit from high levels of support, working in partnership with dedicated staff and/or specialist external professionals and equipment, to enable them to determine their most appropriate and effective strategies.   

Students will participate in regular CEIAG activities to develop knowledge and skills, whilst preparing them for their next steps.  Students will participate in enterprise activities and visits from external guest speakers and undertake internal job roles to help develop their understanding of employability, and their transition into independent living and adulthood. Furthermore, students will be informed of what support is available from external services and including emergency and health related.   

To support independence and keep students active and safe in the community they will be taught a range of topics focused on how to access and enjoy the community whilst demonstrating safe behaviours.  Students will also gain an awareness of PREVENT, RSE, online safety, County Lines, how to use the emergency services and how to form and maintain positive relationships with staff and their peers.   

Students will develop skills of general day to day health management by working with staff and specialist partners and participating in activities and discussions covering topics such as: managing their own health including accessing a GP and dentist, booking appointments, understanding healthy and unhealthy relationships, drug and alcohol awareness, consent, contraception, sexual health and relationships.   

Work-related learning activities are embedded throughout the Preparation for Life and Independent Living pathway, with students leading their own enterprise, thus developing skills in food safety, working as a team, turn-taking, patience, resilience, and customer service.  Students monitor and track their own progress and development through use of personal diaries and trackers and will attend trips and listen to guest speakers from various sectors.  Students will undertake enterprise work, internal job roles, and community-based activities.  Students will attend planned specific subject sessions, will work independently, with peers, or in small groups.