The Local Offer: Kidderminster College Setting Number

SEN and Disability

The Local Offer: Kidderminster College

Setting Number: UPIN 107111

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COLLEGE SETTING

Name and Address Kidderminster College Market Street Kidderminster Worcs DY10 1AB

Telephone Number 01562 820811

Website Address www.kidderminster.ac.uk

What age range of 14-16 learners attend as partlearners does the of a schools’ partnershipcollege setting provision, with the main agecater for? range being 16+.

Name and contact Di WIllettsdetails of the College Learning Support and Equalities ManagerLearning 01562 512069Support lead [email protected]

The Local Offer

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INTRODUCTION

We are a general further education college based in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire. We are known for our ethos of respect, as well as our supportive culture.

The College’s continuing focus is on learners’ needs and is the ‘driver’ in everything we do. We are realistic in what we can provide and avoid making promises we cannot keep.

Our ‘can do’ approach ensures that learners’ challenges are dealt with in a positive way, with the aim of overcoming barriers wherever possible.

The following information highlights the range of support that can be provided to our learners.

The Local Offer

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ACCESSIBILITY & INCLUSION

WHAT KIDDERMINSTER COLLEGE PROVIDES · PAGE 1 OF 4

· Modern and up-to-date building design that is fully wheelchair accessible.· Lifts to all floors.· Area for safe drop-off close to the rear entrance.· All of our toileting facilities comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.· Automatic doors to the outside at the main entrance.· Communication systems at all refuge points for safe emergency evacuation of the building.· A personal evacuation plan for appropriate learners.· Braille and accessible signage/language throughout including the lifts.· Open-plan atrium area which promotes inclusivity at break and lunch times.· TV monitors around the College displaying up-to-date information.· Access is regularly reviewed and monitored at the College.· Any issues highlighted during monitoring processes are dealt with immediately or in an appropriate timescale.· The College is audited on an annual basis.· Information available on the College intranet, website (www.kidderminster.ac.uk) and in a variety of formats upon request.· Height-adjustable tables can be provided in classrooms and study areas.· Support practitioners provide a wide range of support including personal care when appropriate.

· Range of adaptive assistive technology, including: · Dolphin text-to-speech software · Voice recognition software · My Study Bar and other Jisc TechDis promoted technology · Accessible keyboards · Digital voice recorders · All additional reasonable requests are considered.

· Laptops and/or Netbooks made available to learners on an identified needs/loan basis.

· Other specialist equipment, such as · Specialist keyboards and other hardware · Coloured overlays · Coloured screen overlays · Coloured ruler bars · Coloured paper · Writing boards · Talking jugs · Talking measuring scales · A range of other specialist equipment can be provided for those with sensory impairments following specialist assessment of need.

SEN and DisabilityThe Local Offer

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· The provision of individual specialist resources based on student need can always be discussed prior to enrolment - please contact Di Willetts or Lisa Bradbury-Knight on 01562 512069.

· Details of accessibility can be found on the Kidderminster College website.

· Regular communications, such as the Learner Voice, Facebook, Twitter and other methods keep learners up-to-date on important issues and offer the means to communicate important messages to others across the College.

· The College offers a broad range of programmes at a variety of levels, with learners placed on an appropriate level of study to support progression, taking into account diagnostic levels of English and Maths, GCSE results, interview and previous experience and/or training.

· Examples of vocational programmes are: Uniformed Public Services, Health and Social Care, Childcare, Travel and Tourism, Hair and Beauty, Electrotechnical Studies, IT, Games Design, Creative Industries including Creative and Media Studies, Acting, Stage Make-up etc, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Motor Vehicle programmes, Business, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Horse Care.

· A comprehensive list and description of programmes available can be found on the College website; if preferable, College prospectuses are available from Learner Services and on-line.

· Foundation programmes of learning are offered from pre-entry through to Level 1, focusing on literacy and numeracy, employability skills, independent living skills and personal progress/development. Information is available in the prospectus, the College website and from Learner Services.

· Initial/diagnostic assessment is used to assist in the identification of an appropriate level of programme on entry.

· All full-time vocational programmes include opportunities for learners to further develop their literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge, with the aim of progressing eventually to GCSE English and Maths or Level 2 functional skills in English and Maths over a period of time, in line with current Government policy. Full-time study programmes are between 570 and 600 hours across 3 terms. Study hours and days depend on the course chosen.


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· The College offers a range of support for learners on programmes of study, including 1:1, small group, in-class support, mentoring, counselling, working with a learners with wide range of difficulties and disabilities. We also support learners during lunch and break times where appropriate.

· When considering the most appropriate course to suit a learner, the College works with tutors to identify areas where the learner may have difficulties accessing and completing elements of the curriculum, then work together to provide solutions where possible.

· The College uses a range of specialist resources to make the curriculum more accessible to learners with disabilities and difficulties. Staff are trained to promote independent working wherever possible.

· The College provides a team of well qualified and experienced teaching staff with a range of specialist knowledge, including autism/asperger’s syndrome, severe and moderate learning difficulties, who also have vocational experience in performing arts, cookery, horticulture, animal care and creative industries, for example.

· The College works closely with external specialist organisations, using a multi-agency approach to provide relevant and appropriate supported work experience programmes to support learner development. All full-time Foundation students have supported work experience opportunities built into the curriculum offer. In addition, the College can offer supported Internship programmes where possible.

· Staff training days provide opportunities to develop staff skills on a regular basis. Internal and external training programmes are designed to meet specific and identified needs of individual teaching and support staff teams.

· The College observation, walk-through and performance review systems demonstrate that quality of delivery is at the forefront of everything we do. Tutors work closely with the Learning Support department to minimise the impact of learning difficulties and disabilities and provide suitable adjustments to overcome these. For example, coloured paper is provided for learners with scotopic sensitivity; large font size on handouts is provided for those with visual or learning difficulties; use of specialist equipment is available for learners with hearing impairments.


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· Methods of teaching are adapted to ensure that all learners are able to access the curriculum. For example, the use of images and text, taped interviews, music, guest speakers, trips and visits, etc are provided to enhance learning.

· Support in exams in the form of readers/scribes/extra time, rest breaks, read-aloud facilities, etc. is provided to learners whose needs have been assessed and applications accepted by the examination boards.

· The College policy covering trips and visits, has a focus on safety of learners and staff. Learners are required to complete a health questionnaire and parental/guardian consent is required for learners below 18 years of age or those classed as vulnerable adults. The College tutors carry out risk assessments to ensure that safety levels are maintained on all trips and visits.

The Local Offer

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PROGRESS MONITORING AND REVIEW


· Learner progress monitoring takes place on a continuous basis, with formal parents’ evenings and the production of reports forming the main communication methods for all 16-18 year olds and vulnerable adults.

· In the area of learning development, the individual learning plan is regularly reviewed and revised individual learning targets are set. These main targets and objectives are broken down into appropriate lesson targets to support learners to achieve their overarching individual learning targets. Learning Support Practitioners review progress in the context of support and action plan accordingly in order to support the identified curriculum targets.

The Local Offer

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SAFEGUARDINGWHAT KIDDERMINSTER COLLEGE PROVIDES · PAGE 1 OF 1

· Kidderminster College is committed to improving the well-being of children and young people ensuring that they are adequately protected from harm. A set of basic principles have been adopted, as follows:

· Children and young people will be protected from emotional, physical and sexual abuse and neglect by agencies effectively working together.

· Children and young people will be protected from accidental harm and preventable death by agencies working effectively together.

· Policies and procedures are in place to effectively safeguard children and young people who experience bullying and steps will be taken to reduce the incidence and impact.

· Children and young people will benefit from quality services, provided by staff that are recruited using safe recruitment practices and appropriately trained.

· Agencies will work together to provide support for children and young people who have suffered harm.

· Children and young people will be offered information to enable them to keep themselves safe in the home, at college and in the community.

· The wider College community will have an understanding about how to recognise concerns about children and young people and be informed about what action to take.

· Incident reporting / disclosure is initiated via a safeguarding concern log which is completed by any member of the wider College community that has reason to believe that there may be indications (mentioned or observed) that an individual may be in a situation of being subjected to harm.

The Local Offer

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SAFEGUARDINGCOLLEGE PROCEDURES · PAGE 1 OF 1

· The College has a well-established system for supporting learners with safeguarding issues. Five nominated members of staff within the College have responsibility for safeguarding in adherence to The Children Act 2004.

· The Divisional designated lead for safeguarding is Anna Place, who is a member of the College’s Senior Management Team.

· Safeguarding is ‘everybody’s’ responsibility and, therefore, everyone should know who to contact if they are concerned about a child or young person. A concern log can be completed by any member of the wider College community who has cause to be concerned that a young person or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm. This is then passed to a member of the designated safeguarding team. These designated members of staff are specially trained and regularly updated to ensure they:

· know how to make an appropriate referral. · can complete the necessary investigations and referrals to partner agencies as appropriate. · will be able to provide advice and support to other staff on issues relating to child protection. · are aware of their particular responsibility to be available to listen to young people studying at the college. · will be able to deal with individual cases, including attending case conferences and review meetings as appropriate

· A nominated member of the team attends termly FE focused meetings at the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB) and reports back developments to the other designated safeguarding team members.

· The College has a pick up and drop off area directly in front of the main entrance, together with nominated disabled parking spaces in a pay-and-display zone. For learners with a handover requirement, support staff are able to meet learners in an appropriate area within the main College foyer, further to relevant negotiation.

· Support staff can remain with learners during breaks and lunchtimes where such support is required. The level of this support is identified during pre-enrolment discussions or during induction.

· During all activities outside the classroom, an individual’s support requirements are reassessed and adapted to meet their safeguarding needs; this includes locations within and external to the College, such as on trips, visits, work placements, etc.

· Risk assessments are conducted for teaching and other areas within the College; where a learner requires an individual risk assessment due to a disability or other reason, the procedure is the same and will include the identification of risks, methods of minimising or overcoming these and any specialist fire or other safety requirements, including training to use specialist equipment.

· College policies can be accessed by learners via the College’s intranet system. Upon request, College policies can be provided for other parties and these can be adapted into a variety of formats where requested.

The Local Offer

11The Local Offer

WELL BEING (INCLUDING PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH)


· The College has a strong ethos of treating all learners, staff and visitors with respect. We are a College community that is free from discrimination and welcomes its diversity. The College takes account of the needs of all its learners, whether that is due to a learning difference, a disability or other diverse needs. The College is committed that every learner is valued, supported and respected. We welcome and celebrate all learners’ unique abilities and experiences as well as actively encouraging full participation in all aspects of college life. We will provide a safe learning environment, that is free from prejudice and discrimination.

· The College is proactive in managing allegations of bullying and harassment. Learners are welcome to approach staff members if they have a particular concern. All allegations are investigated with appropriate action taken which may include mediation, counselling, and where necessary disciplinary action. Information is recorded and reported to senior managers. Cases are dealt with promptly so as to minimise the distress bullying/harassment can cause and the effect this may have on learning.

· The College is committed to achieving the highest reasonably practicable standard of health, safety and welfare for our learners, employees and visitors to the College.

· The College has a team of first aiders providing first aid to learners, staff and guests/visitors where required.

· There is appropriate and statutory first aid cover to meet the needs of the organisation.

· First aid kits are strategically located around the College and are accessible.

· Key staff members are trained in the use of a defibrillator which is readily accessible.

· Learners are accompanied on off-site visits and trips by first-aid trained support staff.

· Wherever possible prior to enrolment, discussions with parents, guardians and carers take place to identify the support needs of an individual learner. This includes medical and health support needs. Tutors and relevant support staff are included in decisions on the best way to support a learner. Learners (or parents/ guardians/carers) are requested to provide permission to share the information with relevant staff to ensure that their needs can be met effectively. Where needed, staff who are required to provide support in the form of personal care are trained by the learners’ appropriate external agencies before working with the specific learner.

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WELL BEING (INCLUDING PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH)


· The College respects the right to privacy and learners have the right not to disclose information.

· Staff in Learner Services and the Learning Support Practitioner Team are trained to offer mentoring and counselling to learners.

· There are a range of external sports and social groups which focus on the emotional health and wellbeing of learners with difficulties and disabilities and information on such groups can be provided. The College works closely with the local Self-Advocacy programme and provides supported weekly sessions for appropriate learners.

· The induction is designed to welcome learners to the College and offers a range of fun and educational activities to promote a positive transition into further education.

· The College works with a range of providers to ensure, where reasonable, that residential trips and visits are made accessible to those with learning difficulties and disabilities. Support is made available to minimise any access barriers, where this is realistic, reasonable and appropriate. Service providers that are able to meet the needs of SEN learners are chosen above others, where this is possible. The main focus of the College is to ensure that all learners have access to the same learning and development opportunities where reasonably possible.

· The College works closely with a range of external agencies to promote learner and staff health and wellbeing, such as the Local Authority, Integrated Services for FE/HE, CAMHS, Neuro-developmental Pathways, Social Services, Speech and Language, paediatric and adult physiotherapy, Occupational Health and Adult Mental Health Teams, etc. Where additional health or therapy sessions are required by learners, the College will liaise with relevant specialists, to identify opportunities to support these needs where possible, for example, through the offer of accommodation, human and/or physical resources, etc.

The Local Offer

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COMMUNICATIONWHAT KIDDERMINSTER COLLEGE PROVIDES · PAGE 1 OF 1

· Learner/parent agreements may be established where appropriate, particularly in the event of an individual experiencing difficulties in reaching their targets and progressing through the course – each situation is treated on an individual basis.

· The Learner Council meets twice per term and all learners are invited to attend to raise issues or have their say; Learner Representatives attend meetings on behalf of each full-time course and take forward issues raised by their peers; Learner Council ideas/ issues are considered at management level and appropriate intervention/action takes place; the resulting “You said - we did” document records and feeds back to learners on actions taken and information is provided at the following Learner Council meeting.

· All learners have the opportunity to join the Students’ Union, which provides an additional forum to influence and drive decisions and changes across the College.

· Parents/carers are encouraged to attend Open Evenings to discuss any matters of concern, or alternatively to contact the tutor to make an appointment. The College complaints procedure offers the opportunity for parents/carers to further any issues of concern which they feel have not been dealt with effectively by tutors and other staff.

· Any Equality and Diversity-related issues are logged and responded to, following the accepted procedure.

Learner Feedback Questionnaire•Tellusmoreaboutappropriatebehaviour,howyou’llhandlecomplaintsandsafety...

•WelistenedtoyouandputthisinformationinthenewLearnerServicesDVDLearner Voice Strategy•HowcanwebepartoftheLearnerVoiceStrategy?•ThestrategyhasbeendevelopedwithourlearnersandcirculatedacrosstheCollege

Volunteering Opportunities•Howdowefindoutmoreaboutvolunteering?•There’snowanewnoticeboardinthelearnerrecreationalareatotellyouaboutthe

latestvolunteeringopportunitiesLearners participating in DVD•HowabouttheLearnerServicesDVD?We’dliketohearmorefromrealstudents

•Weworkedcloselywithstudentreps,andsomeofyouarenowstarringinthelatestDVD!Road Safety Pilot•ItwouldbegreattohavesomethinghighlightingPersonalSafety•WejoinedupwithWorcestershireRoadSafetyAwarenessPartnershipandranapilot

PersonalSafetyeventinPublicServicesinJuneVLE•InformationintheCollege’sVLEistoocomplicated•Welistenedtoyourfeedback,andthere’snowanewVLEwithsimplerinformation

andmoreimages

Catering Tender•Canwehavemoresayaboutthefood?•Weaskedlearnerstofeedbacktousthroughaquestionnaireaboutcateringandalearner

representativetookpartintheappointmentprocesstochoosethenewcateringfirm

YOU SAID WE DID!

The Local Offer

14The Local Offer

WHAT HELP AND SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR THE FAMILY?


· Kidderminster College has held Matrix Accreditation since 2003. This is the quality standard for the provision of Advice and Guidance.

· Assistance can be provided to complete application, enrolment and learning agreement forms at any time. Parents should contact Learner Services on 01562 512003. The Learner Services Team is also on hand to provide advice and guidance and help with information on a whole range of subjects, including travel, finance, bursaries and maintenance allowances. The team act as the first point of contact regarding any query. Specific cases will be referred to relevant staff, where appropriate.

· For learners on Foundation Programmes, who have specific learning difficulties and disabilities, the College can liaise with transport providers in the event of any queries or issues. For mandatory on-course transport requirements, the College will provide suitable transportation.

· The Bursary Fund supports learners by providing a sum of money to assist them with the additional costs of a programme of study (such as textbooks, uniform, trips and visits), subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

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TRANSITION TO AND FROM COLLEGE


· For a number of years, the College has worked closely with local schools and other organisations to enable a smooth transition into College.

· The College’s Learning Support Manager and/or relevant colleague meets with the support teams for the main feeder schools and specialist schools to identify the support needs of learners and discuss how best to promote positive transition into College life. Where possible, members of the Learning Support Team meet with individual parents carers/guardians throughout the year and visit the learners’ current schools to carry out further assessment, if required and appropriate.

· Relevant staff attend local transition events, particularly in the area of Foundation learning.

· Taster sessions are offered to potential learners who would like to find out more about their chosen course or who want to use experiences to help them make the best decisions on their progression.

· Monthly interview opportunities offer prospective students and parents/carers the opportunity to find out more about courses, meet staff and discuss queries and/or concerns as well as complete formal interviews. Representatives from the support team can be available, on prior request, to discuss individual cases and provide general guidance on available support.

· In advance of either interview or starting a course, the College is happy to arrange for an individual tour of the building and meet relevant staff where possible, on request.

· The College offers a range of specialist Foundation programmes from pre-entry upwards, which provide excellent progression opportunities for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. Learners who have the necessary skills to progress onto mainstream vocational programmes are encouraged to do so, with relevant support. All decisions are based on individual needs and circumstances, to promote the best chance for a learner to achieve their potential. All progressing learners are encouraged to become more independent in their learning, where appropriate and reasonable.

· The College’s application and admissions process provides opportunities for sharing information about support requirements and these are followed up on an individual basis, in order to identify and prepare for needs prior to starting a programme of study.

· Learners will receive appropriate advice and guidance on a range of specific issues.

The Local Offer

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· All full-time learning programmes include opportunities to develop the fundamental skills of English, Maths and IT in preparation for progression into work and/or apprenticeships or a higher level programme of learning.

· Advice and Guidance on the most appropriate courses for a learner’s chosen destination is provided and the College has established and proven links with a wide variety of employers in the area.

· The College is also in the privileged position to have a one stop jobs hub called the Point, which has been developed in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Business Central. This facility provides College students and other members of the public with first class hands on advice and guidance, regarding opportunities for progression into Apprenticeships and other employment. The College offers a wide range of Apprenticeship programmes across a number of areas, and works closely with other partners in the local area, including the Worcestershire Training Providers’ Association, to support College learners into Apprenticeships that it does not directly deliver itself. For further details please contact Jennie Ellis on 01562 512099, or email [email protected].

· Work placements are an integral part of most full time programmes of study – the College has formed links with a variety of external organisations to develop excellent and appropriate opportunities for advancement and progression.

· The College works in partnership with Worcestershire County Council, who provide advice, guidance and assistance with supported living and employment to those with specific disabilities.

· Careers Fairs, group careers talks and 1:1 advice and guidance are provided as part of the College offer for all students. This provision can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual.

· Many of the full-time courses offered at Kidderminster College include units of study which focus on career opportunities within specific vocational areas, such as public services, travel and tourism, business, etc. These provide an in-depth insight into potential careers within different industries and sectors within these industries. The College can provide examples of learners who enter the College with limited knowledge of their chosen field, who, through their learning, discover exciting new opportunities for progression.

The Local Offer

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PENNY POSTALThe small buzz you feel when youget a Facebook notification only tofind you have been tagged in avideo. Three guesses what youhave to play a part in now. Thatdreaded feeling you get when yourealise you so called best friend hasnominated you for the ice bucketchallenge. These Facebook crazescome and go like the great Britishsummer itself.

The ice bucket challenge hascertainly made a splash! Yourdonations to the cause have raisedover £100 million. It goes withoutsaying that there challenges arecreating a huge difference.

However it has been saidthis is very likely to be ashort term thing. As crazesare said to be. ALS is aheart wrenching thing toboth go through and watchsomeone you love go

If you have not heard of the icebucket challenge (unlikely!) then itinvolves a willing suspect and abucket of ice that is thrown overtheir head to be followed by highpitched screams and perhaps someswearing if your name is Charlieand you’re three years old fromWalsall!

through it. It is a neurodegenerativedisease that affects nerve cells in the brainand the spinal cord. In the end may takeour loved one after a lot of painful fighting.It is whether you agree to disagree, a greatway to have raised money and awarenessof the disease. Now you know what you aresplashing around for, carry on! Don’t forgetto donate!

“I nominate!..”

PERSONAL STATEMENT CHECKING DAY!TUESDAY 21 OCT 201410AM-NOON AND 1PM-3.30

The Local Offer



· Open Evenings offer the opportunity for prospective learners, parents/carers to meet teaching and other staff members involved in teaching and development, such as managers and support staff. College learners are also on hand to provide a friendly welcome.

· There is a learner-managed bulletin (Penny Postal) which provides an opportunity for learners to promote ideas, charities, comments, etc.

· Reception staff are trained to divert calls to appropriate members of staff.

· Parents/carers can make an appointment at any time to meet with staff during the academic year.

· Throughout the academic year, the College holds events, such as open days, charity and recognition events such as celebration days, etc.

· Progress reports are sent to parents/carers/guardians to inform on progress.

· Learners have the opportunity for individual performance and progress reviews across the academic year which include individual target setting.

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ENRICHMENT / ADDITIONALITY


· The College Theatre hosts our learner production programme throughout the academic year.

· Aspens Café on the Terrace offers communal eating areas for learners and staff, providing an ideal and convenient social space..

· The Elements salon is a luxurious facility for Hairdressing, Beauty and Complementary therapies. These commercial salons and treatment rooms are open to learners and the public to book in for a range of treatments.

· Sport and Exercise learners, as well as the College community, have access to high quality sports facilities at a local leisure centre which is a short journey from the College. Learners who access this facility are supported by both Kidderminster College and leisure centre staff.

· A calendar of enrichment events are held each year. These have included: Internet Safety Awareness, Black History Month, International Autism Awareness, Holocaust awareness, Anti-Bullying week, Remembrance Day, No Smoking events and a range of health awareness promotions.

· Trips and visits form an integral part of many full-time courses. These are designed to be inclusive and the learner support team and learner support fund are available to ensure that learners have adequate opportunities to take part, wherever possible and reasonable.

· The Learning Support department and curriculum areas work closely together to identify barriers to inclusion of any form and take steps to remedy these wherever possible, practicable and reasonable.

· The College works with other providers and pathways such as the National Careers Service, the National Citizens’ Service, the Citizens’ Advice Service, Continu Plus Academy, the Engage Team, Mencap, the Smoking Cessation Service, The Princes Trust and other national charities.

The Local Offer

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ENRICHMENT / ADDITIONALITY


· College induction programmes include ice breakers and specific activities to help new learners form friendships and become confident in their interaction with their peer group.

· Inter-programme working promotes confidence and the development of further communication skills; for example, foundation learners work with sports learners to learn sports skills and techniques from other points of view; beauty therapy learners work with hairdressing learners to promote an awareness of how the two industries complement each other, supported by learners on Music Technology and Media programmes who provide the technical expertise and skills to support the the events; enterprise activities take place where learners design and develop products for sale, raising money for charities.

KIDDERMINSTER COLLEGE IS PROUD OF THE CARING AND SUPPORTIVE ETHOSWHICH UNDERLINES EVERYTHING WE DO.

The Local Offer

Documents

The Local Offer: Kidderminster College Setting Number