Tailored Support and Pathways
There is a range of specialised programmes available and before starting college, staff from the SEND team will meet the young person and their parents/carers to assess their current level of ability and achievements. They will discuss their learning needs and hopes for the future to set up their individual educational package.
For those seeking employment, the department has a range of pathways which enable students to advance to an appropriate placement to support them to progress to their longer-term goals.
The SEND team also offers information, advice and guidance on learning support needs to parents/carers and professionals.
To find out more about this process, please click one of the options below.
Young Person – With special educational needs and disabilities.
Do you want to live independently in the future?
Do you want to do a college course in your favourite subject?
Do you want to learn skills to help you get a job?
Whatever you want to do, the college’s Futures programme can help you by developing your abilities and teaching you important life skills.
You’ll learn about money, shopping and cooking, how to travel safely on public transport, and how to live healthily and use leisure facilities, as well as how to communicate with other people and make new friends.
When you decide to come to college a tutor will meet with you and your parent/carer to find out what your hopes are for the future and what your individual needs are.
After this meeting the tutor will decide which what course is best for you and you will be invited into college to have a look around and meet some of the other students who will be on your course.
Parent/Carer – Of a young person with special educational needs and disabilities.
Whether you are aiming for your son or daughter to live in a residential or supported living setting, do a course or get a job, the college’s Futures programme can help. Students will learn important life skills – such as money and shopping, using public transport, accessing leisure facilities, leading a healthy lifestyle and how to make friends and communicate with others – to help them move towards living as independently as possible in the future.
When you and your son/daughter have decided that college is the right place for them, a member of the SEND team will meet with you to assess their current level of ability and achievements, discuss their hopes for the future and their individual learning needs.
Following the meeting the SEND team will set up an individual educational package for your son/daughter and you will be invited to meet tutors and support workers and find out about what life at college is like.
Our Pathways Explained
Preparation for Independence
These courses are designed for students with complex learning needs with the aim of developing core skills to prepare them for an independent active life living in a supported or residential setting.
Preparation for work – Volunteering and Community
This course aims to develop skills, knowledge, and behaviour, against students targets on their Educational Health Care Plans. It will Develop independent and employability skills to prepare students for the opportunity to volunteer or participate in community activities.
Progression to work
The progression to work pathway is designed for young people working between Entry Level 3 and Level 1, aiming to prepare them for employment in the future.
Progression to vocational learning
The vocational pathway is designed for young people working between Entry Level 3 and Level 1, aiming to prepare them for further vocational study.
Level 2 and above
For students who are working at Level 2 and above who may require learning support, please click the link below to find out more.
What our Students and Parents say…
We have noticed such a significant difference in Anil as an individual, his personality, but most importantly he is very safe at the college. The team have been brilliant, and communicate what Anil has undertaken on a daily basis. They have certainly excelled our expectations.
Hari Harrar – parent of Anil Harrar studying Horizon 1
Futures News
Students complete six week placement at Weston Park
Our Future Foundation students have completed a fantastic six-week placement at Weston Park
During their time there, they built valuable skills in gardening and housekeeping, gaining hands-on experience in a real working environment.
Well done to everyone involved, a great step towards growing confidence, independence and future career opportunities!
Students share end of term achievements
To mark the end of term, students on our Future Foundation and Supported Internship programmes gathered to share their success stories.
It was wonderful to hear the students speak confidently about overcoming challenges during their recent work placements and community projects.
We were delighted to welcome the chief executive and head of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, who joined us to celebrate the students’ achievements and hear their inspiring journeys first-hand.
Our visit to Lichfield Cathedral
Our Future Foundation students recently visited Lichfield Cathedral to bring their classroom studies to life!
After learning about various faiths, the trip was a wonderful opportunity to deepen their understanding and reflect on the importance of respect within our community.
Soljet construction support work experience
Thank you to Soljet construction for supporting our Future Foundation students as they gain hands-on experience in the construction industry!
Our learners recently helped design a new training centre, where they visited the site to understand its layout and received direct mentorship from industry professionals. By using 3D modelling and AI design software to bring their ideas to life, our students are gaining the skills needed for the future of construction.
National Careers week visitors
As part of National careers week we welcomed the team from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to speak with our Futures (SEND) and Uniformed Public Services students.
Our students stepped into the shoes of prosecutors for the day, reviewing evidence and deciding on charges across four case studies. The CPS team were highly impressed by the thoughtful analysis and reasoning each group showed.
Thank you to the CPS for an inspiring workshop!
Congrats to our student winner of the ‘Granded Wheels’ competition!
Huge congratulations to Vikram Kainth from our Independent Living Foundation A group, who has been named the Post-16 winner in the pdnet ‘Grandad Wheels’ design competition.
Students were tasked with designing an exciting new wheelchair for Grandad. Vikram’s fantastic design was chosen from a record 160 entries, and he will receive a gift voucher for winning his age category.
The judging panel, which included Grandad Wheels himself, were incredibly impressed by the effort and imagination shown by everyone who took part.
Well done also to Rania Wali, Asadil Gondal, Lydia Jackson, Bailey-James Hill, and Noor Waseem, who will all receive certificates, alongside a group award for our Volunteering and Community Foundation students.
Students complete placement at Mount Hotel
Our Future Foundation students have just finished a six-week placement at Mount Hotel Country Manor Tettenhall.
They’ve gained valuable real-world experience, building essential teamwork and communication skills along the way.
Thank you to The Mount Hotel for supporting our students as they prepare for the workplace.
Students Gear Up for Live Project with Soljet Construction
Futures students win first place in Christmas Card competition
Celebrating Success: Students Finish Central Co-op Placement with Confidence
Students Celebrate Christmas Jumper Day
Staying on Track: Students Learn Railway Safety
He covered essential advice on track dangers, level crossings and staying safe at stations.
A brilliant, engaging session – thanks, Manny!
Inclusive Futures: Students Thrive in Work Readiness Accelerator Programme
Nine learners took part, building skills in customer service, stock control and gardening, while developing confidence, communication and teamwork.
A big thank you to Central Co-op and Kingswood Trust for offering such valuable opportunities and helping create a more inclusive future.
Celebrating Black History Month!
Students Prepare Kingswood for Young Explorers
Spooktacular Success! Students Raise £52 with Halloween Stall
Students Gain Real-World Skills with Barclays Bank
Students raise £344 for Macmillan Cancer Support
Students Turn Creativity into Campus Merchandise
Students Shine at the Study Hub
Graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted
“The curriculum is clear in its purpose and is ambitious for all learners, including those with education, health and care plans (EHCPs). As a result, learners develop skills, knowledge and behaviours which enable them to be successful in the future.”
OFSTED Inspection report – March 2023