Supported Learning: Skills for Work and Employability

Skills for Work and Employability is an adult education programme designed specifically for learners aged 25 and over with SEND who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Delivered within the Supported Learning department, this course offers a flexible, person-centred curriculum grounded in the RARPA framework (Recognising and Recording Progress and Achievement).

The programme supports learners who are no longer on a formal qualification pathway but still benefit from structured learning opportunities focused on developing life skills, social communication, and work-readiness. It is especially suited for those seeking greater independence, structure, and routine in adult life.

Learners follow an individualised curriculum built around their EHCP outcomes, personal interests, and real-life goals. The course focuses on building transferable skills through engaging, practical, and social activities.

This course is exclusively for adults aged 25+ with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). There are no academic requirements for entry. It is designed for those who benefit from continued structured support to maintain or develop independence, social skills, and workplace preparation.

Assessment is ongoing, accessible, and personalised through the RARPA model. Each learner:

• Sets personal learning goals linked to their EHCP
• Tracks progress through journals, photos, group reflections, and tutor feedback
• Collects evidence of learning through practical tasks and social activities
• Reviews and celebrates achievements through learner voice activities and progress reviews

There are no formal exams or qualifications—progress is measured by individual development and personal achievement.

Adults - ENTRY LEVEL/LEVEL 2

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course, but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee.

Some courses have other additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Following completion, learners may progress to:

• Supported volunteering or work placements
• Community-based programmes
• Social enterprise or in-house microbusiness opportunities
• Increased independence in daily life
• Ongoing adult SEND provision as part of a lifelong learning pathway