Making the transition to adulthood is not always straightforward for young people. The process is often even more complex for learners with special needs and disabilities (SEND), who face unique challenges and need purposeful support to assist them on their journey.
ASDAN specialises in supporting young people to develop the skills and qualities to learn for life.
With a wealth of knowledge of the SEND landscape, they are highly experienced in working with expert practitioners to create transition programmes that help young people prepare for adulthood.
ASDAN’s My Independence provision
My Independence is ASDAN’s flagship provision for those with special educational needs working from pre-Entry level to Entry level 3, with learning difficulty levels ranging from moderate through to profound and multiple.
The suite of four certificated programmes is designed around the four preparing-for-adulthood pathways, engaging young people with SEND in:
- developing friends and relationships and playing an active part in their communities
- looking after their health
- living independently
- preparing for employment
Powerful and engaging option
Focusing on young people’s aspirations, interests and needs, the courses guide the development of core personal and social skills, empowering students to achieve successful outcomes and pursue future ambitions.
The flexibility of the courses enables learner-centred goals to be identified, and teaching and learning approaches to be tailored to individual students’ needs, making them a powerful and engaging option for young people with a range of autistic spectrum needs.
ASDAN’s My Independence programme, Transforming Aspirations, learner record book
My Independence was produced in close collaboration with the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) and SEND practitioners, and has been designed to link closely with the Education Health and Care Plan process.
‘The flexibility enables our teachers to adapt the curriculum’
Jaswinder Kaur is the Deputy Principal at Parkwood Hall Co-operative Academy and a specialist autism practitioner.
She explains the importance of young people with SEND having aspirational pathways that are bespoke and enable them to grow both personally and socially:
“We selected ASDAN courses for our students who have a diagnosis of autism and learning disabilities as the flexibility enables our teachers to adapt the curriculum so students can achieve personal goals, work-related skills and realise a pathway to their independence.
“The courses have been very well received by our teachers, and parents have also seen the positive impact on their child’s progress. We highly recommend ASDAN’s courses as the results speak for themselves.”
‘Our nurture groups have thrived with My Independence’
Philip Bruton, Nurture Teacher at New Barn School, describes the positive effect My Independence has on its learners:
“We cater for pupils with high-functioning autism and our nurture groups have thrived with the use of My Independence. The courses have worked really well in collaboration with organising extra-curricular activities.
“The pupils have found it exciting to be part of organising trips outside of the classroom… It has also been massive to see them achieve a recognised certificate – for some students this has been a first-time achievement!”
Learn more
To learn more about My Independence:
www.asdan.org.uk/my-independence
0117 941 1126
info@asdan.org.uk
About ASDAN
ASDAN is an education charity and awarding organisation providing courses, accredited curriculum programmes and regulated qualifications to engage, elevate and empower young people aged 11 to 25 in greatest need.
