South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Provision for learners with SEND

The SGS Total Support Guide is designed to provide timely, accessible and consistent support for learners at risk of not achieving or progressing, through a controlled and consistent range of support ‘access’ points.

It ensures academic and corporate staff are able to spot early warning signs and identify appropriate support options: pastoral and welfare support; additional learning support or academic and study skills support. The Total Support Guarantee is applicable to all funded FE and HE learners.

A variety of support is provided such as:

• Learning Support Workers in class
• Individual support from the English & Maths Skills Development Department
• Personal Learning Coaches (GCSE & A Level)
• Speech & Language Therapy
• Exam concessions
• Study Skills
• Exam preparation
• Mentoring
• Specialist support for hearing or vision impairments
• Support for learners with mobility difficulties
• Support for learners with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties
• Assistive technology
• Break and lunchtime support
• Personal care

In addition to the support outlined above we will also plan our support based on information in the EHCP through liaison with learners, parents / carers, staff and the local authority in conjunction with information gathered from external agencies and / or previous educational establishments.

All full-time learners have a personal tutor with whom they can discuss academic or pastoral issues and through the Total Support Guide (TSG), tutors can refer learners to a variety of support mechanisms. Learners can self-refer to their Wellbeing Mentor or Counsellor who can then, if necessary, refer them to external agencies.

Tutors ensure that the teaching and learning methods used are accessible by adjusting or differentiating them as appropriate. They will liaise with Learning Support Workers to ensure that support is targeted, effective and has impact on the learner’s experience and achievement.

Each curriculum area has a Wellbeing Mentor who is available to the learners. Wellbeing Mentors work collaboratively with personal tutors, other relevant staff and agencies, and learners to develop and implement agreed pastoral improvement and support plans in order to facilitate learner progress and achievement.

Foundation (Entry Level) learners receive additional tutorial time with their personal tutor to discuss academic and pastoral issues. Within the Entry Level provision this is very closely monitored and supported by curriculum staff and the Learning Support Department.

We have a robust Learner Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedure and Learner Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Procedure. and Safeguarding policies in place. More information is available from our website.

Staff Training & Qualifications

All staff undergo mandatory training in SEND, safeguarding, equality and diversity, data protection and relevant health and safety training.

Staff receive bespoke training for supporting individual learners with medical needs (epilepsy, administration of drugs etc.)

Specialists are brought in to deliver training for staff supporting visually and hearing-impaired learners.

A cross-college staff development plan is produced annually to ensure the college is able to maintain best practice and continuously improve the quality of the services it provides.

Specialist staff assessors and academic staff working within entry level provision and learning support have a range of qualifications and training as appropriate to their specific role.

These include: Master’s degree in special educational needs, post graduate certificate in education in inclusive learning, ASD training, training in social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, attachment disorder training and safeguarding training.

South Gloucestershire & Stroud College Local Offer (attached)