Post 18 / 19 Pathways

Why might it be of interest?

Specialist colleges run a range of courses for our post 18/19 young people with a range of titles – they call these different course ‘Pathways’.  Which might be a bit confusing when you are new to this world.

This is just a bit of an overview of what course titles / pathways you might see and what sort of things you can expect them to cover.  This might be especially helpful when your young person has completed a 2 or 3 year course and is considering which course to do next.

While having an EHCP enables a young person to remain in education until the academic year they turn 25 that might not actually happen and they may find themselves finishing their education at 22 or 23.  The main reason this might happen is that when they finish one course there isn’t another suitable course for them to do.  And if they have been deemed to have met the outcomes of their current course they will not be allowed to repeat it.

If you understand what courses are similar despite different titles or are different despite similar titles you might be able to identify a suitable course at a different college.  Of course, your young person may be quite ready to complete their education before you’re ready for it!

I have looked at the websites of several specialist colleges to gather this information.

Post 18 / 19 Specialist College Course Titles / Pathways

• Not all colleges offer courses at all levels
• Some colleges have a specific focus, eg arts, environment, outdoor skills

I have tried to group these titles / pathways into groups where the offering is very similar but there are still variations of levels in each of these groupings.  There may be a single pathway or a group of 2 or 3 courses in a pathway.  It’s not always clear what the differences are between courses on a specific pathway.

It may be that these small differences are what enable you to enrol your young person on a similar course but at a different college.

I would recommend that you contact colleges you are interested in directly, attend open days, etc.  And do this well ahead of the course your young person is currently on finishing.

Engagement for Life

Nurture Programme

 For learners with complex needs – physical, sensory and cognitive

• Supporting students to access the world around them
• High staff ratios
• Meaningful activities

Aims

• Making progress towards EHCP outcomes
• Supporting transition to life after college

Foundation Skills for Life

Skills for Life

Life and Living

Independent Living Course

Life Skills

Foundation Learning

Learning for Life

• Preparing for adulthood: good health, independent living, employment, friends and relationships
• For young people requiring additional support
• Bespoke programme including vocational taster sessions; accessing the community; getting involved in volunteering; developing independence skills in a real-life setting – which could include short breaks if appropriate
• Laying the foundation for independence and inclusion
• Focussing on skills that translate directly to daily living
• Development of functional literacy and numeracy skills
• Accessing a wide range of community activities
• Developing basic practical skills in cleaning, cooking, etc
• Usually working at entry level 2 or below

Aims

• Gaining real life independent living skills; accessing work experience (if appropriate); growing your circle of friends and support network
• To build skills needed to live more independently and engage meaningfully in community life
• Some students may be working towards living skills and functional skills certificates
• Students may go on to further courses at a specialist college; a local college course; into supported living; voluntary work

Skills for Work and Living

Skills for Work and Learning

Work and Independence

• Preparing for adulthood: good health, independent living, employment, friends and relationships
• Taking part in vocational programmes in areas that interest you
• Support for maths and english
• Developing skills for the world beyond college
  • Employment
  • Mainstream education
  • Independent living
• Students may already have some basic practical skills and are looking to build on them

Aims

• Taking part in vocational taster sessions; getting involved in volunteering; getting work experience; achieving appropriate accreditation; getting a personalised job-ready pack; growing your circle of friends and support network
• Understanding work and building workplace routines and behaviours
• Managing money

Pathway to Employment

 A programme to explore and gain skills for employment

• You spend time at college and in a work placement
• Promote independent living skills

Aims

Working with a teaching team and a job coach to support you with work preparation and employability skills, including maths and english, to lead to employment, apprenticeship, further vocational courses, supported internships

Supported Internships

 A programme to develop skills and gain qualifications to enter paid employment

• Applicants may need to be working at entry level 3 or above
• Usually for one year, 5 days a week
• Mostly at the work placement
• Some classroom time around maths, english, employability skills

Aims

By the end you will gain a range of transferable job skills

Vocational Pathways

• Mainstream vocational programmes with additional support from specialist staff (West Thames College / Ambitious)
• Matching your interest or career ambitions
• Or at specialist colleges offering courses enabling students to explore vocational options
• Likely that students are aiming for employment
• May have already taken part in work experience
• Courses at specialist colleges aimed at students working at entry level 2
• Specific vocational training where students know their career path – students working at entry level 3

Skills levels, for reference

Entry Level Learning levels:

• Entry level qualifications recognise basic knowledge and skills and the ability to apply learning in everyday situations under direct guidance or supervision
• Skills at this level are not usually geared towards specific occupations
• Entry level qualifications are about 2 steps below GCSE
• Level 1 qualifications are equivalent to the lower grades of GCSE
• Level 2 qualifications are equivalent to the higher GCSE grades

Another way to get a feel for the level is:

• Year 1 is roughly equal to Entry Level 1
• Y2 & Y3 is roughly equal to Entry Level 2
• Y4 & Y5 is roughly equal to Entry Level 3

Entry level 1 maths:  usually the level for students with SLD

• Add and subtract numbers up to 20
• Recognise shapes like triangles and rectangles
• User terms like above, below, left and right

Entry level 1 english:

• Read an advert or an email that has about 60 words and then answer questions.
• Order letters of the alphabet
• Write a short note to a friend
• Choose the right spelling from a list (e.g. stope, stop or stopp)
• Use capital letters for names and to start sentences