Learning Support

Learner support is available for learners living with disabilities, impairments, mental health conditions or neuro-diverse conditions to access and complete a course.

Support can be offered in a variety of ways to ensure that you are able to take full advantage of opportunities available.

If you have an additional need, such as a hearing impairment or a neuro-diverse condition such as dyslexia, support can be provided in the classroom or online.

Financial support towards the cost of your course may also be available if you are experiencing hardship.

The Learner Support Team:

• offers information and can discuss with you the level of support you require
• arranges for specialist equipment, support, and resources to be available for your needs
• supports the tutor in applying for special arrangements to be made for exams
• co-ordinates the provision of support inside and outside the classroom
• liaises with tutors and staff to ensure your learning needs are met
• reviews your needs on a regular basis

Examples of additional support available to attend our courses are:

• resources - providing a variety of formats to make printed texts / audio or visual content, online resources accessible
• specialist equipment - providing equipment to support your needs such as radio aids
• carer or support worker - we can help if you have a carer or support worker that needs to attend a course with you
• financial support - subject to criteria, our additional learner support fund is available to help with financial support for transport, fees, learning materials for accredited courses - For non-accredited courses our discretionary learner support fund (bursary) is available to apply for help with transport or fees

For further information or to talk confidentially about your needs or support, please contact our Learner Support Advisor.

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 01536 535809 (answer machine) where a telephone call back can be requested

Course expectations

Our tutors will work with you to find out what you want to learn during the course and how they can support you to achieve your outcomes and what you would like to do next.

At the start of your course, you will have an induction by your tutor, which includes the opportunity to discuss the plan for the course with the tutor.

This will also include Health and Safety information and what to do if you cannot attend.

Throughout your course your tutor will support you in achieving the learning outcomes of the course and your personal learning goals.

This includes asking about your experience and confidence and helping you to develop your skills.

Our tutors will also help you to think about and review your progress through the use of an Individual Learning Plan.

Health and Wellbeing

It is your choice whether you let us know about a disability or health condition that may affect your learning.

Please tell us at the earliest opportunity so that this gives us enough time to make arrangements, if required.

This information is reviewed regularly with you for any changes. This also helps when you book onto further courses.

The information helps your course tutor adapt their teaching and resources, if required, to make your learning experience a positive one.

To support your health and wellbeing or that of someone you know our tutors and office team can help you to find out about information, help and support available during your course.

Accessibility of Venues

We cannot always guarantee fully accessible buildings to deliver our courses. For this reason, there may be some specific questions that we will ask you if you speak with us about additional support. 

The following information is provided to us directly by the venues, if you find any details to be incorrect, please let us know [email protected].

Adult Learning venue accessibility

Online Safety

The NSPCC, Get Safe Online and Stop Fraud national awareness campaign websites contain guidance to support you and your family to stay safe online.

To report suspected scams or get help and advice about preventing scams call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

To report suspected scams, or for information on preventing scams, call the Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06.

Last updated 27 March 2024