SEND provision

My Independence is a suite of four certificated programmes for young people with a range of special educational needs. Mapped to the preparing for adulthood (PfA) pathways, My Independence is ASDAN’s key programme to achieve positive outcomes for young people with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). 

The key aims of the My Independence programmes are to raise aspirations and specifically address the needs of young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and moderate learning difficulties (MLD) through meaningful and creative learning opportunities. 

There are four certificated Preparing for Adulthood programmes for learners with a range of special educational needs and disabilities. These courses have been developed to meet the four broad areas of need outlined in the SEND code of practice.

This range of Preparing for Adulthood programmes provides a real-life context to reward achievement and foster the personal, social and work-related abilities of all learners.

Lifeskills Challenge enables centres to meet individual needs by providing a personalised curriculum for young people with SEND. Topics include employability; independent living; out in the community; PSHE; and sport and fitness. 

ASDAN qualifications support learners' aspirations from being able to live as independently as possible through to developing the skills to gain employment. They are approved and regulated in England (Ofqual), Wales (Qualifications Wales) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) and are supported by high quality resources. Our qualifications, which include Employability, Personal Progress and Personal and Social Development, are portfolio-based and are moderated externally by post.

ASDAN's SEND courses support the achievement of the four preparing for adulthood outcomes, outlined in the SEND Code of Practice for England. These are:

• employment
• independent living
• friends, relationships and community
• good health

As well as preparing young people for adulthood from the earliest years, special schools in England must ensure their curriculum meets the four broad areas of need. These are:

• communication and interaction
• cognition and learning
• social, emotional and mental health
• sensory and physical need

The four broad areas of need are a pre-requisite to planning a curriculum for the learner and they provide a holistic and balanced approach to personalised learning. Download our guide to addressing SEND areas of need.

Our SEND programmes and qualifications help centres meet many Ofsted requirements, including:

• developing self-confidence, self-awareness and understanding of how to be a successful learner
• gaining employability skills so that learners are well prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training
• understanding how to keep themselves safe from risks such as abuse, sexual exploitation and extremism, including when using the internet and social media
• knowledge of how to keep themselves healthy, both emotionally and physically, including through exercising and healthy eating
• personal development, so that learners are well prepared to respect others and contribute to wider society