Many students, for a variety of reasons, need extra help to succeed with their studies and achieve their potential. The College has an excellent record of supporting students with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) and Disabilities. Our students are supported in a caring and nurturing environment by our specialist support team.
We believe in involving students from the very beginning, placing them at the centre of the planning and decision-making process. We work closely with parents, schools, and outside agencies to ensure that the transition into college runs smoothly.
Our aim is to nurture students to achieve greater independence.
NPTC Group of Colleges understand that starting in Further Education is a big step. We work with schools, Careers Wales and our local authorities to gather information on the needs of adults and young people, including those who may have an Individual Development Plan (IDP) under the new ALN legislation for Wales.
We work closely with our local authorities across Powys and Neath Port Talbot. Please follow the links below for further information on Additional Learning Needs provision and support.
To identify learners with additional learning needs who will be enrolling at college, we work closely with local schools and the Local Education Authority.
The ALN Code says the college must have the young person’s consent to maintain or write an IDP. It is important that this is talked about, so that the young person understands their rights, and has an opportunity to share their views, wishes and feelings.
Our College Transition and Review Officers attend school review meetings for learners with Additional Learning Needs. They do this to understand each learner’s needs and gather the information needed to make sure they are well supported when they start college.
All Learners are encouraged to disclose any ALN or barriers to learning on the college application form.
During open evenings and admissions events, the Additional Learning Needs Team will be on hand to answer any questions you might have.
Under the ALN Act 2018 and the ALN Code a young person will become a young person once they reach the end of compulsory school age (i.e. the last Friday of June in the year the young person turns 16).
This law says that parental rights in relation to the young person’s ALN education will automatically transfer to the young person themselves once they reach 16.
This means that local authorities and colleges must normally engage directly with the young person rather than their parents.
If the young person provides consent, parents and carers will continue to be involved in discussions; however, the final decision regarding consent to having an Individual Development Plan (IDP) prepared and maintained rests with the young person.
The teaching team will regularly review learners’ progress.
We will share information with you in different ways. The teaching team will set goals for learners as part of their daily lessons. They will also look for anything that might make learning more difficult and put suitable support in place
The Additional Learning Needs team works closely with teaching staff to carry out reviews with the learners we support. During every review, we make sure the learner’s voice, needs and experiences are at the heart of the conversation. We also value and welcome the important contributions that parents, carers, and guardians can offer as part of the process.
At any point during the college academic year, parents, carers, or guardians are welcome to visit the college to discuss their young person’s progress.
Each Local Authority (LA) has a designated person for post16.
We work closely with the LAs to provide additional support for young people with ALN moving into further education. This may include opportunities to become more familiar with the college campus, meeting staff and/or taking part in taster sessions (where available).
If you are unhappy with any decision regarding ALN please contact the college’s Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) Natalie Joseph on 03308189007 or email natalie.joseph@nptcgroup.ac.uk They will work with you to resolve any concerns you raise regarding the consideration of ALN.
If you live within Wales and you want independent advice, guidance, and support, you can contact SNAP Cymru. This service offers free support for young people who have/or may have additional learning needs, including dispute resolution and ALN issue-based advocacy. You can find out more about SNAP Cymru at www.snapcymru.org. You can also contact SNAP Cymru via the helpline on 0808 801 0608 or by completing an enquiry form at www.snapcymru.org/contact
If you are unhappy with a decision made about ALN, you have the right to appeal to the Educational Tribunal for Wales. They make decisions on appeals about additional learning needs. Information about when and how you can make an appeal can be found on their website: http://educationtribunal.gov.wales Appeals must be made within 8 weeks of a decision being made; however, if dispute resolution services are used, the time scale for appeal is extended by a further eight weeks.
How to find us?
Our team are located throughout all our campuses Student Zones and are available to offer advice, guidance, and support to all students.
You can arrange to speak or meet with our Student Support Team at one of our campuses from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 4.30 pm.
Or you can complete the Enquiry form below for more info, advice or help.
