Overview
Additional Learning Needs (ALN) cover a wide range of conditions that may affect a learner's learning or day-to-day participation on programme, differently from their peers. This can include but is not limited to specific learning needs and neurodiversity (such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD or autism), mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, physical or mobility needs, and sensory impairments (including visual impairments and D/deaf or hard of hearing Apprentices). Apprentices may also have more than one Additional Learning Need at the same time.
This article explains the process for disclosing an Additional Learning Need and the types of support available, so that every Apprentice, whatever their learning or support requirements, has an equitable opportunity to succeed on programme.
How to Get Support Quickly
You do not need a diagnosis to get started. You can raise it with your Coach, or email the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) team directly at [email protected] (UK).
The ALN team works over email, not live chat. Please email the team rather than waiting in the support chat, and you will get a reply straight to your inbox.
What is Additional Learning Needs Support?
Multiverse is committed to delivering inclusive and accessible learning for every Apprentice. Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Support is designed to remove barriers to learning by providing tailored support to address and mitigate these barriers. Support can come directly from your Coach or through collaboration with the ALN team, ensuring Apprentices with an additional learning need have full access to personalised support.
Categories of Need
Additional Learning Needs (ALN) can be defined as a diagnosed or suspected disability, learning difference, support need or impairment* that creates barriers to an Apprentice's ability to:
Physically access or attend learning or exams
Access the way in which learning is communicated (for example, if a learner is d/Deaf, they may need a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or live captions)
Take an equitable part in instruction and coaching sessions
Process and retain information effectively and in a way that matches the pace of learning
Meet set deadlines
Communicate their learning needs to Coaches
This can include (but is not limited to):
Physical Impairments — such as: Cerebral Palsy; back issues such as bulging discs; Scoliosis; Muscular Dystrophy
Chronic or Severe Acute Illness — such as: Diabetes T1 / T2; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Cancer; Migraines / Cluster Headaches
Neurodevelopmental Conditions — such as: ADHD; Autism Spectrum; Dyspraxia / Developmental Coordination Disorder; Tourette Syndrome
Long-Term / Severe Mental Health Conditions — such as: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; Bipolar 1 / 2; Severe Depression / Major Depressive Disorder; Severe Anxiety Disorders
Sensory Impairments — such as: Visual impairment; d/Deaf / Hard of Hearing; Hyperacusis
Specific Learning Difficulties and/or Differences — such as: Dyslexia; Dysgraphia; Dyscalculia; Mild / Moderate Learning Difficulties
Process for Receiving Additional Learning Needs Support (on-course adjustments)
If you recognise that you might be impacted by one or more of these conditions, follow these steps to access the support you need. This isn't limited to when you start your apprenticeship, you can share this with us at any point during your programme, whenever feels right for you.
Step 1: Talk to Your Coach
Your Coach plays a pivotal role in your learning journey, though you're also welcome to go straight to the ALN team at [email protected] if that feels easier. If you feel comfortable, discuss openly:
Any past or current challenges related to your learning needs.
Specific situations where you have felt disadvantaged, both in educational settings and in the workplace.
Previous supports or accommodations that have been helpful (or not).
Possible support options you might need from the Multiverse team.
If uncertain, that is completely okay. Use this discussion as a starting point.
Step 2: Assess Next Steps
If you have disclosed additional learning needs during admissions, the ALN team may have already contacted you. If not, with your consent, your Coach may refer you to the ALN team. The ALN team may:
Work with your Coach to advise how to best support you
Contact you to create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that outlines recommended on-course adjustments and signposts further resources you may find useful
Offer further screening if you suspect you may have a learning difference but are not diagnosed (this may also lead to an ILP)
Refer you to external services that can provide learning mentors, wellbeing mentors and assistive technology
Step 3: Follow Up
Securing the right adjustments and support is an ongoing effort. Regular check-ins with your Coach will help adjust and refine any support so it effectively meets your needs. If you have an ILP, the ALN team reviews it with you every three months. You can always contact the team before this if you have any concerns, at [email protected].
Process for Receiving Exam Adjustments
Functional Skills
NCFE is the exam board for Functional Skills.
If you feel you may need additional time in your Reading, Writing, or Maths exams:
Please email [email protected] with the subject heading: Functional Skills Adjustment.
If you have a Specific Learning Difficulty such as Dyslexia or Dyscalculia, NCFE requires a diagnostic report assessed in person post-Year 9. Please attach this to your email.
If you have a Disability including physical needs and neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD and Autism, please attach a medical letter or diagnostic report outlining your diagnosis. We will need to complete an additional form with you and will arrange a date to do this.
Note: NCFE can only make exam adjustments where these evidence requirements are met.
No Diagnosis Yet? How to Start
You do not need a diagnosis to begin the conversation. There are two routes:
We can provide a non-clinical screener (such as the Support Connect "This is Me" screener). If you flag on the screener, this can be used in place of a diagnosis for exam adjustments.
If you are pursuing a formal diagnosis (for example, through your GP), email [email protected]. The team can talk you through what the exam board requires, so you have the right information to take to your GP or specialist.
End Point Assessments
If you feel you will need adjustments in your exam, please let your Coach know or email [email protected] with the subject title EPA Adjustments.
Please include your course, gateway date, Coach name, and what you anticipate you may need.
If you're not sure what adjustments might be available to you, email [email protected] and the ALN team can share a guidance list of what reasonable adjustments may include.
Exam boards require evidence of your diagnosis. This can be:
A letter from a medical or other qualified specialist
A diagnostic report
An Occupational Health report
A non-clinical screener such as the Support Connect 'This is Me' screener, where a potential learning need has been flagged
No Diagnosis Yet? How to Start
You do not need a diagnosis to begin the conversation. There are a few routes:
We can provide a non-clinical screener (such as the Support Connect 'This is Me' screener). If you flag on the screener, this can be used in place of a diagnosis for exam adjustments.
If you are pursuing a formal diagnosis (for example, through your GP), email [email protected]. The team can talk you through what the exam board requires, so you have the right information to take to your GP or specialist.
You may provide a manager statement evidencing your usual ways of working
On-course Assignments (L3-4)
An ILP (see above) can recommend extended deadlines and additional learning mentoring (such as Specialist Learning Mentoring and Assistive Technology Mentoring) with our external partner Support Connect. Deadlines are ultimately set by your Coach, so you will need to discuss this with them as well to agree on a date that works for you both.
On-course Assignments (L5+)
We can create an ILP for you with 5 working day deadline extensions as above
We can also refer you for additional learning mentoring (such as Specialist Learning Mentoring and Assistive Technology Mentoring) with our external partner Support Connect
Learn More About Support at Multiverse
Completing a Screener (such as the Support Connect 'This is Me' Screener)
If you and your Coach or the ALN team agree that you will complete a screener, you will receive an access code and link by email from Support Connect. This email does not come from Multiverse directly.
Cannot find the code? Check your junk or spam folder and search your inbox for Support Connect.
Code not recognised, link not working, or code never arrived? Email [email protected] with the subject "Screener access", plus your name and programme. The team can resend your code or set up a new one.
Getting a Copy of Your Results
Your screener results are held by the provider, not on the Multiverse platform. If you have completed a screener or assessment through your apprenticeship and need a copy (for example, to support an exam-adjustment request), you can contact Support Connect directly. Any issues, you can email [email protected] for support.
Note: Screeners cannot diagnose a learning difference. They can be used in place of a diagnosis if you need exam adjustments and you flag on the screener. They can also give you and your Coach or Instructor more of an idea of your strengths and barriers, and how best to support you.
Support Connect can also provide Specialist Learning Mentors, Wellbeing Mentors and Assistive Technology Mentors. You can be referred to this via emailing the ALN team at [email protected].
If at any point you prefer to directly contact the ALN team to discuss a learning or physical need, please email: [email protected] (UK).