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Receiving Support for an Additional Learning Need
Receiving Support for an Additional Learning Need

Multiverse's Additional Learning Needs provision: what we offer to Apprentices in the UK and what you can expect

Updated over 3 months ago

Overview

Additional Learning Needs encompass various conditions that may result in apprentices experiencing learning difficulties or physical challenges, which could affect their educational journey compared to their peers. This article aims to demystify the process and types of support available to apprentices within Multiverse, ensuring that all apprentices, regardless of their learning or physical requirements, have equal opportunities to succeed.

What is Additional Learning Needs Support?

Additional Needs Support in the Multiverse framework is designed to level the playing field for apprentices by providing tailored support that addresses and mitigates any barriers they might face. The support can come directly from educational coaches or through collaboration with the Apprentice Support Team, ensuring that apprentices with any form of disability have full access to personalised support.

Categories of Need

Additional Learning Needs (ALN) can be defined as a diagnosed or suspected disability 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 (i.e. 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, etc

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
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:

Step 1: Talk to Your Coach

Your coach plays a pivotal role in your learning journey. If you feel comfortable, discuss openly:

  • Any past or current challenges related to your learning needs.

  • Specific situations where you’ve 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’s completely okay – use this discussion as a starting point.

Step 2: Assess Next Steps

If you have disclosed a disability during admissions, the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) team may have already contacted you. If not, 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

Remember, securing the right adjustments and support is an ongoing effort. Regular check-ins with your coach will help adjust and refine any support to ensure it effectively meets your needs. If you have an ILP, the ALN Team will also review this with you every three months, though you can always contact them 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, and/or Maths exams:

  • Please send an email to [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 complete this with you.

Please note: if you do not meet the evidence requirements above, NCFE will not allow exam adjustments.

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.

Exam boards require evidence of your diagnosis - this can either be:

  • A letter from a medical or other qualified specialist

  • A diagnostic report

  • An Occupational Health report

  • A non-clinical screener such as the Do-It Profiler or Cognassist where a potential learning need has been flagged

On-course Assignments (L3-4)

An ILP (see above) can recommend extended deadlines and additional learning 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 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 with our external partner Support Connect

Learn More About Support at Multiverse

We can provide non-clinical screeners such as Cognassist and the Do-It Profiler if you suspect a Learning Difference but do not have a diagnosis and need evidence to access adjustments and support.

Please note that these cannot diagnose a learning difference - they can be used in lieu of a diagnosis if you need exam adjustments and you flag on these screeners. They can also give you and your coach/instructor more of an idea of your strengths and barriers and how to best support you.

We are also partnered with Support Connect who can provide learning mentors, wellbeing mentors and assistive technology - you can be referred to this via the ALN Team.

If at any point you prefer to directly contact the Additional Learning Needs team to discuss a learning or physical need, please email: [email protected] (UK).

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