Additional Learning Needs is a term that encompasses a wide variety of situations. If an apprentice has an additional learning need, it means that there is an identified learning or physical need that may result in the apprentice experiencing a disadvantage compared to their peers. As a result, they may work and learn differently and therefore may need more or different support than other apprentices. This does not mean that they must have a diagnosis of any kind, but rather, that the apprentice has demonstrated challenges with learning in their current context and needs additional support. This article will guide you through the kinds of additional needs, options for Additional Needs Support and the process for receiving it.

The purpose of additional needs support is to remove or mitigate the barrier that the apprentice may be experiencing to create a level playing field, allowing them to access a full opportunity to thrive. Multiverse has a duty to provide support to any apprentices with additional learning needs - and this may be provided by the coach or in collaboration with the Apprentice Support Team.

How is this different from Neurodiversity?

Neurodiversity is the variation between human brains. This means that we all have a unique cognitive profile, have unique strengths and areas where we may need support and as a result, all think and learn differently. It is a fact of life, in the same way that gender and ethnic diversity are. It is not a weakness or deficit.

We are all neurodiverse! While specific combinations of neurodivergent strengths and growth areas may be characterised as Additional Learning Needs, being neurodiverse is not the same as having an Additional Learning Need.

Categories of Need

Additional Learning Needs at Multiverse can generally be broken down into two key categories: Learning Needs and Physical Needs.

Learning Needs

Needs that result in an apprentice experiencing a greater difficulty in learning than other apprentices.

For example:

Physical Needs

Needs that impact an apprentice's ability to make use of the facility or resources provided by the employer.

For example:

If the apprentice, coach, or manager recognizes an apprentice’s needs as falling under one or more of these categories, then they may qualify to receive Additional Learning Needs support from their coach or the Apprentice Support Team.

Step 1

If there is a concern regarding apprentice performance, behavior, or learning, managers should first reach out to the apprentice’s coach. Communication can happen via Slack, email, or however else managers and coaches most frequently communicate to set up a 1 on 1 meeting, or to document the observations or concerns in writing to the coach. Managers should be sure to include 1) where and when these challenges are observed to be taking place, 2) the specifics of the challenges (how they manifest), and 3) what supports or interventions the manager (or the champion or HR) have attempted to support the apprentice so far (such as written feedback, extra meetings, providing examples, etc). If the manager has just begun to notice challenges but isn’t sure how best to address them or support your apprentice, that is okay too! Their coach is here to collaborate in any way possible.

Step 2

After speaking with the coach, they will reach out to meet with the apprentice (either with the coach, apprentice and manager present, or just between them and the apprentice, as will be decided when the manager and the coach communicate). ln that conversation, the coach will probe to hear the apprentice’s perspective and look to identify any challenges and supports that might be beneficial. They may also, at this point, bring in our Apprentice Support Team for consultation or extra resources.

Step 3

The coach will then conduct follow up. After meeting with the apprentice, the coach will reach back out to the manager to identify any appropriate accommodations or action steps that can be implemented (by the apprentice, coach, manager, or Apprentice Support Team). They will also set a future touchpoint with the apprentice and with the manager to discuss the impact of these supports after a set period of time. Additional Needs support is an iterative process-neither apprentices nor coaches nor managers are expected to have everything perfect on the first try when it comes to adjustments, supports, or accommodations. Our Multiverse Apprentice Support Team is also available to provide extra resources or touchpoints to support our apprentices throughout their time in the program.

Managers can also refer apprentices seeking more support or resources to the Support Space on the Community hub, accessible to all apprentices, for more details on how to get support at Multiverse.