I have High Needs or an EHCP, what support can I get at the College?

Students with a Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or High Needs can access all mainstream courses at all levels provided the course entry requirements are met, and the College is able to meet their needs. Our High Needs Coordinators are dedicated to working with schools, local authorities, parents and students to find the most suitable option for you.

The College also offers a supported provision (The Bridge Builder Programme) for students with an EHCP or High Needs who may need additional support before they access a mainstream programme.

The High Needs Team is committed to helping students with SEND to remove the barriers within learning.

We work closely with students with an EHC plan, their families and staff across the college to carry out statutory annual reviews and monitor the outcomes and progress of our students. This includes a focus on Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) outcomes for our students:

  • Employment – developing skills for employment or continued education, creating a clear supported pathway with achievable goals
  • Independent Living – supporting students to have choice, control and freedom over their lives, by exploring independent living skills such as cooking and food preparation, money management and looking at options for accommodation and housing.
  • Healthy Living – supporting students to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including making independent choices around diet, exercise and self-care, especially around their mental well being.
  • Community & Relationships – participating in society, including having friends and supportive relationships, and participating in and contributing to the local community.

In addition to the Universal and Targeted Support that are available to all students with SEND, we work closely with other departments in the college and external agencies to provide specialist support:

  • DeafStart/Deaf and Hearing Impairment Team (DAHIT) and BID/Leeds Hearing and Sight Loss Service
  • CAMHS
  • LCB Safeguarding Team (with links to Children’s Social Work Services; Youth Justice Service)
  • Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
  • Specialist Training in Autism Raising Standards (STARS)

High Needs students will have access to guaranteed regular Careers Information, Advice & Guidance throughout their programme from the college’s Careers Advisor and Work Placement Officers.

Transition for Students with High Needs/EHCP

The High Needs Co-ordinators work with pre-16 education settings across Yorkshire to organise transition to the College for students interested in studying with us.

Examples of transition work that we can do with students and other provision:

  • College attendance at EHCP Annual Reviews from Year 10 onwards – can help to create outcomes to ease transition into College and to support the student towards preparation for adulthood
  • Assigned Learning Mentor who can support the student before and during their programme – the student will be provided with their details after the local authority consultation so there is a key known member of staff on arrival at the college.
  • Guided tours of college campuses – familiarisation of campus and rooms
  • Supported taster days and sessions
  • Meet and greet
  • Regular universal training for all staff who work with students, and targeted specialist training for teaching and support staff where required.

Transition continues throughout your time at the college. We can support you to identify your route towards your planned career or destination and what support you will need to get there. While we hope the college is the right fit for you, we can help to organise transition to other colleges or settings.

Get in touch

For further information, please contact the High Needs Coordinators:​

Claire Roo & Owain Talbot, highneeds@lcb.ac.uk