My Independence

What is My Independence?


My Independence is a suite of four certificated programmes for young people with a range of special educational needs. Mapped to the preparing for adulthood (PfA) pathways, My Independence is ASDAN key programme to achieve positive outcomes for young people with an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

 

The key aims of the My Independence programmes are to raise aspirations and specifically address the needs of young people with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and moderate learning difficulties (MLD) through meaningful and creative learning opportunities.

 

Each programme provides a real-life context to reward achievement and foster the personal, social and work-related abilities of all learners by focusing on a person-centred planning approach.

 

My Independence has been created in collaboration with NDTi (National Development Team for Inclusion), nationally recognised experts in special educational needs and disabilities SEND (Special educational needs and disabilities) and co-designed with a range of practitioners.

 

The programmes can be used within an existing curriculum or to shape a curriculum that promotes preparing for adulthood outcomes.

 

Who are they for?

There are four My Independence programmes, catering for learners working from pre-Entry level

to Entry level 3:

 

Exploring Aspirations: for learners aged 11–14

The Exploring Aspirations course aims to better prepare young people for the next stage in their education and for good life outcomes.


The Exploring Aspirations activities support the delivery of PSHE, Citizenship and Careers Education and are mapped to the four Preparing for Adulthood pathways:

  • friends, relationships and community
  • employment
  • good health
  • independent living

This will enable educational providers to link learning opportunities to an individual’s Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes. The course can both inform the development of outcomes and provide evidence of their achievement.


The film below explains how the programme has been designed to help young people with SEND develop a breadth of outcomes required to live independently and achieve good life outcomes.


Transforming Aspirations: for learners aged 14–16

The Transforming Aspirations course aims to better prepare young people for the next stage in their education and for good life outcomes.


The Transforming Aspirations activities provide opportunities to cover the compulsory national curriculum subjects at key stage 4 (computing is not included as a standalone subject but can be covered in the optional open activity within each pathway) and are mapped to the four Preparing for Adulthood pathways:


  • friends, relationships and community
  • employment
  • good health
  • independent living


Realising Aspirations: for learners aged 14+

The Realising Aspirations course aims to better prepare young people working at Entry level for good life outcomes.


Realising Aspirations has been developed around the four preparing for adulthood pathways, each pathway comprises three modules:


  • friends, relationships and community
  • employment
  • good health
  • independent living


Supporting Aspirations: for learners with PMLD, all ages as appropriate

The aim of the Supporting Aspirations course is to better prepare young people with PMLD to plan for good life outcomes.


Supporting Aspirations has been developed around the four preparing for adulthood pathways, each pathway comprises three modules:


  • friends, relationships and community
  • employment
  • good health
  • independent living



The module outcomes are based on what needs to be in place for a young person with PMLD to plan for the future and make a successful transition to new opportunities at college, adult social care, training programmes, employment or in supported living



Meeting Ofsted requirements

Our SEND programmes and qualifications help centres meet many Ofsted requirements, including:

  • developing self-confidence, self-awareness and understanding of how to be a successful learner
  • gaining employability skills so that learners are well prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training
  • understanding how to keep themselves safe from risks such as abuse, sexual exploitation and extremism, including when using the internet and social media
  • knowledge of how to keep themselves healthy, both emotionally and physically, including through exercising and healthy eating
  • personal development, so that learners are well prepared to respect others and contribute to wider society