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Last Updated - October 5, 2024

Age 16-18 – Universal Support for Sensory and Physical Needs

All staff will:

  • Model positive behaviours and implement the SEND Pledge Values to support preparing for adulthood at the earliest opportunity.
  • Familiarise themselves with any support plans in place for student(s). These should be checked at least half termly.
  • Welcome all students into learning environments and services.
  • Implement Quality First Teaching practices or equivalent, eg Evidence Informed Practice.
  • Use agreed method of interaction for students with visually/hearing impairment.
  • Use of chunking ie breaking down activities into clear, short and manageable tasks.
  • Use modified resources, where required.
  • Provide access to IT resources, assistive technologies eg Immersive Reader, speech to text etc
  • Facilitate alternative ways of recording work.
  • Consider appropriate positioning in the classroom.
  • Consider whole day/week transitioning experiences for individual students when planning timetables. For example, minimise number of different rooms used, ensure access to rooms.
  • Make adjustments for students to leave lessons 5 mins early to avoid any busy times in communal spaces, eg corridors, catching bus etc
  • Minimise adjustments to timetables and provide as much notice as possible of any changes, where necessary.
  • Provide access to sensory aids and be familiar in how to use, for example hearing aids/loops.
  • Ensure appropriate modifications to font style and size, in line with Normal Ways of Working.
  • Access to different colour paper/overlays.
  • Be mindful of environment influenced, eg senses – sight, smell etc. Check sufficient classroom/workshop light levels for VI, consider effect of windows and natural light etc
  • Identify a safe space for student to access for sensory breaks.
  • Access to a calm environment when overstimulated.
  • Agreed process for accessing time outs.
  • Ensure personal space.
  • Provide regular sensory breaks and consider how this can include peers.
  • Plan activities around timed work with breaks.
  • Provide access to fidget toys.
  • Provide opportunities for regular check ins.
  • Provide opportunities for overlearning.
  • Help build resilience to unimportant stimuli using positive reinforcement/motivators.
  • Access to headphones/earphones to block out distractions/noise for students with sensory needs, where appropriate.
  • Put in place a clear transition plan for next steps to include IAG, Information and guidance, for course transfers, finding apprenticeships, finding work, in line with their aspirations.
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