Additional Learning Support

Learning needs we support

We provide support for a wide range of learning needs and conditions, including:

1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
2. Autism Spectrum Conditions
3. Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia and Dyspraxia
4. Hearing Impairment
5. Mental Health Conditions
6. Physical Disability
7. Visual Impairment
8. Specific conditions/Disabilities

This list is not exhaustive. Please contact us if you have other needs, and we are here to help.

What support will I receive at College?

If you have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP), ALS will produce a bespoke support plan (ALS 5) detailing your required support, subject to commissioning. This may include:

1. In-class support
2. Mobility support
3. Note-taking
4. Spell checker
5. Modification of learning materials
6. Personal care
7. Lunchtime support
8. Meet and greet
9. Transition and orientation
10. Exam access arrangements

If you don’t have an EHCP but still have SEND then ALS will produce a bespoke support plan (ALS5) outlining the support you need at College, delivered by your department.

Transition to Barnsley College

The Additional Learning Support (ALS) team will help with your transition, no matter which course you start in September.

If you're considering studying with us, you can invite an ALS Co-ordinator to your Year 10 or 11 school reviews. They’ll explain our courses and the support available before and during your time at Barnsley College.

Visit us during Open Days to learn about our support. Once you apply, ALS can arrange campus tours of your chosen areas. After your interview, your department may offer summer taster days to give you an idea of your course.

To get a feel for the curriculum area you are looking at joining, take a look at our Transition Booklets.

What is the Local Offer?

Every Local Authority is required to publish information about services available for children and young people, from birth to 25, who have Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEN/D); and also services outside of the area in which they expect children and young people from their area will use. This is known as the ‘Local Offer’.

The Local Offer pulls together all the information about education, health and care services, leisure activities and support.

As part of the Local Offer, our support is regularly reviewed to foster independence.

For more information about what is available in Barnsley please follow the links:

1. Barnsley College Local Offer
2. BMBC Local Offer

Initial Assessment

After declaring a learning need and/or disability on your application form, ALS will contact you to organise an assessment. ALS will send out an ALS 1 Questionnaire and a confirmation letter with your appointment time, date and place. You or your parent/carer will need to fill in the ALS 1 Questionnaire with as much detail as possible before you return it to us.

At the initial assessment, an ALS Co-ordinator or SEN Advisor will discuss your learning needs and how to best support you whilst in College. During your initial assessment, the co-ordinator will use an ALS 3 to find out your about previous education and the support you had at school. ALS will produce a Support plan (ALS 5) outlining the support you need at College.

1. ALS Assessment Process
2. ALS Central Process

Annual Reviews

Each year at College you will have an annual review of your EHCP.

At your review, there will be yourself and family members/advocate, TIAG, staff from the College and other professionals.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the progress you are making at College, your mid and long-term plans, what is working well, what you might require support with and your aspirations for the future.

We will also review your EHCP to see if anything needs updating and the meeting will take 1-2 hours.