Support for students with SEND (careers)
If you need the following information presented differently - please email the Futures Team : futures@blackpoolsixth.ac.uk and we can provide this for you.
Useful Links
https://www.shawtrust.org.uk/what-we-do/
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/
https://www.et-foundation.co.uk/professional-development/special-educational-needs-disabilities
https://www.ndti.org.uk/about-us/about-ndti/our-vision
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/careersdefender/send-careers/
https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/special-educational-needs-support
https://www.scope.org.uk/employment-services/career-pathways/
Support available at college
We promote equality of opportunity for the development of an individual’s potential, regardless of their differences and disability.
ALS support :
Before you study to Blackpool Sixth
We can visit your school and talk to your teachers (please invite us to any essential meetings).
We can welcome you at our open events, contact us if you would rather come at a time to suits you.
We can produce a personalised transition plan that will help you find your way around our campus and ensure you choose the right courses.
Attendance at ‘March Taster Sessions’ and ‘New Student Day’ will help you decide on your courses.
We will meet you at your enrolment interview to ensure we’re aware of all your needs.
Whilst you are studying at Blackpool Sixth
Focus Centre – The ALS team is based in here and is available to all students, so someone will always be able to help you.
In-class/Out-of-class support – We can provide support for you in lessons, extra help out-of-class so you can develop your own learning skills.
iPads and Laptops – Many of our students use technology as part of their learning, if you don’t have an iPad or laptop, we can help you to buy/loan a device to assist your learning.
Exam Provision – We will work with you to find out what arrangements would benefit you, whether it’s a laptop or additional time.
Care Needs – We can put a personalised care plan in place for you, early notice is appreciated, so we can ensure staff have the relevant training.
Progression
Learners will be helped to consider their next move forward. We provide:
Accompanied careers interviews
Accompanied visits to Universities/other institutions
Help with applying for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
Contact with disability officers at future establishments
‘Progression Statement’ which explains the level of support received, to help in planning for your future.
Specialist support & useful websites
preparing for the world of work
PROJECT SEARCH
Project Search is a one-year work placement program for students with an Education, Health and Care plan, who are seeking a pathway to employment and is preparing to start its 8th year.
It is targeted for students whose goal is to gain paid employment of more than 16 hours per week at the end of the year when they leave.
Taking place at the heart of Blackpool Council, with a classroom based in the new council offices at Bickerstaffe Square. A group of 10 to 12 students undertake teaching and learning through classroom and office based activities and also experience total immersion in the workplace as they undertake complimentary work based learning each day through placements in the council.
The students work with a team that includes their family, a special education teacher and a job coach provided by Blackpool Council to maintain the focus on an employment goal and support the student during this important transition to work.
Work placement
Please click the buttons above for general work placement information and current opportunities for SEND students^
Support with applying for university
Click here for University helpful links :
Disabled Students' Allowances
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability.
This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.
The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs - not your household income.
For more information :
https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
support with employment/ apprenticeships
Click the buttons below for information regarding apprenticeships and employment options.
The Disability Confident scheme helps employers recruit and retain great people, and to: challenge attitudes and increase understanding of disability. draw from the widest possible pool of talent. secure high-quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard working.
Useful Links
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/
Support for your career
Work and Health programme
The Work and Health Programme helps you find and keep a job if you’re out of work.
You could be eligible if you live in England or Wales and you’re:
disabled
out of work
a carer or former carer
a homeless person
a former member of His Majesty’s (HM) armed forces
a member of the HM armed forces reserves
the partner of a current or former member of HM armed forces
a care leaver
a young person in a gang or at risk of being involved with a gang
a refugee
a victim of domestic violence
dependent (or have been dependent) on drugs or alcohol and it’s preventing you from getting work
an ex-offender and you’ve completed a custodial or community sentence
an offender serving a community sentence
You do not have to be getting benefits to apply.
What you’ll get
You’ll get personal support to help you:
identify your employment needs
match your skills to work that’s available
put you in touch with employers
find long-term employment
get training to help you find work
manage health problems to reduce their impact on work
How to apply
Ask your work coach if you’re eligible. They will apply for you.
If you don’t have a work coach, go to your local Jobcentre Plus and ask to speak to a work coach about the Work and Health Programme.
For more information : https://www.gov.uk/work-health-programme
Support available - when working
Reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities or health conditions.
Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions, are not substantially disadvantaged when doing their jobs.
This applies to all workers, including trainees, apprentices, contract workers and business partners.
Reasonable adjustments include:
changing the recruitment process so a candidate can be considered for a job
doing things another way, such as allowing someone with social anxiety disorder to have their own desk instead of hot-desking
making physical changes to the workplace, like installing a ramp for a wheelchair user or an audio-visual fire alarm for a deaf person
letting a disabled person work somewhere else, such as on the ground floor for a wheelchair user
changing their equipment, for instance providing a special keyboard if they have arthritis
allowing employees who become disabled to make a phased return to work, including flexible hours or part-time working
offering employees training opportunities, recreation and refreshment facilities
For more information : https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/multipage-guide/employment-workplace-adjustments
Mental Health support in work
Support available - organisations and programmes
Access to work
Access to Work can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability.
The support you get will depend on your needs.
Through Access to Work, you can apply for:
a grant to help pay for practical support with your work
support with managing your mental health at work
money to pay for communication support at job interviews
Practical support with your work
Access to Work could give you a grant to help pay for things like:
BSL interpreters, lip speakers or note takers
adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work
taxi fares to work or a support worker if you cannot use public transport
a support worker or job coach to help you in your workplace
Your workplace can include your home if you work from there some or all of the time.
It does not matter how much you earn. If you get an Access to Work grant, it will not affect any other benefits you get and you will not have to pay it back.
You or your employer may need to pay some costs up front and claim them back later.
Mental health support
You can get support to manage your mental health at work, which might include:
a tailored plan to help you get or stay in work
one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional
Communication support for job interviews
Access to Work can help pay for communication support at a job interview if:
you’re deaf or hard of hearing and need a BSL interpreter or lipspeaker
you have a physical or mental health condition or learning difficulty and need communication support
Find out more and apply for communication support at a job interview.
Check if you are eligible : https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/eligibility
Click here to apply:https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
For more information : https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
What PIP is for
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:
a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
Inspiring Stories
Useful Videos
Department for work & pensions :
DWP has set up this dedicated YouTube channel for BSL content so that the content can be found more easily.
British Sign Language Videos : BSL video support : https://www.youtube.com/@dwpsign
You can also watch videos which do not use BSL at: http://www.youtube.com/user/workandpensions
BSL National sign language week.mov