Hearing & Visual Impairment Support
Students with Hearing and/or visual difficulties can receive a range of individualized support. The services may include assistance from a Learning Support Assistant, adapted learning resources, adaptations of the learning environment, personalized mobility support and training, and a bespoke transition package. A person-cantered Individual Development Plan will be developed for you if you need additional learning provision. Additionally, we can work closely with sensory teams and other visual impairment specialists to provide you with the support you need.
Specific Learning Needs (SpLD) Support
Our SpLD Assessors will work with students and lecturers to make sure they have the right tools for their learning. Online Screening Tools We can offer online screening assessments for SpLD (Specific Learning Difficulties) and Exam Access Arrangements. We will meet with the student to discuss the outcome of the screener and agree a support plan with them. Exam Access Assessments If a student has a learning difficulty our assessor may arrange to meet with them to carry out some short tests to apply for exam access arrangements. The college will also work with schools and lecturers to gather information. Needs Assessments All students that disclose a Specific Learning Difficulty at enrolment will have a needs assessment by a member of our Student Support team. Here support will be discussed, and a plan agreed to help the student progress with their studies.
Autism Champions
Our specialist Autism Coordinator will work with students, parents/ careers, and schools to agree a transition plan before college starts.
The ASD Coordinator will be the students’ point of contact when they are in college and will answer and deal with any concerns or worries, they may have.
We have a committed group of staff and student ASD Champions available to work with students throughout their time at college. They can support with lots of topics such as:
- Friendships
- Puberty
- Adulthood
- Sensory difficulties
- Sleep, diet and health
- Communication skills
- Organisation and college work
Our college staff have received Autism Awareness training with Autism Wales and are working towards accredited ‘Autism Friendly Status’ across all our campuses.
We have a dedicated group of staff qualified at Postgraduate Level 7 in Autism Spectrum Conditions who can offer more personalised and bespoke support.
Disability/Medical Support
All essential student controlled medications are stored and recorded securely. First aid and medication handling trained staff can provide support, along with trained individuals who can administer buccal medication and epilepsy medication. Support staff are also available to provide personal care.
Assistive Technology
To assist with learning, we can offer many different types of software and equipment, including: Immersive reader software
- Speech to text software
- Electronic Reading Pens
- Microsoft learning tools
- Immersive Reader
- Mind map and note taking software
To help students with communication, we use online resources. We can offer access to:
- Widget Online
- Makaton Online
- Touch Type Software
- Apps for Learning.
In addition to our 60-inch touch screen televisions, we also have a number of educational tools added. Sensory impairments can be supported by us.
We have a range of equipment for students to loan for hearing and visual impairments, including:
- Radio Aids and Receivers
- Laptops and iPads
- Magnifying equipment
Exam Access Arrangements
If a student has a learning difficulty our assessor may arrange to meet with them to carry out some short tests to apply for exam access arrangements. The college will also work with schools and lecturers to gather information.
Study Skills Coaches
Students can access weekly support with our Student Support team where they can focus on specific strategies for learning and lots more.
Wellbeing Team
Our Well-Being team are available to offer one-to-one help for students who need emotional support.
All students identified as vulnerable will have a designated Well-Being Officer, who will be a point of contact throughout their studies. They will work with students to develop:
- Resilience
- Self-awareness
- Communication skills
- Confidence
- Assertiveness
The college also offer a counselling service for students needing more specialist support. Students can be referred for up to 6 sessions with a qualified counsellor.
Study Support Assistants
All our staff are trained with manual handling, hoisting and personal care. Our team are experienced, and student dignity and care are very important to us. All staff work in pairs when carrying out any personal care under the college safeguarding policy. All students requiring personal care will receive an individualised care plan.
Our Support staff can:
- Help and supervise students during lunch and break times
- Assist students with dietary needs and feeding
- Help students develop their personal care and independent living skills
- Offer help with medication and storing of medication
- Provide mobility support for wheelchair users.
Support Staff are trained to offer:
- Emergency first aid
- Epilepsy support
- Diabetes support and use of monitoring equipment
- Manual handling and Personal Care.
Application for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) The Student Support Team can refer students for an SpLD diagnostic assessment to support a DSA application.
Please make an appointment with the college ALNCo (Additional Learning Needs Coordinator) ALN@nptcgroup.ac.uk to discuss further.
Here are some other types of support we provide;
- In-Class Support
- Discrete Learning
- Literacy/Numeracy Help
- Adapted/Easy Read Text
- Welsh Language-Speaking Staff
- Taster Days
- ALN Resilience Officers
