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Linkage College

Description

Service Description

Linkage College is a long-established independent specialist college in Lincolnshire, with a compelling offer for young people aged 16 – 25 who have any form of learning difficulty or associated disability.

The Weelsby campus in Grimsby offers residential Study Programmers where students receive specialist support from highly-trained and friendly staff, including; lecturers, personal and independence tutors, support staff.

Where appropriate, input from speech and language therapists and communication and behavior specialists are available. We gained recognition in our most recent Ofsted inspection for 'outstanding' outcomes for students (2013).

Additional Information

Additional Information

We achieve outstanding student outcomes because:
• our students have their own personalised study programme built around their own needs and aspirations.
• our students learn in real working and living environments that encourage them to 'learn by doing.'
• our students have the right level of support - including clinical, communication and therapeutic support - to develop the social confidence, skills, independence and mobility to build a confident future.

Every student is provided with an individualised Study Programme which provides a stimulating and meaningful learning experience to prepare them for their future adult life. Study Programmes typically run over 3 – 5 days a week according to individual need.

Independence Study Programmes support our students to develop confidence and skills such as: looking after a home, cooking and cleaning, developing good relationships with people, working with others, making decisions, safety awareness. Students on this programme also have the opportunity to access work-based projects and placements.

Employability Study Programmes focus on vocational options, including horticulture, media, business administration, customer service, retail, catering and food service. In addition to this, the 2016 academic year will see exciting new changes to the Linkage offer as we are introducing Small Animal Care, Pottery, Carpentry and Hair & Beauty courses into our Employability curriculum. All students on an employability pathway access a work placement or Supported Internship matched to their career aspirations and work towards an employability qualification. Students on this programme are also able to further develop their independence skills as appropriate.

All students study Maths, English and ICT at a level which is appropriate to the individual.

We are unique in the number and variety of social and commercial enterprises we manage that offer students work experiences which are second to none, in ‘real work’ environments designed to develop the skills young people need to gain and maintain employment.

Our competency and qualification levels typically run from five pre-entry levels to Level 2. Higher levels can also be delivered if appropriate.
With the support of our speech and language therapy team, Linkage promotes a Total Communication and inclusive environment, which enables students to achieve their communication potential. Staff are experienced in BSL, Makaton, PECs, personalised visual time tables, PCPs, cue cards, prompt cards, schedules, making choice visual cards, communication aids, iPads, objects of reference etc.

2015 saw the opening of a £430,000 grant funded Annex for learners with physical difficulties/disabilities. Over 2 floors, this purpose built building has automated door opening, hoists, physiotherapy, counselling/teaching facilities, wheelchair storing and charging facilities, wet/changing rooms with specialised toileting and showering facilities and a medical room.
All our impressive accommodation is registered with the Care Quality Commission and staffed 24 hours a day. Each residential student has a detailed Care Plan in place and our expert staff ensures that all their needs are met, not only on an academic basis but socially and personally too.

Suitable for ages

Age of Users
From 16 To 25

Costs

Cost
Free

Questions & Answers

Can Families Self-Refer To The Service?
Yes
Do You Have Child Protection Policies And Procedures
Yes
Eligibility - Can The Service Be Accessed By Extended Family Members Or Carers
Yes
Is There A Waiting List?
No

Further Information

Provider Type
SEND
Suitable For
Downs Syndrome Complex Needs Epilepsy Moderate Learning Difficulty (MLD) Multi-Sensory Impairment (MSI) Severe Learning Difficulty (SLD) Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN)
Delivery Channels
Office / Premises
Referral Criteria
None (Self-referral)