Clear pathways for SEND students
We’ve created four unique SENse pathways. Each pathway offers specific support based on the student’s age, stage and next steps. Every student we work with is assigned one of these four pathways.
Our pathways model ensures that our students understand what the aim of their time with SENse Learning is. And it unites student, family and professionals in working towards a common goal. Over time students may move pathways based on their changing age or needs. Each student’s pathway is assessed at the end of every term.
Our four different pathways
Below is a summary of our four pathways, with additional information further down the page.
1. Assessment Pathway
Most of our students will start their SENse Learning journey here. They get to meet and start building relationships with their tutor team and together we map out an educational journey that makes SENse for them.
2. Reintegration Pathway
This is a pathway which looks to minimise barriers to learning. The focus is on developing confidence, socialisation and engagement skills for children aiming to reintegrate to a school or college.
3. Vocational and Independence Pathway
A pathway where young people are encouraged to work towards further education or training, employment and independent living. Students will all develop their wellbeing, interaction, learning and life skills through our SENse WILL and the Functional Skills curriculum as they look towards these exciting next steps.
4. Complex and EOTAS Pathway
This pathway focuses on building a solid foundation by prioritising wellbeing above all else. Our aim is to support and enable students to step into another SENse pathway that will help determine what comes after SENse. It’s also sometimes the right place for our EOTAS students who need a primary focus on wellbeing.
1. Assessment Pathway
Who’s it for?
Students who are in their first two terms with SENse Learning and fit any of the criteria below…
- Could potentially sit in more than one pathway. We use our assessment pathway to ensure we find the best fit for them to move into.
- Are likely to move into the complex needs and EOTAS pathway after the two-term assessment period.
- Have been out of education for a long period, so their current needs and potential to engage are unclear.
We need a period to assess whether the SENse Learning approach is suitable for their needs.
The provision we supply in this pathway
This assessment pathway is where most students will start their SENse Learning journey. It’s designed so we can spend time getting to know each young person. We make sure that we can meet their needs and decide which of our three longer-term pathways would be right for them.
Students meet their tutor team and together they begin to map the strategies and engagement approaches that work best for them. They’ll have access to our full SENse WILL framework™ and Functional Skills curriculum and are encouraged to engage with these in fun, creative and interest-based ways.
Our students will follow the Assessment Pathway for a maximum of two terms. However it’s often much sooner before they transition into another pathway. The student’s case lead works alongside the pathway lead during this time and keeps parents, carers and referring partners up to date with ongoing plans.
2. Reintegration Pathway
Who’s it for?
- Students up to the age of 16 who are working on skills for reintegrating into a school.
- A young person we feel might be ready to transition to a school in the next 12 months.
- Any students who are doing some time at school alongside their SENse Learning sessions.
Students who are ready for school and awaiting their school placement to be confirmed.
The provision we supply in this pathway
This pathway aims to ensure students are prepared for school. They work on the key skills needed to ensure the transition back to school is successful.
Students have access to our full SENse WILL framework™ and Functional Skills curriculum. We focus on minimising any barriers to their learning such as developing confidence, socialisation and engagement skills. We also support students in gaining skills to ensure they can stay happy and healthy in their next placement. They’ll learn how to self-advocate, understand their own learning and sensory needs, building confidence in their ability to learn and socialise at school.
Once a school is identified we can support with any taster days and visits to the school and also create a transition plan to help the student into the setting.
3. Vocational and Independence Pathway
Who’s it for?
- Students over the age of 14 who will be working towards further education – such as college, training or employment – as their next steps.
The provision we supply in this pathway
This pathway supports students in developing the skills needed for their next steps into further education, training, employment or independent living.
This may include options such as work experience, employability skills sessions and career guidance. Students will work on our Functional Skills and SENse WILL framework™, to develop their wellbeing, interaction, learning and life skills.
Once the right onward step is found for each student, we work closely with the next provider to create a transition plan.
4. Complex and EOTAS Pathway
Who’s it for?
- Students of any age, who we do not feel will be ready for focussed work towards a transition in the next 12 months due to their emotional and mental health needs.
- Students who can engage with SENse Learning’s sessions and approach, but need time to focus primarily on their wellbeing.
- Some students who have EOTAS on their educational health and care plan (EHCP).
The provision we supply in this pathway
This pathway aims to develop the student’s wellbeing to a stage where they can move into another pathway and work towards their next steps after their SENse Learning journey.
Students focus mostly on the wellbeing aspect of our SENse WILL framework™. They’ll be supported to build their self-esteem and confidence. Our aim is to reduce their anxiety so that they are able to engage more consistently in a wider curriculum.
We offer support and encourage students to build community connections and engage with their other professionals. This helps build a team of safe adults who support them both within, and outside of, SENse Learning.
Sometimes students have EOTAS on their EHCP which allows them to access a bespoke programme of education for a longer period. If this is the case, alongside the need for a primary focus on wellbeing, students can be placed in this pathway. However, all provision is monitored for progress, suitability and next steps, regardless of EOTAS status. Thus many EOTAS students will sit in another pathway, when we feel this is better suited to their current needs.
Pathway to a positive transition
Read our case study to see P's successful journey from one SENse Learning pathway to another, helping her to move closer towards a successful transition to college, with improved wellbeing, confidence and communication skills.
The curriculums we follow
We’re extremely proud of our bespoke SENse WILL framework™ covering four key areas of wellbeing, interaction, learning and life skills. Alongside this we offer Functional Skills curriculums for both primary and secondary-aged children as well as a range of other certificates and qualifications.
