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LOCAL COLLEGE FIRST

Local College First is a prevention initiative in Bexley that transforms the delivery of social, education, and employment opportunities for young learners with learning disabilities. By offering support closer to home, the aim is to improve outcomes and reduce reliance on costly out-of-borough placements. The historical context illustrates the shift from sending learners to Independent Specialist Providers to developing local support for better results. The drive for change stems from government priorities and financial risks, emphasizing the importance of identifying and supporting disabled young people. Stakeholders have collaborated to provide personalized provision, recognizing the significance of involving parents and learners in decision-making. The program includes a college course, personal assistant support, living placements, job clubs, and education opportunities, all tailored to enhance independent living skills.

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LOCAL COLLEGE FIRST

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  1. LOCAL COLLEGE FIRST Transforming the lives of young adult learners in Bexley

  2. Local College First • A Bexley prevention initiative transforming the delivery of social, education and employment opportunities, and commissioning support, to young learners with learning disabilities

  3. Local College First • Aim – to improve outcomes for young learners by supporting them in further education closer to home. • To work with further education colleges to developsupport locally to reduce the need to send young learners to costly out of borough Independent Specialist Provider (ISP’s) • To ensure that resources are deployed to achieve best outcomes

  4. Local College First Historical Context • Until 2013 many young adult learners were sent to placements with ISP’s outside of their local area. • This often led to a significant weakening of links with family, friends and their local community. • No local offer of further education for this group of young learners

  5. Local College First • High % of young learners sent to ISP’s • Bexley placed an average of 7 high needs students per year at ISP • High % of young people going into residential care when they returned. • 85% of learners returning from ISP moved to residential care settings

  6. Local College First • Poor outcomes for young people evidenced. • Intelligence suggested that many young learners at ISP’s returned home in the holidays requiring lower levels of support and intervention than they did when away at college.

  7. Local College First Poor outcomes include: • Weakening of family bonds and difficulties reintegrating the young person back into the family. • Significant loss of social networks. • Institutionalisation and difficulties transferring independence skills back to the local community, e.g., learnt travel skills. • Difficulties establishing relationships with other young learners who remained in the local community. • Many young people did not return to Bexley at the end of the ISP course as they were placed in out of borough residential accomodation

  8. Local College First Poor outcomes lead to …………. Exclusion Of young learners from their mainstream local community

  9. Local College First Drivers for change include: • Government priority to improve transition to adulthood for young learners with disabilities. • Changes in educational funding since 2013 meant that Councils have to ensure adequate provision for young learners with disabilities up to age 25. • Increased financial risks for Education and Adult Social Care resulting in significant budget pressures (LBB in excess of £2.3 million)

  10. Local College First • Identification of disabled young people who live away from their families at residential establishments as …. • “potentially the most vulnerable and least visible pupils in the education system” • (Audit Commission 2007-2008)

  11. Local College First • The Journey……… We worked across council departments and in partnership with a range of stakeholders to develop personalised and innovative provision that tailors support to the needs of young learners.

  12. Local College First Stakeholders include.... • CCG & Health providers • FE Colleges & Schools • Adult Social Care • Education • Children's Services • Employment • Transport • Prospects (Connexions)

  13. Local College First And most critically…… Parents and young learners themselves

  14. Local College First Opportunities for Change helped by: • Adult Social Care and Education being in the same Directorate and sharing common risks and interests. • Governance through a Transitions Steering Board. • Consensus that the status quo could not remain. • Facilitated change recognised as being in everyone’s interests. • Some parents not happy that local provision was not available

  15. Local College First A typical Local College First programme includes: • A three day accredited college course including independent life skills.   • A trained personal assistant for up to 55 hours per week, including weekends, to support the young learner and enable the transference of skills. • A supported living placement with a focus on learning and maximizing independent living skills.   • 1 Day job club (Bexley 2Fold) or work experience. • 1 Day adult education to undertake pre entry courses.

  16. Local College First • Support also includes…. •  Independent travel training usually with the PA. • Transport (including a taxi service)  • Health and therapies input, e.g., SALT.

  17. Local College First • Financial Modelling • The following illustrates the cost comparisons that informed decision making.

  18. Local College First

  19. Local College First Benefits • Year 1 – 10 young learners participated in LCF • Year 1 - 0 young learners went to ISP’s • Year 2 – 6 young learners participating in LCF • Year 2 – 4 young learners went to ISP’s (complex needs, agreed for 1 year and reviewed monthly)

  20. Local College First At the end of Year 1 we commissioned an independent evaluation led by an external service user. Positive feedback received from all stakeholders included:

  21. Local College First • Parents and carers saying the young learners were happier and very engaged in the social element. • Praise from tutors for the high calibre of the PA’s in facilitating young learners independence. • High success rate of placing young learners in “job club” throughSupported Employment (Bexley 2Fold). • When interviewed, young learners indicated they were happier now than at the same time last year before LCF began.

  22. Local College First What did we learn? • More and better communication needed with parents and young learners from an early stage, of the benefits of local support. • Transport providers needed more detailed information regarding the needs of young learners • A longer lead in time for the PA’s to get to know the young learner. • Colleges to give parents regular progress updates to alleviate anxieties.

  23. Local College First Positive outcomes to date: • 80% reduction in the use of residential college placements. • High satisfaction rates among young learners and parents. • Immediate and recurrent cost savings.

  24. Local College First • Most importantly….. The young learners experience Inclusion in their local communities

  25. Local College First Continuing to transform the lives of young learners by: • Educating and communicating from age 14 with parents and young learners. • Building on the existing support infrastructure, particularly with health providers. • More opportunities being identified to maximise independence, through supported and independent living (Council and independent providers)

  26. Local College First • Travel training for life on public transport. • Focus on education progress including accredited and life skills. We will continue to integrate as far as possible young learners into their local community.

  27. Local College First In conclusion: We shall continue to improve, monitor and review the programme with all stakeholders, and seek to ensure positive social and educational outcomes with young learners and their parents.

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