• Specialism:
  Severe-moderate learning difficulties, epilepsy, related syndromes, communication difficulties, autism
• Residential/Day:
  Residential and day places
• Course Start Dates:
  Courses start September
• Course Length per Year in weeks:
  38 weeks per year
• Maximum Student Numbers:
  Maximum 80+ learners
• Age Range:
  Age 16-25

General Description of College:
Mencap National College provides further education for Learners with severe to moderate learning disabilities. All our sites (Dilston, Northumberland; Lufton, Somerset and Pengwern, Denbighshire) are set in beautiful countryside, providing a range of vocational learning environments including working café and bakery, catering, horticulture, car valeting, small animal farm, parkland, grounds maintenance, workshop skills, creative arts, ICT, drama and pottery are also offered. Learners are taught skills essential for a successful transition to adult life 'Preparing Learners for the next stage in their lives'.

The Curriculum:
Learners are encouraged and supported to be independent through a curriculum that offers a wide range of work-focused experiences. Skills for life are encouraged through a curriculum that embeds literacy and numeracy, including use of sign and symbols where appropriate. The extended curriculum enables Learners to learn life skills through a range of evening and weekend activities including theatre, cinema, bowling, swimming, walking, personal care, shopping, drama productions, Summer ball, football, student council and much much more!

Specialist Facilities:
Inclusive day student facilities Support is tailored to the needs of learners Speech and language therapist Art Therapist Counselling Learning resource centre ICT suite – internet and email access for all learners

Statements:

1. expertise in meeting the needs of students with moderate learning difficulties
2. expertise in meeting the needs of students with severe learning difficulties
3. expertise in working with learners with autism spectrum disorder
4. expertise in working with students who have specific learning difficulties
5. opportunities to work towards qualifications within Foundation Learning
6. a programme to help learners to look after themselves more independently
7. opportunities to take part in a wide range of social, leisure and sporting activities
8. opportunities to improve literacy, numeracy and/or communication skills
9. specialist orientation and mobility training to enable independent travel
10. opportunities to prepare for work after college
11. a work placement scheme with local employers
12. opportunities to prepare for further training after college
13. opportunities to explore a range of living options after college
14. a transition programme into independent living
15. a range of therapeutic services
16. in-house speech and language therapy
17. opportunities to improve communication skills such as the use of Makaton, Bliss, symbols or objects of reference
18. registered with the Care Quality Commission
19. residential provision extending beyond the academic year
20. day provision