Our Commitment

Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW college) is dedicated to providing an inclusive learning environment where every learner can thrive. We believe in equal access to education and high aspirations for all learners, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our approach aligns with the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice (0–25 years), and Worcestershire’s SEND Strategy priorities.

About Us

HoW College is a large General Further Education (GFE) college offering vocational, technical, and professional courses from Entry Level to Higher Education. We support learners aged 16 and above across four main campuses and several smaller sites in Worcestershire. Our provision includes:
-    Mainstream Vocational and Technical Courses from entry level up to Level 3 
-    Higher Education
-    Adult Skills
-    Apprenticeships
-    The Base – discreet SEND provision at Redditch and Worcester campuses.
-    Supported Internships
-    Infinity – bespoke programme for learners with autism who have been out of education.
-    National Star @ HoW College – specialist provision in partnership with National Star for learners with complex needs

Our Discreet SEND Provision

The Base:
Located at Redditch and Worcester campuses.
Facilities include an independent living flat, sensory room, and sensory garden.
Programmes focus on Preparation for Adulthood, employability, independent living and community inclusion. Learners also study English and math alongside their main qualification. 

How We Support Learners

Our provision ensures every learner has an equal opportunity to progress and succeed. Inclusive, high-quality teaching is available to all through ordinarily available support. Learners with identified SEND co-produce an individual learning plan tailored to their needs and future goals, including individual support interventions. Learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) receive personalised, outcome-focused support tailored to the needs as outlined in their plan, ensuring progress towards agreed outcomes.

We follow the graduated approach: Assess – Plan – Do – Review.

- Assess: Gather information from previous education, assessments, and learner input.
- Plan: Agree outcomes and support strategies with learners and parents/carers. Advise on and create progression pathways with our learners. 
- Do: Deliver study programmes with appropriate adjustments and support.
- Review: Regularly monitor progress and adapt support as needed. Facilitate annual EHCP reviews with our learners.

Additional academic and pastoral support is provided by Personal Tutors (through 1:1 and class delivery of the THRIVE curriculum), Learning Support Assistants, Personal learning Coaches and Academic Skills Mentors. 

We also offer a careers information, advice and guidance service and a wellbeing service for learners to access confidential specialist support.   

Our student experience coaches and HoWRU hub provides a programme of workshops, information and support around the THRIVE curriculum, personal development, equality and diversity and preparation for adulthood.

Identification of Needs

We identify SEND through:
- EHCP documentation and consultation
- Annual reviews and transition visits
- Application and interview disclosures including additional information from the learner, parent / carer and previous setting.
- Initial and ongoing assessment 

Transition & Preparation for Adulthood

We work in partnership with schools, local authorities, families, employers, and external support providers to ensure seamless transitions into our college and onward to higher education, employment, volunteering, or community opportunities.
Our programmes promote:
- Independence
- Employment readiness
- Community inclusion
- Health and wellbeing

Co-Production & Feedback

We actively contribute to the local authority’s SEND improvement plan and co-production efforts through forums and workshops, ensuring our learners have meaningful opportunities to participate in shaping services. 
At HoW College, we continuously enhance our services by listening to learners—through feedback, forums, and student ambassadors who champion their peers’ voices and contribute to meaningful improvements.
**This document provides an overview of the services we offer to learners with SEND. It is not exhaustive, and we recognise that every young person’s circumstances and needs are unique. We welcome enquiries to discuss how we can support individual learners.
For details of our full course offer, please visit our website. 

Accessibility

This Local Offer is available in alternative formats (large print, easy read) on request. Please contact our high needs team for details: highneedsteam@howcollege.ac.uk

Complaints & Feedback

If you would like to provide feedback or are dissatisfied with SEND provision at HoW College, please follow our Complaints Policy by emailing: quality@howcollege.ac.uk 

Contact Us

For SEND enquiries:
Email:

highneedsteam@howcollege.ac.uk

specialistlearningsupport@howcollege.ac.uk  
Phone:

Redditch 01527 572552

Worcester 01905 72555
Website: https://www.howcollege.ac.uk

Useful Links

For more information on Worcestershire’s SEND Local Offer, including Preparation for Adulthood visit:
https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/council-services/schools-education-and-learning/send-local-offer

For additional Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, advice and support, visit:
https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/sendiass

Specialist Learning Support

Specialist Learning Support

• Learning Support Assistants (LSAs)