West Berkshire Training Consortium (WBTC)

Last updated: 26/04/2023

West Berkshire Training Consortium is a not for profit provider who contracts with the Govenment Education Funding Agency and Skills Funding Agency. We provide a wide range of opportunities for 16 - 24 year olds and adults as funded by the Government.

This includes: EFA Study Programme, Workbased Learning and GCSE English and Maths and/or Literacy and Numeracy and SFA Traineeships and Apprenticeships. The Consortium provide a wide range of Apprenticeships and other services for Employers. A wide range of young people use the services and cater for Learners with a  Learning Difficulty and/or Disability. The aim is to:

  • Support young people into Apprenticeships with local employers;
  • Target those who are NEET and get them into learning or work;
  • Provide innovative and added value services not provided by other local colleges and providers.

Above information available on the West Berkshire Training Consortium web site: www.wbtc-uk.com

Who to contact

Telephone
01635 35975
E-mail
info@wbtc-uk.com
Website
West Berkshire Training Consortium

Where to go

Name
West Berkshire Training Consortium, Consortium House,
Address
7, Cheap Street
Newbury
Postcode
RG14 5DD

Local Offer

Description

West Berkshire Training Consortium is a not for profit provider who contracts with the Govenment Education Funding Agency and Skills Funding Agency. We provide a wide range of opportunities for 16 - 24 year olds and adults as funded by the Government. This includes: EFA Study Programme, Workbased Learning and GCSE English and Maths and/or Literacy and Numeracy and SFA Traineeships and Apprenticeships. We provide a wide range of Apprenticeships and other services for Employers. We have a wide range of young people use our services and cater for Learners with a  Learning Difficulty and/or Disability. Our charitable aim is to:

  • Support young people into Apprenticeships with local employers;
  • Target those who are NEET and get them into learning or work;
  • Provide innovative and added value services not provided by other local colleges and providers.

Above information available on the West Berkshire Training Consortium web site: www.wbtc-uk.com

Local Offer Age Bands
15 to 16
16 to 18

Further Education Colleges

1. Identification of SEND
1.1: How does the College identify those young people with special educational needs and disabilities who have not previously been identified?

We offer full Information Advice and Guidance by qualified practitioners and conduct assessments on functional skills. We access the URN Database that sets out the individuals previous educational history. Where the need is identified we submit individuals for an EHC assessment.

2. Support for young people with special educational needs
2.1: If a young person is identified as having SEND, who will plan their education programme?

Candidates will be assigned a Study Programme co-ordinator and mentor. The Manager responsible is Claire Richards

2.2: How will I be informed / consulted about the ways in which my child is being supported?

All learners provide the contact details for their guardian/parent and we are very happy for any contact concerning the engagement of the learner.

Our safeguarding policy sets out the details of our proceedure for all contact with those engaged with WBTC

See http://www.wbtc-uk.com/staying-safe-wbtc  and

http://www.wbtc-uk.com/health-and-well-being

2.3: How will the college balance my child's need for support with developing their independence?

The Learning programmes at WBTC are focused on enabling the learner to progress to gainful employment and their role within the community. We do not offer a full educational programme for young people not yet able to progress or interact within the community. All support ensures the young person has the skills to progress and where these are poor the young persons learning plan will include support for these skills. We can provide mentoring to assist one to one and additional literacy/numercy support one to one or assistance in class.

See http://www.wbtc-uk.com/health-and-well-being

2.4: How will the College match/differentiate the curriculum for the young person's special educational needs?

It is not a wide curriculum at WBTC and is focused on progressing the young person to work or further vocational education or Apprenticeships. Each Learner has an individual plan that sets out any additional needs for this journey. Programmes will usually engage the learner with employers and work based learning when the young person is ready. There is a range of enrichment opportunities for our learners depending on their interests.

See http://www.wbtc-uk.com/health-and-well-being 

2.5: What teaching strategies does the college use for young people with SEND, including ASD, hearing impairment, visual impairment and speech & language difficulties?

The strategies are person centred and as appropriate to the Learners needs. Inspected by OfSTED our last Inspection was a Grade 2 so the approach we have is considered effective. Were needed specialist assistance will be considered and if we are unable to provide to the learners needs our IAG will indicate alternative opportunities 

2.6: What additional staffing does the college provide from its own budget for young people with SEND?

We provide what ever is required irrespective of the budget and if we cant professionally meet the need our IAG will signpost an alternative provision

2.8: What resources and equipment does the College provide for young people with SEND?

All learners recieve financial support subject to status. We source equipment as and if needed

2.9: What special arrangements can be made for the young person when taking examinations?

Readers avaialble

2.10: What accredited and non accredited courses does the College offer for young people with SEND?

We have a wide range of Awards from the Awarding Body Pearsons, including BTEC and GCSE Maths and english

3. The young person's progress.
3.1: How will the College monitor the young person's progress and how will the young person and or parents/carers be involved in this, (if appropriate)?

In accord with our funding requirements full records are kept on Learners assesssments and progression and as indicated in the OfSTED inspection framework

3.2: When the young person's progress is being reviewed, how will new targets be set and how will parents/carers be involved, (if appropriate)?

Parents Carers are involved if requested and as is the Learners preferrence.

3.3: ln addition to the college's normal reporting arrangements, what opportunities will there be for parents/carers to discuss a young person's progress with college staff?

at any time subject to respecting the wishes of the individual

3.4: What arrangements does the college have for regular home to college contact, if appropriate?

as above

3.5: How can parents/carers support a young person's learning?

encouragement

3.6: Does the college offer any help for parents/carers to enable them to support the young person's learning, e.g. training or learning events?

not usually but we can signpost to appropriate assistance

3.7: How will the young person's views be sought about help they are getting and the progress they are making?

Pastoral sessions and surveys external and internal

3.8: How does the college assess the overall effectiveness of its SEN provision and how can parents / carers and young people take part in this evaluation?

As a funded Provider both our funder and OfSTED assess effectiveness as well as our own programme reviews

4. Supporting the young persons wellbeing
4.1: What support is available to promote the emotional and social development of young people with SEND?

See web site

4.3: What medical support is available in the College for young people with SEND?

none

4.4: How does the College manage the administration of medicines?

only in so far as the learner can be guided to self administration or a parent/carer can support

4.5: How does the College provide help with personal care where it is needed, for example, help with toileting, eating?

Our programmes are unlikely to be suitable for an indidual requiring extensive personal care support, but if appropriate we would be happy for the individuals carer to be involved

5. Specialist services available / accessed at the college
5.1: What SEN support services does the college use, e.g. specialist support workers, educational psychologists, teachers for hearing impairment and visual impairment, ASD advisory teachers, behaviour support teachers etc?

We use signers and would explore other assistance as the need arises

5.2: What should a parent/carer do if it is considered that a young person needs support from one of these services?

We would work with the parent/carer

5.3: How are speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy services provided?

none

5.5: What arrangements does the college have for liaison with Children's and Adult's Social Care services?

We work closely with social care as indicated in any EHC plan

6. Training of college staff in special needs
7. Activities outside the college including trips
8. How accessible is the college environment?
9. Preparing to join the college / next stage of education
10. Who can parents contact to discuss a young person?

West Berkshire Council do not promote or endorse any of the services listed in this Directory. For more information on this please read our disclaimer.

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