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HSDC (Alton Campus) - SEND Independence Hub

Offering services to:
  • Young people 16-18
Supporting people with:
  • Education, training and development
  • Special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND)

As part of Hampshire County Councils commitment to improving outcomes for young people with SEND, we are working with local colleges to deliver education and training resource provisions to support them to remain in their local communities and engage in inclusive post-16 education.

This provision will create high-quality, accessible, and effective learning within Hampshire’s further education network, to support young people with SLD (severe learning difficulties) and complex needs to develop independent living skills needed to participate and thrive within the college and their community.

HSDC is committed to delivering a variety of holistic inclusive study programmes to young people with a wide range of SEND needs.  Our new Independent Living Hub will provide a 5 day a week provision designed around the 4 Preparing for Adulthood outcomes to help young people develop the skills identified in their EHCPs and empower them to achieve their independent living and learning goals.

Who to contact

Contact Name
Sophie Owen
Contact Position
Independence Hub Manager (HSDC - Alton)
Telephone
01420 592408 01420 592408
E-mail
sophie.owen@hsdc.ac.uk
Website
https://www.hsdc.ac.uk/
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Where to go

Name
HSDC - Alton College
Address
Old Odiham Road
Alton
Hampshire
Postcode

GU34 2LX

View GU34 2LX on a map

Local Offer

Contact Name
Sophie Owen
Contact Telephone
01420 592408
Contact Email
sophie.owen@hsdc.ac.uk
What does your service do?

The educational offer focuses on pre-entry to Entry Level 1-2.

The bespoke learning offer will focus on the Preparing for Adulthood Principles, Independent living, Community, Health and Employment.

For anyone already achieving academically above this level, this offer would not represent educational progression – and would therefore be unsuitable, however Alton has a range of higher level courses in their Vocational and Foundation Learning department, so get in touch and they may be able to offer an appropriate provision between Entry Level 1 to Level 1.

  • Secure swipe in and out system operated by staff to always ensure student safety​
  • Dedicated drop off / pick up area for students on specialist or home transport​
  • A fully equipped hygiene room with changing bed, ceiling mounted electric hoist and shower facilities with additional accessible WCs​
  • Medical room for first aid and secure storage of medications​
  • Therapies room for SALT, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy​
  • Sensory Room​
  • Quiet Room​
  • Sensory garden for horticulture and relaxation​
  • An Independent Living Suite which includes a bedroom, a lounge and practical cookery kitchen​
  • Preparation kitchen for food storage and snacks​
  • 4 Accessible classrooms​
  • Social area for students to take breaks, eat lunch and meet up with friends​
  • First floor staff room that overlooks the student living skills area for additional safeguarding​
  • Electric wheelchair charging facility
Who does your service provide for?

Attendance is agreed between Hampshire County Council, College and young people and families.

Some Special Schools provide post 16 education and allow young people to stay with them until they are 19. If your School offers this you can decide to stay with them (in consultation with the school and SEN team), move on to an Independence Hub or access an alternative post 16 education offer.

This provision aims to provide a choice at post 16 – for some young people the chance to have a supported transition into an inclusive mainstream College, with all this has to offer, will be the right choice; for some young people staying in their Special School until 19 will be the right choice.

At 19 you might then be ready to leave education, or you may need more time to progress your learning. If you are aiming to attend Further Education HSDC Alton, alongside all of our Colleges in Hampshire, have a range of Vocational and Foundation courses available depending on what your ambitions are for the future: HSDC Course Finder - Browse and find the course for you | HSDC

If you are ready to leave education, you can gain support with transitioning to adult services through the Independent Futures Team Independent Futures Team - supporting young people to transition from childhood to adult social care | Family Information and Services Hub (hants.gov.uk)

The Hampshire post 16 transport provision strategy applies to this provision.

Where this provision is named on your EHCP you will be able to apply for post-16 transport in the same way as any other provision. You can find out more about Post-16 transport, eligibility and how to apply here: Post-16 school transport provision | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)

How can I start using the service?

Attendance is agreed between Hampshire County Council, College and young people and families.

Some Special Schools provide post 16 education and allow young people to stay with them until they are 19. If your School offers this you can decide to stay with them (in consultation with the school and SEN team), move on to an Independence Hub or access an alternative post 16 education offer.

This provision aims to provide a choice at post 16 – for some young people the chance to have a supported transition into an inclusive mainstream College, with all this has to offer, will be the right choice; for some young people staying in their Special School until 19 will be the right choice.

At 19 you might then be ready to leave education, or you may need more time to progress your learning. If you are aiming to attend Further Education HSDC Alton, alongside all of our Colleges in Hampshire, have a range of Vocational and Foundation courses available depending on what your ambitions are for the future: HSDC Course Finder - Browse and find the course for you | HSDC

If you are ready to leave education, you can gain support with transitioning to adult services through the Independent Futures Team Independent Futures Team - supporting young people to transition from childhood to adult social care | Family Information and Services Hub (hants.gov.uk)

The Hampshire post 16 transport provision strategy applies to this provision.

Where this provision is named on your EHCP you will be able to apply for post-16 transport in the same way as any other provision. You can find out more about Post-16 transport, eligibility and how to apply here: Post-16 school transport provision | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk)

Where is it located and what areas does it cover?

The Alton campus is in North Hampshire and serves a wide range of areas including Bordon, Petersfield, Basingstoke, Farnham and Winchester.

Learners from further away may be accessing HSDC Alton Campus, if it represents the best post 16 choice for them.

How are decisions made about who can use your service?

Decisions about eligibility for the hub are made with the young person, their family/carers, Hampshire County Council and appropriate college staff.

If you are unsure of your eligibility or want to discuss your EHCP, contact the SEN helpline on 01329 316165.

How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making?

We communicate with families and young people in a variety of ways, including face to face meetings with staff and other professionals, emails, text messages, letters and phone calls.

What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEN and Disabilities had or are having?

Staff receive a variety of training depending on their roles, including supporting learners with Severe and Complex Learning Difficulties and Autism Spectrum Conditions. Specialist staff have received training in Makaton, Speech Language and Communication Needs, Visual Impairment (including Braille at the Alton campus), Hearing Impairment, positive handling strategies and personal care (including managing simple medication).

How will I know my child is safe?

All college staff are trained in safeguarding children and young people.  There is a dedicated Health Care Assistant and manager within the hub.

We complete individualised health care assessments and behavioural plans for those that require them.

Full information on the colleges safeguarding policies, procedures and named contacts available on the website: Safeguarding & Prevent | HSDC

Which of the following applies to your setting?
  • Secure environment
  • Sensory adaptations
  • Low stimulus
  • Accessible changing
  • Sensory area
  • Accessible toilets
  • Wheelchair access
Offering services to:
  • Young people 16-18
Supporting people with:
  • Education, training and development
  • Special educational needs and or disabilities (SEND)

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Last Updated: 24 March 2023

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