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Post-16: Identifying Barriers and Understanding Needs

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A Group of Teenagers Around a Table

Identifying Barriers and Understanding Needs

Having a greater awareness of learning barriers and understanding needs can better equip teachers and school staff to understand the individual requirements of the students. Learning barriers and needs are individual for each student, and when they are properly understood, they are easier to overcome. The Education Endowment Foundation guidance report: Special Educational Needs in Mainstream Schools states that supporting young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) should be part of a proactive approach to supporting all pupils, not an ‘add-on.’

School Support

The below outlines how the school can support:

  • Calming environment: Staff create a calm classroom environment for learning where all students’ feel they belong, and their contributions are valued.
  • Signposting: Students are signposted to Health and well-being support and advice are available to students to self-access.
  • Easy read materials: Students are provided with written and digital materials with easy-to-read support for their health and well-being.
  • SEN in Mainstream Schools indicates that supporting high quality teaching improves outcomes for pupils with SEND. The Five-a-day principles [Size: 861 KB, File: PDF] are particularly well-evidenced as having a positive impact.
  • Education providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for students who are disabled. Scottish Action for Mental Health have a Solutions Guide [Size: 861 KB, File: PDF] which provides straightforward advice on making reasonable adjustments for students with mental health problems.

A targeted level of pastoral support may complement already established pastoral arrangements. This should be available daily from an adult who it is felt is most able to build a positive relationship.

  • Use of ICT and audio visual support.
  • Self-directed time out (this may require student to be able to identify a safe place to reduce anxiety to support student's access to the curriculum).
  • Interventions to develop positive relationships with key staff and to maximise participation.

Young People Explain Autism

Ambitious About Autism has a video where young people explain what it is really like being autistic and how you can best support people with autism.

Please watch in YouTube for more accessibility options. - opens in a new tab

Autistic children and young people can exhibit different behaviours to others. Ambitious about Autism has produced helpful information about what causes these behaviours and how you can support them. They also have information about supporting wellbeing and mental health.

Resources and Tips

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Resources
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