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SEND Pathways Overview

A comprehensive guide to our specialist pathways for learners with learning disabilities. Each pathway is designed to provide the right level of support, challenge, and progression, ensuring every learner can grow in confidence, independence, and skills.

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A comprehensive guide to our specialist pathways for learners with learning disabilities. Each pathway is designed to provide the right level of support, challenge, and progression, ensuring every learner can grow in confidence, independence, and skills.

Pathway 2

Pathway to Independence

A life skills focused programme designed to help learners build confidence, independence, and community participation.

Who This Pathway Is For

  • Those developing independence but still needing structured support
  • Learners preparing for greater autonomy at home and in the community

What Students Learn

  • Travel training and safe travel
  • Managing money and budgeting
  • Cooking and healthy living
  • Personal safety and safeguarding awareness
  • Communication and social interaction
  • Community access and participation

Progression Routes

  • Pathway to Progression 
  • Supported living or community programmes 
  • Volunteering opportunities 
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Pathway to independence outdoor group children teens dartington devon
Pathway to progression learning disabilities guitar playing dartington devon
Pathway to progression teen outside with pumpkin dartington devon

Pathway 3

Pathway to Progression

A structured programme for learners ready to build on existing skills and move towards vocational learning or greater independence. 

Who This Pathway Is For

  • Those developing confidence and independence 
  • Learners exploring progression options with support 

What Students Learn

  • Functional English and Maths 
  • Personal development and resilience 
  • Independent living skills 
  • Vocational tasters in areas such as hospitality, horticulture, digital skills, retail, and more 
  • Communication and teamwork 

Progression Routes

  • Pathway to Skills for Employment 
  • Level 1 vocational programmes 
  • Supported Internships 
  • Volunteering or community based activities 

Pathway 4

Pathway to Skills for Employment or a Pre-Internship Year

A practical, work focused programme designed to prepare learners for Supported Internships or employment. 

Who This Pathway Is For

  • Those motivated to explore employment options 
  • Learners preparing for a Supported Internship 

What Students Learn

  • Employability skills: timekeeping, teamwork, communication, problemsolving 
  • Functional English and Maths linked to workplace tasks 
  • Digital skills for employment 
  • Vocational training in areas such as hospitality, catering, retail, customer service, horticulture, and business administration 

Work-Related Learning

  • Supported work placements 
  • Onsite work experience 
  • Employer visits and workshops 
  • Enterprise projects

Progression Routes

  • Supported Internships 
  • Level 1 vocational programmes 
  • Paid or supported employment 
Pathway to skills learning via supported internships student on computer dartington devon
Pathway to skills to employment girl field assessment dartington devon
Pathway to skills learning disabilities supported internship working student dartington devon
Pathway to skills learning disabilities supported internship cooking student dartington devon

Pathway 5

Supported Internships

A full-time, work based programme for learners ready to transition into employment.

Who This Pathway Is For

  • Those ready for extended workplace learning 
  • Learners aiming for paid employment or supported employment 

Work Placements in a Range of Sectors, such as

  • Catering 
  • Hospitality 
  • Retail 
  • Customer service 

How the Programme Works

  • 3–4 days per week in real workplaces 
  • Job coach support 
  • Classroom learning in employability, English, Maths, and personal development 

Progression Routes

  • Pathway to Skills for Employment 
  • Level 1 vocational programmes 
  • Supported Internships 
  • Volunteering or community based activities 

Pathway to Skills for Life

A supportive, personalised programme for learners who need a nurturing environment to develop essential life skills, independence and preparation for adulthood 

Who This Pathway Is For

  • Those wishing to focus on life skills and preparation for adulthood 

What Students Learn

  • Functional English and Maths through real-life contexts 
  • Communication and interaction skills 
  • Personal and social development 
  • Independent living skills: cooking, budgeting, travel training, personal safety 
  • Community participation and confidence building 

Progression Routes

  • Vocational programmes 
  • Community based programmes 
  • Employment 
  • Supported Living 
Pathway skills for life teens coasteering climbing caving dartington devon
Pathway skills for life teens cooking smiling dartington devon

Our Commitment

Across all pathways, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where learners with learning disabilities can thrive. Each pathway is designed to build confidence, independence, and the skills needed for adulthood and employment. 

Our Partners & Accreditations

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    what our students have to say

  • I knew I wanted to be a chef since my late teens and Lifeworks helped me a lot to get there
  • My teachers were a great help, very supportive
  • Built up great experience to put on my CV
  • Gives you good independent living
  • The focus was always on my 'ability', not my disability
  • I did a work placement at a hairdressers in Plymouth whilst studying
  • Lifeworks taught me that people are capable of so much
  • My hope for the future is to be happy and be good at my job
  • Unmissable for people with learning struggles like myself
  • They fed my beliefs and helped me believe in myself
  • Friendly with a really nice vibe
  • A big lift for my confidence and skills.

LIFEWORKS OFSTED REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

“The wide-ranging and diverse curriculum gives students good opportunities to experience new activities and helps them to make choices about their futures.”

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