Last reviewed: November 2025
How we identify and support learners with additional needs, and how we keep our provision inclusive.
Download signed PDFCreated on 18th February 2025
Review date 18th February 2026
Introduction
equitably, fairly, and with due regard, providing reasonable adjustments for identified learning difficulties, disabilities, and medical conditions, including mental health difficulties. The company’s ethos of inclusion, widening participation, and promoting equality and diversity is encapsulated in this policy, defining the scope, principles, available services, and approach to supporting students/apprentices for long-term success.
nurtures students to become increasingly confident, independent individuals, through the provision of engaging, stimulating, and challenging learning opportunities. The company is committed to meeting the individual needs of students through diverse provision and assessment methods. Its culture is rooted in tolerance and respect, ensuring fair and dignified treatment for all.
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February
students/apprentices with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) have opportunities and support to enable them to succeed and achieve their potential. Aligned with the strategic priorities of the company, it outlines how Creative Process Digital will meet statutory requirements under the SEND Code of Practice, Children and Families Act 2014, Special Education Needs and Disability Regulations 2014, and the Equality Act 2010.
difficulties as described in the SEND Code of Practice emphasises that all teachers are educators of students with SEND, with additional Learning support provision complementing high-quality teaching, learning, and assessment. Additionally, all staff share the responsibility of making reasonable adjustments for students with SEND.
(ALS) provision, which aims to promote inclusion.
2.2. Equity is a core principle in preparing students with knowledge, skills, behaviours, and attitudes for successful transitions into adult life, supported employment, or independent living. The company places students at the heart of decision-making processes and aims to maximise the use and effectiveness of ALS funding and other funding streams.
their duty to consider the needs of all students, making reasonable adjustments when necessary. Where necessary, external specialist support may be procured in response to Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), with collaboration and support from local authorities.
awareness of students' disabilities and learning difficulties, preferably as part of the pre- entry or transition process. Through effective support strategies and data-driven decisions, the company strives to ensure that it provides an inclusive environment.
and relevant professionals, agencies, and organisations in a timely and collaborative manner, aiming for the best possible outcomes for its students.
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February
3.1. This policy applies to all teaching and support staff at the company and to all further education (FE) students who have:
3.1.1. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
3.1.2. Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD)
3.1.3. Medical needs for which support is required to access learning
3.1.4. Mental health needs
3.1.5. Communication needs
3.1.6. General difficulties
providing appropriate additional learning support (ALS). From the funding available it will determine how best to target and deploy learning support resources to maximise participation and achievement.
3.3. To meet the diverse educational and personal needs of students and apprentices, support packages are tailored through a careful review process. These packages may encompass various elements, such as:
3.3.1. Assessments for exam arrangements
3.3.2. Communication Support Workers for Deaf students/apprentices
3.3.3. Adjustment of course materials
3.3.4. Drop-in support
3.3.5. Exam support for students with exam arrangements
3.3.6. In-class support – one-to-one and/or group Learning Support Assistants (LSAs) or
3.3.7. Mobility assistance
3.3.8. Note takers
3.3.9. One-to-one support outside of class
3.3.10. Small group support outside of class
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February 3.3.11. Support with assistive technology
opportunities to access additional learning support to assist in achieving their primary learning goals, and that all staff are aware of the company’s additional learning support & inclusion procedure and their responsibilities to:
4.1.1. Promote equality and participation in all aspects of company life;
4.1.2. Ensure individualised strategies are in place to support learning and improve outcomes;
4.1.3. Monitor the impact and quality of support delivered to individuals or groups of students.
Children & Families Act (2014), the SEND Code of Practice (2014) and the Equality Act (2010). As part of these requirements, and in line with funding guidance, the company must also work in collaboration with relevant local authorities as part of general practice.
principles that underscore the company’s commitment to inclusivity, effectiveness, and continuous improvement:
and apprentices feel encouraged to openly disclose any additional needs.
ensure this.
informed advice and guidance to students prior to, and upon, course entry.
disability and/or learning difficulty, at which point they are offered the opportunity to discuss their individual needs.
5.6. The company is committed to responding to declarations of student need.
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February
of students wherever possible, and to make reasonable adjustments.
employ a comprehensive range of strategies to tailor appropriate and flexible support programmes to reduce those barriers and narrow the attainment gap where applicable.
appropriate, a tailored support package is planned, empowering students and apprentices to develop self-reliance.
apprentices is coherent, well-planned, and effective, addressing diverse needs seamlessly.
company.
6.1. The company: refers to Creative Process Digital.
or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them. A person has a learning difficulty or disability if they:
6.2.1. Have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others of the same age, or
6.2.2. Have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of facilities of a kind generally provided for others of the same age in mainstream schools or mainstream post-16 institutions.
6.3. Disability: A person is identified as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities:
6.3.1. ‘Substantial’ is more than minor or trivial, e.g. it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed;
6.3.2. ‘Long-term’ means 12 months or more, e.g. a breathing condition that develops because of a lung infection.
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February
above, or significantly different to, provision normally provided to all students.
agencies, each with discrete regulations, requirements, and quality assurance frameworks. These funding sources collectively contribute to the ALS framework that supports students and apprentices. Agencies include:
7.1.1. Department for Education
7.1.2. Adult Skills Fund (19+)
8.1. Students are encouraged to disclose their needs at multiple stages: pre-application, application, post-application, during induction, and throughout their course.
relevant local authority, with initial screenings identifying additional needs.
assessments when required and identifies support packages across all aspects of the students’/apprentices’ programmes.
details recorded on Dropbox and Smart Assessor.
end-of-course support packages are evaluated for students progressing onto further courses.
appropriate arrangements, such as extra time, a reader or a scribe, an assessment is usually necessary to identify any underlying learning difficulties. Students who have previously had exam arrangements or suspect they have a learning difficulty affecting their exam performance can request an assessment through their Tutor, Learning Support Assistant or Operations Manager. The company requires that a referral is made
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February from the relevant teaching staff to ensure that the correct arrangements are applied for to support the various qualifications the student may be completing.
9.2. It is important to note that previous access arrangements from another institution, such as secondary school, do not automatically carry over to the company.
laptop/word processor, separate/smaller shared rooms, or read aloud accommodations can be granted without a full assessment. There must be clear evidence that these accommodations represent the student’s normal way of working. For instance, if a student uses a laptop/word processor, it should be their primary method for note-taking and coursework throughout their studies.
purposes, there must be substantial supporting evidence from a suitable health care professional stating that this accommodation is necessary for the student to take the exam. Without this evidence, a separate room will not be permitted, although alternative options will be explored.
10.1.1. Collection and Storage: All information regarding students’ additional support needs will be collected, stored, and managed in accordance with the company’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Policy. This includes secure digital storage systems and restricted access to sensitive information.
10.1.2. Usage: Information will only be used for the purpose of providing appropriate support and accommodations.
10.2.1. Privacy: Students’ personal information and details about their support needs will be kept confidential. Only relevant staff members involved in providing support will have access to this information.
10.2.2. Disclosure: Information will not be disclosed to external parties without the students’ explicit consent, unless required by law or when there is a significant risk to the student or others.
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February
of-practice-0-to-25
Creative Process Digital – Additional Learning Support and Inclusion Policy – February
