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Mission and ethos

Little Gate College aims

Currently only 5% of people with SEND are in paid employment.

The development of our programmes meets the Government agenda to double the capacity of the Supported Internship’s programme, as set out in the SEND and AP Improvement Plan (March 2023).

Achieving paid employment not only brings young people financial independence, but it can be key to:

  • building confidence and self-esteem
  • increasing health and well-being
  • developing new friendships and having social interactions
  • There are also benefits for the economy, employers, families, the local community, and wider society.

Little Gate College Mission

Little Gate is a supported employment charity enabling adults and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism to fulfil their work potential. This entails pre-employment training, work experience and routes into work through Supported Employment.

Little Gate College Vision

The vision for Little Gate College is to improve the number of people with SEND who are in paid employment.  Our Study Programmes will provide opportunity to a group of people who are currently underrepresented.

Future Ready

What is Future Ready: Learning for Life and Employment?

Future Ready is a 1-year person centred study programme for those who are interested in the world of work but may not have had the opportunity to develop the key skills needed. Future Ready gives students the opportunity to complete work experience, visit employers in the local area as well as continue with the required education elements. Students on Future Ready may be able to transition onto our Supported Internship programme when they finish.

It is a 4-day a week study programme: 2 days spent in education, and the other 2 days will be a combination of work experience placements, task or community days and employer visits. It also includes preparing for adulthood pathways of being part of a community, having a social life and friends and being able to maintain good health.

Students will be supported by a job coach on their work placement days, to provide the opportunity to explore the working environment and to develop in confidence and transferable skills.

This year will enable us to develop a secure and rounded understanding of the students’ needs to create a detailed vocational profile which will provide guidance and understanding should the young person wish to progress to a Supported Internship placement. Obviously, this is not a ‘one size fits all’ model and the individualised programmes mean that some students may be able to transition directly to paid employment after completing ‘Future Ready’.

I feel more independent, All the Job Coaches are good. They make me feel happy and make me feel welcome. I like my workplace and the people.

— Intern.

Can I do Future Ready: Learning for Life and Employment?

To be eligible for Future Ready: Learning for Life and Employment you need to be:

  • Aged 16-24 years old
  • Have a current EHCP
  • Have a desire to be in paid employment
  • Either travelling on public transport independently or wants to learn how to travel independently on public transport.

Where is Future Ready: Learning for Life and Employment based?

We are based in the Bexhill/Hastings/St Leonards area. With Work placements within this area. The education day will run from The Pelham in Bexhill.

We enjoyed hosting L, who was a larger-than-life character. It was only possible with the support of the support worker who ensured L stayed on task and helped with his understanding of jobs to be carried out.

— L’s employer.

What will the schedule be on Future Ready: Learning for Life and Employment?

Future Ready: Learning for Life and Employment is a 4 day a week study programme. You will be in education 2 days a week. The other 2 days will be a combination of work experience placements, Task or community days and employer visits. This will be supported by a Job Coach and gives you the opportunity to explore the working environment and to develop in confidence and transferable skills.

Future Ready: Preparing for Life and Employment
Day 1 Employer Visits/Task Days/Community Days
Day 2 Education
Day 3 Education
Day 4 Group / Individual Placements

 (20hrs – 23hrs per week)

Hours per academic year (36 weeks) = 720hrs – 828hrs*

  • 2 days education (6hrs per day)
  • 1 day placement 3-5hrs per day + travel
  • 1 day employer visit / task day / community day/ employability course (5-6hrs per day)

*Hours may differentiate to meet the needs of both the student and the employer.

Education days will cover English, Maths, PSHE, employability skills and work-related training (examples food hygiene, health, and safety).  Also included across the programme will  preparing for adulthood pathways of being part of a community, having a social life and friends and being able to maintain good health.

O has met lots of new people, he has learnt lots of new skills, he seemed to be popular with everyone in his 3 placements. He has a great work ethic and is always willing to have a go at everything.

— O’s parent

Future Ready FAQs for individuals, parents and carers

No, the Future Ready course is classed as an education study programme.

No, the Future Ready course is classed as an education study programme.

No, the benefits you access will not be affected whilst on the Future Ready course. If you progress into paid employment, then your benefits may be affected. We will work with you to ensure you are able to access the benefits you are entitled to.

The Future Ready course is classed as an education study programme and last for 1 academic year (36 working weeks) You may transition onto our Supported Internship programme at the end, and this also lasts 1 academic year (36 weeks).

Yes – please see term dates.

On Future Ready you will be supported by a Job Coach on work placements whilst you learn your role and tasks. As you become more confident and secure in your understanding of your role the Job Coach support may gradually reduce to build independence.

On education days the individual will be supported by the college tutor and college assistants.

As Future Ready is a full-time education study programme, students are not employed for their work-experience placement and therefore not paid.

Your Job Coach will support you to learn the journey to and from your work placement and education day through travel training to support you to become an independent traveller.

We encourage and develop individuals to use this day to explore activities within the local community (for example volunteering, attending the gym/swimming, or doing life admin tasks such as grocery shopping or laundry.)

No, as it is classed as an education study programme to be eligible for this the individual must have a current EHCP. If you are looking for support with employment and don’t have an EHCP please contact info@littlegate.org.uk to find out about our other supported employment routes.

To be eligible to enrol on Future Ready you must be 24 or under on 31 August 2024. If you are looking for support with employment and are older than 24 on this date, please contact info@littlegate.org.uk to find out about our other supported employment routes.

What happens next/after Future Ready?

When you complete the Future Ready course you might:

  • Transition onto Little Gate Supported Internship
  • Transition into Paid Employment*
  • Transition to another service in the local area*

Are you interested in joining Future Ready or Supported internships?

Supported Internships

What is Supported Internship?

Supported internships are a 1-year structured, work-based study programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with SEND, who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. The core aim of a Supported Internship study programme is a substantial work placement, facilitated by the support of an expert job coach. A Supported Intern spends the majority of their week in a real-life workplace working alongside colleagues.

Little Gate Supported Internship is a 4-day a week study programme. 3 days a week spent on placement. 1 day a week spent in education.

Can I do a Supported Internship?

To be eligible for a Supported Internship you need to be:

  • Aged 16-24
  • Have a current EHCP
  • Have a desire to be in paid employment
  • Either travelling on public transport independently or wants to learn how to travel independently on public transport.

Where is Little Gate Supported Internship based?

We are based in the Bexhill/Hastings/St Leonards area. With Work placements within this area. The education day will run from The Pelham in Bexhill.

What will the schedule be on Little Gate Supported Internship?

The supported internships programme is a 4 day a week study programme. You will be on work placement 3 days a week and in education 1 day a week.

Little Gate Supported Internship
Day 1 Placement
Day 2 Placement
Day 3 Placement
Day 4 Education

Supported Internship hours = 21hrs – 24hrs per week

Hours per academic year (36 weeks) = 756hrs – 864hrs*

  • 3 days placement 5-6hrs per day + travel
  • 1 day education (6hrs)

* Hours may differentiate to meet the needs of both the student and the employer.

Education days will cover English, Maths, PSHE, employability skills and work-related training (examples food hygiene, health and safety). Also included across the programme will be preparing for adulthood pathways of being part of a community, having a social life and friends and being able to maintain good health.

How will I be supported on the Supported Internship?

On the Supported Internship you will be supported by a Job Coach in work whilst you learn your role and tasks. As you become more confident and secure in your understanding of your role the Job Coach support may gradually reduce to build independence.

On education days the individual will be supported by the college tutor and college assistants.

Supported Internships FAQs for individuals, parents and carers

No, the Supported Internship is classed as an education study programme.

No, the Supported Internship is classed as an education study programme.

No, the benefits you access will not be affected whilst on the Supported Internship programme. If you progress into paid employment, then your benefits may be affected. We will work with you to ensure you are able to access the benefits you are entitled to.

Supported Internships are classed as an education study programme and last for 1 academic year (36 working weeks).

Work placements will be in the local area that match the type of work interns want to do. We look to match the skills that will be used across placements. We listen to the intern about the types of placements they are keen to try.

Yes – please see term dates.

Your Job Coach will support you to learn the journey to and from your work placement and education day through travel training to support you to become an independent traveller.

We encourage and develop individuals to use this day to explore activities within the local community (for example volunteering, attending the gym/swimming, or doing life admin tasks such as grocery shopping or laundry.)

No, as a Supported Internship is classed as an education study programme to be eligible for this all students must be aged 16-24 and have a current EHCP. If you are looking for support with employment and don’t have an EHCP please contact info@littlegate.org.uk to find out about our other supported employment routes.

No, as a Supported Internship is classed as an education study programme to be eligible for this the individual must be between 16-24 years old on 31 August 2024. If you are looking for support with employment and are older than 24, please contact info@littlegate.org.uk to find out about our other supported employment routes.

I feel more independent, All the Job Coaches are good. They make me feel happy and make me feel welcome. I like my workplace and the people.

— Intern.

What happens next/after A Supported Internship?

What happens after A Supported Internship?

When you complete a Supported Internship, the main aim is paid employment.  You might:

  • Have a paid job
  • Transition to a Supported Employment Provider
  • Start an Apprenticeship.

Are you interested in joining Future Ready or Supported internships?

Who will I work with?

The Little Gate College team is made up of several staff. Throughout the internship, Individuals will work with a combination of staff.

Natasha Chissell

Programme Manager

Natasha Chissell

Tracey Anne Cook

Client Engagement officer

Tracey Anne Cook

Gemma Mogford

Head of the College

Gemma Mogford

George Backler

College Job Coach

George Backler

Katya Marinova

College Learning Support Assistant

Katya Marinova

Laura Stokes

College Teacher

Laura Stokes

Janine Nuttall

College Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Janine Nuttall

Paul Veitch

College Job Coach

Paul Veitch

Clemmie Yarde

College Job Coach

Clemmie Yarde

Hannah Corke

Individual Needs Assistant (INA)

Hannah Corke

Student support

16 to 19 Vulnerable Groups Bursary Policy 2024 to 2025

Introduction

Little Gate Farm is a registered charity in England and Wales (1153584).

Scope

From September 2024 Little Gate will be opening its college for young people with high needs aged 16–24-years old.  The college receives a combination of funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the individual student’s home local authority.

Aim

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

  • bursaries for defined vulnerable groups.
  • discretionary bursaries which institutions award using policies they set, in line with the ESFA funding rules.

This policy sets out how the college will work with the bursary funds provided for defined vulnerable groups by the Student Bursary Support Fund.  Please see our separate policy, criteria and application process for the ESFA Discretionary Bursary.

Defined vulnerable groups

The ‘Defined Vulnerable Groups’ bursary fund is for students who are aged 16 or over but under 19 on 31 August 2024.  Little Gate College is responsible for informing students/parents/carers about the bursary so they can identify if they are eligible to apply. The bursary is allocated by the Student Bursary Support Fund and Little Gate College will make the application on behalf of students once it has confirmed their eligibility for the fund.  Little Gate College will assess the applications as they are submitted.  Applications can be made if students are:

  • in care
  • recent care leavers
  • receiving Income Support (IS), or Universal Credit (UC) because they are financially supporting themselves or financially supporting themselves and someone who is dependent on them and living with them, such as a child or partner
  • receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in their own right as well as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or UC in their own right

UC has now been fully rolled out and so young people aged 16 to 18 who apply now will no longer be in receipt of the other benefits listed above.

Care leavers

A ‘care leaver’ is defined as:

  1. a young person aged 16 and 17 who was previously looked after for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16; or
  2. a young person aged 18 or above who was looked after prior to becoming 18 for a period of 13 weeks consecutively (or periods amounting to 13 weeks), which began after the age of 14 and ended after the age of 16

Only students who meet this definition are eligible if they have a financial need.

What it can pay for

The bursary fund is intended to help students with the essential costs of participating in their study programme.  Help with the cost of essential books or equipment or with the cost of travelling to college, for example. The bursary fund is not intended to support costs not related to education (living costs), extra-curricular activities or provide learning support – services that colleges give to students – such as counselling, mentoring or extra tutoring.

Payments

Wherever possible, payments will be made in-kind rather than in cash.  Please note that even though a student may pass the eligibility criteria, they may not receive an award because their financial costs are already being met by other sources.  Or a reduced award could be made because the financial help they need is limited.  For example, a student may be in the care of a local authority that is covering the costs of their education in full.  Or travel costs are being met by a student’s local authority.

A bursary will only be paid if attendance and behaviour meet our required standards.

Other benefits

If you are successful in receiving bursary funding it does not affect receipt of other means-tested benefits paid to families, such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or, generally, Universal Credit.

Please note that our policy is to maintain strict confidentiality in the review and storage of any information that is held.

How to apply

You can download an application form, request that an application form is posted to you or collect one from the college.  We can help if you require any further information or have questions about how to complete your application.

There is also a guide for students (and parents) which can be found on the government’s website as follows: https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund.

16 to 19 (24) Discretionary Bursary Policy 2024 to 2025

Introduction

Little Gate Farm is a registered charity in England and Wales (1153584).

Scope

From September 2024 Little Gate will be opening its college for young people with high needs aged 16–24-years old.  The college receives a combination of funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and the individual student’s home local authority.

Aim

There are 2 types of 16 to 19 bursaries:

  • bursaries for defined vulnerable groups.
  • discretionary bursaries which institutions award using policies they set, in line with the ESFA funding rules.

This policy sets out how the college will work with the ‘Discretionary’ bursary fund.  Please see our separate policy, criteria and application process for the 16 to 19 Vulnerable Groups bursary fund.

Discretionary bursary fund

Each year the ESFA provides the college with made a small allocation of bursary funds to provide financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation, so they can remain in education.

Applications for discretionary bursary funds are open to students who are aged 16 to 19 on 31 August 2024, or aged 19 to 24 with and EHC Plan.  A bursary will only be paid if attendance and behaviour meet our required standards.

We will need to look at information that sets out your household income.  We have set a threshold of £45,000 to be eligible for a discretionary bursary.  This means that the total family household income must not exceed this amount.

Please note that our policy is to maintain strict confidentiality in the review and storage of these documents and any information that we hold.

What it can pay for

The bursary fund is intended to help students with the essential costs of participating in their study programme.  Help with the cost of essential books or equipment, uniform for work placements or with the cost of travelling to college, for example. The bursary fund is not intended to support costs not related to education (living costs), extra-curricular activities or provide learning support – services that colleges give to students – such as counselling, mentoring or extra tutoring.

Payments

All decisions about which students receive a discretionary bursary, and how much they receive, will be based on each student’s individual circumstances and their actual financial need. These will vary from student to student, depending on, for example, their household income, the distance they need to travel to the institution and the requirements of their study programme.

Students who meet the criteria are not automatically entitled to a bursary if they do not meet financial need or their needs are being met from another financial source.  They may receive a lower amount of bursary or no bursary at all in these circumstances.  Wherever possible, payments will be made in-kind rather than in cash.

Other benefits

If you are successful in receiving bursary funding it does not affect receipt of other means-tested benefits paid to families, such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or, generally, Universal Credit.

How to apply

You can download an application form, request that an application form is posted to you or collect one from the college.  We can help if you require any further information or have questions about how to complete your application.

Completed application forms, and supporting information, are considered by a panel to ensure that funds are allocated for those students who genuinely need them.

There is also a guide for students (and parents) which can be found on the government’s website as follows: https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund.

Free college meals

Little Gate College are implementing the Department for Education Policy in relation to free College meals.

For the 2024 to 2025 academic year the rate set is £2.53 per student per meal taken. The meal is provided for the days where a student attends College over the lunchtime period or is on an external work-placement.

If your child was already receiving a free meal at their school or College on or after 1 April 2018, they will continue to be entitled to receive a free meal in College for 2024-2025.  This applies even if your household earnings rise above the thresholds.  All students must also have an Education Health and Care Plan.  We will need to hold evidence of this entitlement and may contact you further or speak with the previous education provider.

If you wish to apply for a free College meal for the first time in 2024-2025 you must complete an application form.  The application process requires students and/or parents and carers to provide evidence of benefits that they are receiving.

Please contact the College if you would like to discuss this further or make an application.  Application deadline is 31st October 2024.  Please note that our policy is to maintain strict confidentiality in the review and storage of the evidence you provide to us.

Employer Information

To host an intern in a workplace can be immensely rewarding, to both the other employees and the wider business.

It can act as an extended working interview. A placement gives interns the opportunity to develop and showcase their skills over a longer period of time.

A placement gives employers the opportunity to test drive potential employees.

Provides motivated employees who are committed to your business.

An intern can bring new prospectives, ideas and skillsets to an employer or business.

Increases workplace diversity, to reflect the community.

It demonstrates great social responsibility.

Employers we have worked with have said ‘It has been a positive experience for everyone involved, the staff have benefitted from having direct experience with someone with a learning disability if they hadn’t done so before so I would say it has broadened everyone’s experience.’

For further information please click HERE.

Employer FAQs

A Future Ready placement would be 10-12 weeks in length and would be a group placement of 2-4 students 1 day a week. The students would be supported by a Job Coach to complete purposeful work within your workplace. A Future Ready placement would be 3-5 hours once a week. The students would have a colleague assigned to them as a mentor whilst on placement. This person would be the main point of contact. An employer may be happy to host groups of interns on a rotation basis 10-12 weeks at a time over the academic year.

A Supported Internship is a 1-year study programme. An individual will attend long term work placements typically each 10-12 weeks in length. The intern would attend work 3 days a week for around 4 – 6 hours per day. The intern would fulfil a real business need and would need to be held to the same standards as colleagues doing the same job.

The intern would be supported at work by a Job Coach. The intern will need to have a colleague assigned to them as a mentor whilst on placement. This person would be their main point of contact and the person who would show and teach them their tasks.

Before a placement starts, we would meet with you at the workplace to complete our Health and Safety and Job Analysis documents. We would arrange for the Job Coach to come in and learn the role the intern will be working.

During a placement employers are asked to complete regular in work reviews with the intern(s) and Job Coach to identify successes and next steps and actions that the intern(s) needs to focus on.

At the end of a placement, we ask that employers complete a placement evaluation.

No, the Future Ready and Supported Internship programmes are are classed as education study programmes. You would be offering a long term (10-12 weeks) work experience placement.

Supported Internships are classed as an education study programme and last for 1 academic year (36 working weeks) Employers typically host an intern for 10-12 weeks at a time.

The goal of a Supported Internship is ultimately paid work. There is no requirement to offer an intern a paid role, however if a workplace feels that a position would be appropriate for an intern to apply for, we will support the intern through the application process.

Future Ready and Supported Internships are classed as an education study programme and last for 1 academic year (36 working weeks) Employers typically host an intern for 10-12 weeks at a time.

For Future Ready, We would ask that employers host a small group of interns (2-4 interns). The group would be supported by 1-2 Job Coaches. We would talk to you about your business and jobs/roles you have to identify key tasks that the group can complete whilst at work.

For Supported Internships there is no set number of interns an employer can host. We would talk to you about your business and jobs/roles you have and ask you to identify how many interns you felt you could host in your business. Employers with a variety of departments/areas may be able to host more than one intern. Smaller employers may feel that one intern is enough, but may be happy to host interns on a rotation for 10-12 weeks at a time. The intern would be supported by a Job Coach.

As the Supported Internship programme is classed as education study programme the interns would be off work during East Sussex school holidays. We would ask that Interns are shown how to book their time off work using the same procedures as paid employees.

The intern will attend work with a Job Coach as they learn the role and tasks involved in their role. The Job Coach is there for the employer just as much as the intern. If you have any questions/queries or concerns, you can raise these with the Job Coach who can provide you with further advice/guidance and support.

We enjoyed hosting L, who was a larger-than-life character. It was only possible with the support of the support worker who ensured L stayed on task and helped with his understanding of jobs to be carried out.

— L’s employer.

Are you interested in joining Future Ready or Supported internships?

Statistics and impact

Statistics and impact

Little Gate Supported Internship Pilot Project ran September 2022 – July 2023. This pilot had 4 interns.

Over the Supported Internship year interns attended placements with 9 employers. Some placements were attended by 2 interns.

Over the Supported Internship year interns were on average on placements for 5hrs per day.

Over the Supported Internship year interns worked in a variety of sectors:

Care, Charity, Education, Hospitality, Manufacturing, Retail and Tourism.

50% are now in paid employment as a direct result of Internship placements.

50% are accessing Supported Employment services.

O has met lots of new people, he has learnt lots of new skills, he seemed to be popular with everyone in his 3 placements. He has a great work ethic and is always willing to have a go at everything.

— O’s parent