Available learning support
Once you are referred by your tutor you will be interviewed so your support needs can be identified and an individual support programme can be arranged.

Learning Support Options

• 1:1 support for reading and writing, numeracy, study skills and personal organisation
• Dyslexia support and specialist assessment for Exam Access Information
• Mentor support
• ESOL and language support for students not on full time ESOL courses
• The loan of specialist equipment for an identified disability while you are attending College
• A communicator for hearing impaired learners
• A carer/personal assistant for learners whose disability prevents them from being independent
• Counselling and support for learners with mental health issue

Our Learning Support Staff

• Literacy, language and numeracy specialists who teach learners on a one to one and small group basis.
• Dyslexia specialists who can assess you for extra time, readers or scribes in your exams if you meet the criteria.
• A signer/communicators for the hearing impaired.
• ESOL language development tutors.
• Carers to help students with learning and physical difficulties in class

Other support
Learning Resources Centre (Library) staff, welfare, careers and counselling staff and the Achievement Unit, as well as your personal tutor, will do all they can to help support you through your college career.

Equipment
We are continually investing in new equipment as well as training the staff on how to make the most of it for you.

Our Equipment

• The facility to change your accessibility options on College computers
• Roller mice
• Big key qwerty keyboards
• Large VDUs and enlarger for visually impaired and disabled learners
• Specialist software
• Induction loops and voice-activated software for hearing impaired learners

We can also provide you, within reason, any other specialist equipment that you need, as a practical adjustment.

Physical access
Most areas of the College are now fully accessible, but we are continuing to improve access. For areas of the College where no access is available, alternative arrangements will be made by course tutors and the Rooming Coordinator.

Exam Access Arrangements (formerly called Exam Concessions)
Usually, if you have an identified disability, medical need or specific learning disorder such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD, etc, you are entitled to help in your final exams.

We are privileged in Southgate College to have qualified staff who can assess you for access arrangements. Once you have been assessed the relevant arrangements, ie extra time, reader or scribe, use of a computer or modified papers, will be made in collaboration with the Examinations Officer.

Complaints and code of conduct
Our department works within the College's policy and procedure for making complaints. However, if you have any complaints specific to disability issues these can be dealt directly with the Learning Support and Disability Manager.

There is a code of conduct for disabled learners just as there is for all other learners across the college and this ensures that parents, carers and advocates are fully involved throughout.