Willow Green CIO

About the students

Our Vision is to empower our learners to participate fully in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals. We welcome learners with a diverse range of learning difficulties and disabilities, including moderate to severe learning disabilities, specific learning disabilities, physical disabilities, communication needs, Autism Spectrum conditions, Epilepsy, Down’s Syndrome, Williams Syndrome and Fragile X Syndrome.

Catchment

Willow Green are based in Warrington and work with several local authorities including Warrington, Wigan, Halton, Merseyside, East Cheshire and the Northwest

Curriculum

Pre-Supported and Supported Internships

For Young Adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Our internship programmes support young adults with SEND who want to move into employment and need additional guidance to achieve this. Learners develop confidence, independence, and real workplace skills, with the aim of progressing into paid work where possible.

Benefits of an Internship

Learners will benefit from:

• A personalised training programme

• Opportunities to develop English, Maths and ICT skills

• A real possibility of paid employment at the end of the programme

• Close support from both an employer and a qualified job coach

• Hands-on work experience with a range of employers

• Learning skills directly in the workplace

Pre-Supported Internships

Duration: 1 year or 2 years
Structure:

• 3 days in college

• 2 days work experience per week

• Supported by a qualified job coach

Weekly Timetable

• Monday, Tuesday, Friday: College

• Wednesday, Thursday: Work placement

Year 1 of a 2-Year Pre-Supported Internship

Learners will study:

• Functional Skills: Maths

• Functional Skills: English

• Vocational Studies

• Work Skills

• PSHE / RSE

• Enterprise

• Community Engagement

• Work experience at Westy Café

Year 2 of a Pre-Supported Internship

(or a 1-Year Pre-Supported Internship)
Learners will study:

• Functional Skills: Maths

• Functional Skills: English

• Vocational Studies

• Work Skills

• PSHE / RSE

• Travel Training

• Work experience at Westy Café

Supported Internships

Duration: 1 year
Structure:

• 2 days in college

• 3 days work experience per week

• Supported by a qualified job coach

Weekly Timetable

• Wednesday, Thursday: College

• Monday, Tuesday, Friday: Work placement

Year 3 of the Internship Programme

(or a 1-Year Supported Internship)
Learners will study:

• Functional Skills: Maths

• Functional Skills: English

• Vocational Studies

• Work Skills

• PSHE / RSE

• Travel Training

• 2–3 day work placement

Work Placements

Work placements form a key part of all internship programmes and are tailored to each learner’s personal targets and qualifications.

Learners will:

• Take part in vocational profiling to identify suitable career pathways

• Receive job coaching and workplace support

• Access placements with local businesses

• Attend an impartial careers advice and guidance session

• Produce a CV

• Take part in practice job interviews

• Complete independent travel training

Adult Social Care (ASC) Pathways

ASC learners follow pathways based on the Preparation for Adulthood principles. Support focuses on:

• Self-control and self-awareness

• Self-advocacy

• Building resilience

• Personal effectiveness

ASC Pathways

Explore: Community Awareness
A holistic, therapeutic-based curriculum delivered in a nurturing environment. Learners are supported through person-centred sessions focusing on communication and independence, helping them explore the world around them.

Explore: Community Participation
Learners develop skills for independent living and take part in activities aligned with their interests and motivations.

Explore: Community Engagement
Learners participate in community-based projects to build work skills and personal attributes, supporting progression towards voluntary or paid employment.

Specialist facilities

Our skilled team at Willow Green will be with learners every step of the way.

We have experts in education, safeguarding, trained job coaches, travel training coaches, therapies and behaviour practitioners, and meet regularly to discuss write and review all plans to support the individuals with us.

But it is not just about out experts, it’s all about our learners too. We ensure they are involved in every step of the way, including setting and reviewing targets. Our learners’ ambitions are listened to, and we ensure they are brought to life through work placements and study.

We also welcome support of external experts and invite families and carers to ensure their views and opinions can be heard.

We follow the tiered Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) approach to cater to the individual needs of each young adult.

This is reinforced through our own therapeutic ‘areas of support’ pyramid and is an integral part of what we offer, allowing us to provide the right support to those who need it the most.

Intensive

Intensive support out of or in the classroom environment to help manage independence and personal support.

Needing 1:1 or high levels of support in order to access Willow Green

Comprehensive

Additional support above that provided at a universal level.

This can be a classroom setting as a whole group or smaller, more bespoke groups and pairs.

Universal

These are strategies and support that ALL clients and learners at Willow Green receive regardless of their ability, disability or diagnosis.

Community Participation

We currently work closely with the local foodbank in Warrington and will be looking to expand our community presence in and around the Warrington area.

Other information