Leeds: Post-school learning for those with additional needs

The path through education can be fraught – even more so when you are a young person with complex learning and communication needs.
Looking for further education and have special educational needs?Looking for further education and have special educational needs?
Looking for further education and have special educational needs?

Hopefully you find a school that can meet your needs, where you’re happy and accepted for who you are. But what happens when school finishes? Where do you go then?

In 2014, guidance was changed so that young people with special educational needs would be granted an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that would stay with them until they were 25. This would prove to be a passport to further education, meaning young people would be able to continue to develop, flourish and grow as well as continue to hone key life and communication skills.

Future Horizons Leeds aims to provide just that, creating meaningful learning experiences and bespoke packages of support so that young adults with the most complex learning needs can continue to make progress in whatever way is meaningful for them.

Creating meaningful learning experiences and bespoke packages of support for young adultsCreating meaningful learning experiences and bespoke packages of support for young adults
Creating meaningful learning experiences and bespoke packages of support for young adults

Specialist college status

That was our vision when we started out seven years ago from a room at a local Leeds special school, setting up as a charity and adult social care provision. It remains our vision to this day as we continue to grow and meet an ever-increasing demand for placements, both within the city and now further afield. In May 2021, we were granted Specialist College status by the Department of Education and are now able to offer both education and adult social care packages to a wide variety of learners.

Future Horizons now runs across two sites in the city, one at Kirkstall and one at Elland Road. From these two hubs we continue to build links with our local communities. This year we have developed fantastic work experience opportunities with Hope Pastures Donkey Sanctuary and outdoor education opportunities with West Leeds Activity Centre. We aim to continue to drive these community links and want to work with local employers to provide quality opportunities for young people.

We ensure that therapies are integrated into everything as part of college life and that as a Future Horizons student you have an opportunity to practice your skills for life on a regular basis.

Future Horizons is also recruiting for enthusiastic, passionate Lifelong Learning Assistants to join the teamFuture Horizons is also recruiting for enthusiastic, passionate Lifelong Learning Assistants to join the team
Future Horizons is also recruiting for enthusiastic, passionate Lifelong Learning Assistants to join the team

But most importantly, we ensure that you have access to the fun and meaningful activities that anyone else does - trips to the pub, swimming and gym access, museum and cinema trips, bowling, the list goes on. We ensure that you are supported to become the person you want to be. After all, isn’t that what we all want?

To find out more visit the website or get in touch.

*Future Horizons is recruiting for enthusiastic, passionate Lifelong Learning Assistants to join our team. Call 0113 2747894 or email [email protected] for details.