Homefield College

Homefield supports young people aged 16 - 25 with a wide range of special educational needs and disabilities. The majority of our students are autistic. 

We focus on three main learning pathways:

• Personal Development
• Skills for Life & Work
• Mission Employability

As part of these pathways, we offer social and life skills, vocational training, employability qualifications and therapies, with English, maths and communication embedded into every lesson. 

Our individualised education pathways focus on the outcomes of improving personal care skills, learning how to live independently and finding a place in the world of work

Our Personal Development Pathway is for students who may be reliant on support, are unable to self-manage, face communication difficulties and have narrow interests and experiences. We help them to develop social skills and the ability to look after themselves. We embed therapeutic interventions and enrichment activities into the learning and offer transferable work skills through vocational sessions and structured work place visits when appropriate.

Our Skills for Life & Work Pathway is for students who want to be more independent in their lives but are lacking in practical, living and work skills. They will learn how to look after themselves with minimal support, identify transferable work skills and experience vocational sessions to help them in identifying future careers. They also have access to enriching sessions to develop their ability to be resilient in the world.

Our Mission Employability Pathway is for students who have work aspirations and are committed to achieving future goals, are able to manage anxieties through coping skills and have worked towards qualifications in Functional Skills. Mission Employability students can gain accredited vocational qualifications in their designed areas, attend career workshops and work experience as well as be encouraged to make their own decisions including risk-taking. They attend guidance interviews with a careers practitioner, and have lessons on CV writing, interview techniques and job searching.

We also offer:

• Supported Internships - for those who feel ready to enter the world of work but would benefit from wrap-around support
• Traineeships - for those who feel ready to enter the world of work requiring minimal support
• Bespoke Provision - for those who are not yet ready to access our main learning pathways

Our Supported Internship Pathway is a structured study programme based primarily at an employer. Students work with a Job Coach at the employment site to gain training, support and work skills needed to get a job. The Job Coach helps the student settle in, liaise with the employer and learn the job. Once confident, the Job Coach provides less hands-on support so that the student works independently. Students are expected to comply with real working conditions including time-keeping and dress codes whilst interning at the company. They have tailored learning goals set which include continual development of their English, maths and communication skills. The end goal of a Supported Internship is for the student to enter employment, whether at the company if a suitable position is available or elsewhere using the skills learnt on the job.

Our Traineeship Pathway lasts 6 weeks to 1 year. It aims to secure progression to a positive outcome as quickly as possible, with an external work placement that gets students ready for work or an apprenticeship. Students receive help with applications, interviews, employability skills, and finding a job or apprenticeship. They also develop digital and functional English & maths skills. Work placements last at least 70 hours, and students receive feedback from the employer.

Our Bespoke Pathway offers specialist support packages for those who would benefit from Bespoke & Outreach provision; this may be due to their social anxieties, complex health needs, or poor previous experiences with education providers. This can include working with students at their home or in a community location, reduced days, additional staffing and tailored learning routes. We help students develop at a pace that suits them. Where suitable, students can transfer across to a main learning pathway when ready.

We have partnered with organisations to ensure vulnerable young people can access learning that is suitable for their needs and interests:

• Macintyre 'No Limits' - Helping us meet need of those with more complex needs.
• Enstruct @ Homefield - Perfect for young people interested in construction, the environment & conservation.
• T.E.C.K @ Homefield - Tailored for young people keen to enter the automotive and engineering industry

For those aged 16 - 25 who are not interested in further education, or for adults aged 25+ in the local community, we also operate Day Services provision.