Course summary

Our FdA Professional Practice in Special Educational Needs and Disability is designed for people already working in this field, who want to develop their careers. If you are working or regularly volunteering in a school, nursery, residential care or another professional setting, supporting children, young people or adults with special educational needs and disabilities, this programme will enable you to study for a Foundation Degree whilst continuing the work role you love. This course is typically taught, one afternoon/evening session per week at Grantham College, the course combines college-based learning with your ongoing professional practice and some independent study. You will increase your knowledge and understanding, and develop academic skills to enhance you career and/or move on to higher study. This course will be of interest to experienced practitioners working in educational settings with children, young people and/or adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The course offers an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge, understanding and skills and widen practitioners’ career opportunities in the education sector. These might include for example, teaching assistant, higher level or specialist learning support roles, or leadership responsibilities in special education settings, residential/respite care, or working with individuals and/or families in the public, voluntary or independent sector. Graduates of this programme may progress to an undergraduate degree (such as a BA (Hons) SEND and Inclusion) by further study and post graduate opportunities such as initial teacher training. This foundation degree is designed to increase and develop practitioners’ personal, academic and professional skills. The content includes knowledge and understanding of the complex relationships that learners experience within education settings, and practitioner roles. Specialist knowledge and skills include meeting individual needs, inter-agency working, inclusion and supporting learning, teaching and assessment. Please note that this course is taught at Grantham College.