Next Steps: From Assessment to Support
A guide to accessing support following a diagnosis
You’ve completed your diagnostic assessment, what now?
If you're an apprentice or you're about to start an apprenticeship, and have received a diagnosis of a Specific Learning Difference or neurodiversity such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD or autism, you may be entitled to additional support.
Understanding Learning Support Funding (LSF)
Learning support funding is available for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. It is paid directly to your training provider and can be used to fund additional support such as:
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One-to-one neurodiversity coaching or mental health mentoring
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Assistive Technology such as reading or dictation software and a computer to run this on if required
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Training on any technology that is recommended
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Support that your training provider puts in place that incurs an extra cost, e.g. arranging additional time for assessment activities.
The fund is designed to remove barriers to learning and ensure you can fully participate in your apprenticeship. It is there to make sure that cost or circumstance do not prevent you from accessing the support you need. You can read more about learning support funding here.
How it works...
1
Speak to your training provider
Talk to your apprenticeship tutor or mentor about any additional support you may require.
Note: you can still do this if you do not have an official diagnosis but have received additional support at school/college or believe that you need extra help.
2
Discuss your specific requirements
Your training provider may be able to put support in place straightaway. This support is usually known as 'reasonable adjustments'.
If your providers feels that you need more specialist support, they may refer you for a needs assessment. This is a conversation with a specialist assessor to determine your specific support needs.
3
Access your support
Following your needs assessment, the assessor will produce a report with recommendations. This could be for things like:
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One-to one coaching
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Assistive technology software and hardware
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Training on your technology
Your training provider will help you to access these recommendations.
Got a question?
If you're unsure of what to do next, we are on hand to talk you through the process and help you access the support you need for your apprenticeship.