We are excited to announce the launch of our new course aimed at supporting more autistic young people to access mainstream education and develop their vocational and life skills.

We have partnered with further education college Brighton MET, part of the Chichester College Group, to create the integrated studies course which begins this month.

The integrated studies course is aimed at young people aged 16 to 25 with an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan, who are autistic or who have a learning need that can be met through autism-specific provision.

The course aims to give young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) the opportunity to be part of a mainstream college and learn among their peers, while accessing specialist support.

Learners will be able to experience mainstream subjects offered by Brighton MET, including sport, childcare, art, multi-trade, catering and creative media, whilst also receiving support from our specialist college staff to help them develop their life and employability skills. The aim of the course is to support young people to identify the vocational area they want to study in the following year.

As part of the course, learners will also be taught literacy, numeracy and digital skills and have access to speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

Linda Looney, Executive Head of St. John’s College, said:

We are delighted to launch our new integrated studies course in partnership with Brighton MET, enabling autistic young people to develop a range of skills and access diverse opportunities in a supportive and understanding environment.

Many autistic young people say they experience feelings of isolation, so it is important they can learn and socialise among their peers both with and without special educational needs.

This course will help boost young people’s confidence, better prepare them for adult life and help them to realise their ambitions.