Independent Living Skills
Agored Cymru offers centres the opportunity to develop a flexible curriculum for learners in the Independent Living Skills sector. We recognise that adults with learning difficulties may take longer to acquire some skills but they may also have strengths in other areas.
Units exist at pre-entry and entry level and sit in a wide variety of programmes ranging from skills required for work to more creative studies, which can also be important in the development of transferable skills. A wide range of centres use Agored Cymru provision effectively with learners of all ages in a variety of different settings e.g. schools, further education colleges, community education centres, day care centres, private training providers etc.
Agored Cymru has set up a steering group to work with centres working with adults with learning difficulties which has been used to guide strategic direction. To find out more about ILS provision, or to join the Steering Group, please contact Judith Archer
Vocational accreditation
Agored Cymru offers a range of vocational units which support those learners who would like to develop skills for the work place. These include units which look at the job seeking process in addition to those which develop the skills that may be required in specific vocations such as horticulture, catering or in an office or retail setting. To find these units visit our unit search page and enter one of the following codes into the unit code box and select Entry Level from the Level dropdown menu.
| Subject Area | Code |
|---|---|
| Catering | NA/NB/NG |
| Basic cookery | NF |
| Food hygiene | NG |
| Team work | AF |
| Job search skills | HC6 |
| Retail | BC/BE |
| Office skills | AY |
Literacy and Numeracy
These units are mapped to the adult literacy and numeracy core curriculum and have been written to support progression through the milestones and entry levels. Students are also able to access the NOCN skills for life qualifications at entry level 1, 2 and 3. Many of these units are context free so can be used to accompany any subject that is of interest to the student.
There are also some units which are contextualised, such as the communication and ICT units. To find a complete list of the entry level units, visit the unit group sections on the home page – link. For the pre entry units, use the following guide to help you find a list on our unit search page
| Subject Area | Code |
|---|---|
| Numeracy | HD4PE |
| Communication/literacy | HD2PE or HD3PE |
Performing Arts
Adults with learning difficulties develop confidence, communication skills and self awareness through working in drama, dance and other aspects performing arts. From this positive experience they may also be encouraged to try out other learning activities.
These units enable students to gain accreditation for their learning and through the assessment criteria, give guidance on the skills required to achieve learning outcomes. You can find appropriate units for this subject area by visiting our unit search page, inserting the following codes into the unit code box and select Entry Level from the Level dropdown menu.
| Subject area | Code |
|---|---|
| Dance | LB |
| Theatre and dramatic arts | LC/LE |
Music
Adults with learning difficulties can develop many skills through music. As well as the social benefits of participating in musical group activities, they can develop many transferable skills such as listening; turn taking, counting and body awareness. When making and playing musical instruments they are also developing their fine motor skills. Music studies are also valuable in that they provide learners with an opportunity to excel in an area that does not involve enhanced language skills. You can find appropriate units for this subject area by visiting our unit search page, inserting the following codes into the unit code box and select Entry Level from the Level dropdown menu.
| Subject Area | Code |
|---|---|
| Music | LF |
| Music performance | LH |
Arts and Crafts
As well as the pleasure many adults receive from participating in an arts and crafts classes, this programme area also provides a wonderful opportunity for adults with learning difficulties to learn how to express their own ideas and feelings. Students can improve their fine motor skills and extend their knowledge of the environment by working with a range of materials or investigating different cultures. We have an extensive range of units covering many contexts which will accredit their learning. Each unit includes achievable assessment criteria and many cover the health and safety aspects which are important in any learning situation. You can find appropriate units for this subject area by visiting our unit search page, inserting the following codes into the appropriate box on the unit search page and selecting Entry Level from the Level dropdown menu.
| Subject Area | Code |
|---|---|
| Art studies | JA |
| Practical art | JB |
| Design | JC |
| Crafts | JF |
| Decorative crafts | JG |
| Jewellery making | JH |
| Fashion craft | JK |
| Fabric craft | JL |
| Woodwork | JP |
| Glass and ceramics | JR |
Sport
Adults with learning difficulties can benefit from participation in sporting activities and exercise in many ways. The social and physical benefits are well known but sport and exercise also provide an opportunity to embed literacy and numeracy skills. The context can make the learning more relevant and therefore more easily acquired. Many of the units also incorporate important health and safety aspects including the importance of warming up and down and the correct use of equipment. You can find appropriate units for this subject area by visiting our unit search page, inserting the following codes into the appropriate box on the unit search page and selecting Entry Level from the Level dropdown menu.
| Subject area | Code |
|---|---|
| Sports studies | MA |
| Ball games | MG |
| Camping | MH |
| Leisure | NL |
Information Technology
Information technology can be a particularly valuable to adults with learning difficulties. Many may find the physical and mental process of writing quite tiring and appreciate the benefits of presenting their work electronically. Others find that multi sensory IT provides the motivation to access learning resources. In particular, the immediate response obtained by using programmes for teaching subjects such as numeracy can maintain the learners’ attention for longer periods of time. You can find appropriate units for this subject area by visiting our unit search page, inserting the following codes into the appropriate box on the unit search page and selecting Entry Level from the Level dropdown menu.
| Subject area | Code |
|---|---|
| Word processing | CQ |
| Computer hardware | CJ |
| Computer use | CN |
| Database/spreadsheets | CP |
| Internet and email | CR |
Environment
Many units have been created to support adults with learning difficulties learn about the environment. This will be particularly useful for providers wishing to incorporate Education for Sustainable Development and Global citizenship (ESDGC) content into their delivery. Units covering subjects such as recycling and conservation are available and can be found by visiting our unit search page, inserting the following codes into the appropriate box on the unit search page and selecting Entry Level from the Level dropdown menu.
| Subject Area | Code |
|---|---|
| Country leisure | NM |
| Environmental issues | QA |
| Recycling | QE |
These topics just give a taste of the subjects that are available. Other units may be found by inserting key words into the appropriate box on the unit search page If you feel that there is a key area that is not being provided for at the moment then please contact Judith Archer or a member of your local business development team.
Useful websites
Pre- entry core curriculum
http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/sflcurriculum
Access this website to visit the updated pre –entry core curriculum. It gives a wealth of information on meaningful activities that can be used to teach skills at this level; how the skills can be progressed through to entry level and gives links to other materials and research. Also look out for examples of how literacy and numeracy units can be embedded into other skills areas such as art and craft.
Basic Skills for adults with learning difficulties or disabilities
http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=basicskills
The pack has been written for people working in literacy, numeracy and ESOL who want to develop their knowledge and skills of teaching adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Ngfl Cymru
http://www.ngflcymru.org.uk/
Excellent source of interactive resources at all levels
Talent
http://www.talent.ac.uk
A support site for teachers of ESOL, numeracy and literacy, providing resources and links to other useful sites
Skillsworkshop
http://www.skillsworkshop.org/index.htm
Skills for life resources all mapped to the Literacy, numeracy and ESOL core curriculum
Diagnostic materials
http://rwp.excellencegateway.org.uk/Diagnostic%20Assessment/Literacy/
Diagnostic tools for use in assessing the specific literacy skills needs of a learner once initial assessment has given an approximate level. The materials start at milestone 4
http://rwp.excellencegateway.org.uk/Diagnostic%20Assessment/Numeracy/
Diagnostic tools for use in assessing the specific numeracy skills needs of a learner once initial assessment has given an approximate level. The materials start at milestone 5
http://www.autism.org.uk
This site is useful for those who work with adults within the autistic spectrum
http://www.changepeople.co.uk
http://www.learningdisability.co.uk
For those who support adults and young people with learning difficulties
