Tynwald will be asked to support the creation of an inclusive special needs unit for post-16 students at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education.
 
Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, will this month seek the Court’s backing to spend ?1,773,000 on the construction of the unit, which will ensure students have access to education post-16 at the College, no matter how complex their needs, and that they can learn a broader range of life-enhancing skills.
 
Tynwald earlier approved pre-contract/enabling expenditure of ?150,000. Subject to Tynwald approval, work will start on site at the end of this month and be completed by next August.
 
The two-storey unit, an extension to and part conversion of the Victor Kneale Wing, would accommodate students with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and disabilities, severe learning difficulties (SLD), complex learning difficulties (CLD) and multiple learning difficulties (MLD).
 
The College, in Homefield Road, Douglas, can currently only cater for around a dozen students with moderate learning difficulties/disabilities.
 
‘The College does not have the facilities or the resourcing required to provide post-16 education for those with more severe learning difficulties and disabilities,’ Mr Crookall said. ‘There are no dedicated facilities for life skills programmes or any access to facilities for cognitively able students with significant physical disabilities.’
 
The new unit – which would accommodate 30 students – would promote inclusion, providing a real choice for students and their parents. At its heart is a large and flexible social enterprise area with a working cafe for work experience, training and socialising. There would be further teaching spaces, practical activity and physiotherapy/multi-sensory areas together with specialist bathroom/toilet facilities on each floor. The building would lead to a sensory garden and there would be covered access to transport drop-off and collection points.
 
‘From our pre-school centre, through to primary and then secondary education, special needs students with severe difficulties have access to inclusive provision,’ the Minister said. ‘To complete this process we need to invest in this post-16 resource.
 
‘The unit will provide a hub for agencies and services to work with students, sharing expertise and supporting them in making the transition to adult life. These are members of our community who need the greatest support throughout their lives.’