Action For Inclusion header, includes Action For Inclusion logo and a group of young people.

A network of professionals and organisations who are working together to develop and improve education for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in the FE sector.

Specialist Mediation

Action for Inclusion Ltd's Specialist Mediation Service available for disabled people and their families.  All our mediators have mediation qualifications and significant experience at managerial level in Further Education and the S139a process.

We have also worked collaboratively with Local Education Authorities. Our services are rigorously monitored to ensure that professional standards are maintained.  Please see the Specialist Mediation Service area of the website for further information and how to request mediation from AfI Ltd

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Collaboration

Collaborative working is at the heart of Action for Inclusion. Projects have been developed by sharing the expertise of two organisations to improve the outcomes for learners.

The partnership between the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and East Surrey College (ESC) has increased participation rates of blind and partially sighted people at ESC and improved the quality of the learning experience. Staff receive specialist training, are more confident in supporting learners and up to date assistive technology is in place to support learners effectively. The expertise and resources from the 'hub' centre of ESC is providing support to a network of local colleges and training providers. The college has improved its Ofsted Inspection from grade 3 to grade 2 in February 2009.  

Abingdon and Witney College, Oxfordshire works collaboratively to enable learners with complex needs and autism to access the curriculum and achieve outcomes which would not otherwise have been possible. In 2009 the college established a new partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to support up to 20 students on the autistic spectrum, enabling the learners to achieve comparable grades to their peer group, or above. The college set up provision with the voluntary organisation MacIntyre Charity, to meet the needs of 14 learners with complex needs. The learners have accessed a range of enrichment activities at the main college in order to extend their learning and socialisation skills. This activity has built on provision already graded as outstanding and has encouraged the integration of all learners. Abingdon and Witney College again achieved a Grade 1 in 2011.

Milton Keynes College developed a project to support learners with learning difficulties in transition to independent living and linked this to employment skills. This has meant working with a wide range of partners, including Milton Keynes Council; Exploring Choice & Creating Opportunities who work with school leavers; Equality Works, a supported employment agency; MacIntyre Charity, who provide residential and work opportunities and Astlethorpe Project, a ‘half way’ house to support people into independent living. This joined up approach has led to successful outcomes for the learners.