What is the Learning Hub?

The Learning Hub is the central support area for students who have additional educational needs (AENs). Students may have educational and medical needs that impact upon their academic studies. Students who have been previously formally assessed (through Educational Psychologists, Consultants, Occupational Therapists, Neurologists or Specialist Registrars etc.) are automatically registered with Educational Support.

The aims of Educational Support for students are:

• Empowering students to self-manage their study skills

• Educational Support for students registered as having an educational need (learning need and/or medical condition)

• Providing reasonable accommodations for registered students with additional needs

What is a Needs Assessment?

A needs assessment is carried out by the Educational Support Officer, whereby they discuss your individual needs and how these needs may impact upon your education and experience in further education. Documentation such as consultants letters or educational psychologist reports are important documents in which the Educational Support Officer refers to and bases decisions made about what type of supports can/should be provided to you throughout your time in DCFE.

This needs assessment is carried out with you, and will incorporate an assessment of your needs in further education and will also recommend Reasonable Accommodations if and when you have college exams. It's important to ask the Educational Support Officer what type of exam accommodations you may be entitled to.

In the needs assessment, you and the Educational Support Officer will discuss what supports you wish to avail of during your pre-booked appointments and will also bear in mind particular demands of the course that you are doing.

The needs assessment will also involve recommendations for Assistive Technology by the Educational Support Coordinator (Catherine Joyce) who consults with the Educational Support Officer and refers to relevant medical or educational psychologist documentation provided at the time of the needs assessment.

After the needs assessment, a funding application will be sent to SOLAS, where funding may be granted for the Educational Support service you are availing of. This funding is vital to the running of Educational Support services in the college, for the purchasing of specialist assistive technology and transportation services for students with significant needs. SOLAS decide if the funding is successful.

Making An Appointment

Every student registered with the Educational Support will be encouraged to make appointments with any one of our Educational Support Officers.

Our Educational Support Officers can provide training in research skills, time management and study skills.

In so far as is possible, Educational Support Officers collaborate with Academic staff to ensure that the curriculum is delivered in a way that is accessible to all students, which might involve adapting teaching strategies and module/course delivery to suit students with additional needs.

Where applicable, your Educational Support Officer will arrange suitable accommodations for you in terms of examinations and the completion of assignments.

Important:

It is important to note that in order to avail of any of these services, it is vital that you provide specialist documentation, giving details of your disability. Without this, it is not possible to provide the necessary support for you. Please make contact with Catherine Joyce CJoyce.dbc@lmetb.ie to see if your documentation is valid.