Learner Support Policy
1. Purpose
1.1 In line with our organisational values, Multiverse is committed to delivering inclusive and accessible learning for all learners. This policy outlines our commitment to disabled learners and ensuring they are not disadvantaged in their learning journey.
1.2 We recognise that learners may face barriers due to physical impairments, mental health conditions, sensory impairments, specific learning difficulties, neurodevelopmental conditions, long-term health conditions and other impairments.
1.3 This policy affirms the rights of all learners to disclose such conditions and outlines the process for providing the necessary support and adjustments. This policy is designed to provide guidance and outline our commitments towards implementing reasonable adjustments for disabled learners.
2. Definitions
2.1 Disability: A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities (Equality Act 2010).
2.2 ALN: Additional Learning Needs (formerly SEND). At Multiverse, we use the term ALN when referencing a disability that affects the learner within their learning environment at Multiverse.
2.3 ALN team: The team at Multiverse that is dedicated to supporting ALN learners to access support and adjustments during their programme, including adjustments to the end-point-assessment.
2.4 Pastoral Support: Support offered to learners as a result of an identified need that does not fall under the definition of an additional learning need.
2.5 ILP: Individual Learning Plan. This is an internal document that outlines a learners ALN and the necessary support and adjustments that the learner needs both during their programme and (where applicable) during their End-Point-Assessment.
3. Scope
3.1 The scope provides an overview of what is (and is not) included in the remit of the policy.
3.1.1 Included in the Scope:
3.1.1.1 Learners: This policy applies to all learners enrolled in Multiverse programs, regardless of the level or type of learning they are undertaking. The scope includes those with formally recognised impairments, mental health issues, specific learning difficulties, and other conditions impacting their learning experience.
3.1.1.2 Staff: All staff members involved in the delivery of training, mentorship, and support services are responsible for adhering to this policy. This includes coaches and administrative personnel who interact with learners and are responsible for implementing reasonable adjustments in accordance with individual learning needs.
3.1.1.3 Collaborative Stakeholders: The policy extends to all collaborative partners, including external organisations and specialists engaged in providing additional support services for ALN learners.
3.1.1.4 Assessment and Review: The policy encompasses all processes related to the assessment, planning, and review of learner support as documented in individual learning plans (ILPs) for ALN learners.
3.1.2 Not Included in the Scope:
3.1.2.1 Workplace Accommodations: The policy specifically focuses on learning-related needs and adjustments within the educational context. It does not encompass workplace accommodations or arrangements that may be provided by employers outside the educational framework of Multiverse.
3.1.2.2 Pastoral Support not linked to ALN: While Multiverse offers pastoral support to all learners, this policy does not extend to general pastoral provisions for learners without identifying additional learning needs.
4. Commitment to Inclusivity
4.1 Multiverse is proactive in ensuring that the provisions outlined in this policy are communicated effectively to all relevant stakeholders. The aim is to create an inclusive learning environment that allows all learners, regardless of their individual needs, to thrive and succeed in their educational journey. All staff are expected to engage with this policy and contribute positively to the support mechanisms employed to aid learners in overcoming barriers to their education.
4.2 The policy is intended to be dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of our learners, ensuring that Multiverse remains an accessible and supportive educational institution. Regular training will be provided for staff to address the principles of this policy and to remain updated on the best practices for supporting ALN learners.
4.3 At Multiverse, our company values underpin every aspect of our operations, including the Learner Support Policy. These values are essential in guiding our commitment to providing inclusive and accessible learning for all learners.
4.3.1 Equality of Opportunity: We believe that every individual, regardless of their background or challenges, deserves equal access to learning opportunities. This policy reflects our commitment to removing barriers that might disadvantage learners with additional needs, ensuring they can achieve their potential.
4.3.2 Treating Others as We Want to be Treated: We strive to create a supportive environment by treating all learners with respect and empathy. This encompasses understanding their unique needs and providing tailored support in a manner that we would wish for ourselves.
4.3.4 Owner Mentality: Every staff member at Multiverse is encouraged to take ownership of their role within the learner support ecosystem. This means actively identifying ways to assist ALN learners and fostering a culture of accountability and responsibility for their learning experiences.
4.3.4 Development at Our Core: As a learning organisation, we prioritise personal and professional development for both our learners and staff. This policy is a testament to our dedication to continuous improvement in our approaches to learner support and adapting to the evolving needs of our learners.
4.3.5 Decisions Based on Facts and Logic: Our approach to supporting ALN learners is data-driven. By assessing individual needs objectively and implementing evidence-based adjustments, we ensure that each learner receives the appropriate support tailored to their specific situation.
4.3.6 Not Taking Ourselves Too Seriously: While we maintain a professional and focused approach to learner support, we also foster an environment where learners feel comfortable to express themselves. This policy reflects our understanding that effective learning occurs in a supportive atmosphere that balances seriousness with a light-hearted approach to challenges.
5. Policy Statement
5.1 Multiverse ensures this policy aligns with our organisational values including our extensive commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are dedicated to providing non-discriminatory, impartial, and confidential support to encourage the progression, achievement, and development of all learners.
5.2 Multiverse aligns with the ‘social model’ of disability, which asserts that:
5.2.1 Society is structured to create multiple barriers for disabled individuals.
5.2.2 These societal barriers, rather than the disabilities themselves, are disabling factors.
5.2.3 Eliminating barriers fosters access, participation, and inclusion of disabled individuals in all societal aspects, benefitting everyone.
5.3 Multiverse is committed to the following duties to disabled individuals:
5.3.1 Take proactive and affirmative steps to prevent disadvantages.
5.3.2 Anticipate and respond to the needs of disabled people.
5.3.3 Make reasonable adjustments related to:
5.3.3.1 Provisions, criteria, or practices (e.g., teaching methods, assessment strategies, policies).
5.3.3.2 Physical features (e.g., access to classrooms, laboratories, and libraries).
5.3.3.3 Auxiliary aids and services (e.g., alternative formats, specialised equipment, support workers like British Sign Language interpreters)
6. Implementation of reasonable adjustments at Multiverse
6.1 At Multiverse, the assessment of a learner's ALN begins during the application phase. All applicants are encouraged to disclose any disabilities or additional learning needs, as this is vital for initiating the necessary support arrangements. This initial assessment may include:
6.1.1 Additional questions to collect more detailed information regarding the learners specific needs.
6.1.2 A neurodiversity screening where a further assessment into a suspected neurodivergent condition is needed in order to determine appropriate support.
6.1.3 A meeting with the learner to enable one-on-one discussions with Multiverse team members about the learners requirements and available support.
6.2 Upon the disclosure of an ALN, a thorough learning needs assessment will be undertaken. This assessment may involve insights from previous educational records (such as Educational Health and Care Plans), medical or psychological reports or other pertinent documentation. Based on the assessment, an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) will be developed in collaboration with the learner and relevant staff members, detailing the required support, nature of reasonable adjustments, and a schedule for regular reviews to ensure efficacy.
6.3 The ILP will be shared with the learner and their coach, who will be responsible for implementing adjustments related to the programme delivery. The ILP is never shared with the learner's employer except in cases where the learner provides explicit written consent for Multiverse to share their ILP with their employer.
6.4 A disclosure and request for reasonable adjustments can also be made at any point during the programme - this can be made via the learner’s coach or the learner can directly contact the ALN team by email: aln@multiverse.io
6.5 Reasonable adjustments at Multiverse focus solely on the learning experience, including the end-point assessment and functional skills exams and do not extend to work-related accommodations or assistance provided by other entities.
6.6 Adjustments will be documented in an individual learning plan (ILP) created by the additional learning needs (ALN) team at the program's commencement for learners who disclose an ALN during the application stage and will be reviewed regularly to evaluate the effectiveness of the adjustments and to make any necessary changes to the plan.
6.7 If a learner discloses an ALN whilst on-programme, the ALN team will contact the learner to offer an ILP at the point of disclosure.
6.8 Multiverse will address the specific needs of each learner by implementing appropriate reasonable adjustments, which may include:
6.8.1 Tailored Learning Support: Adapting teaching methods and materials (e.g., subtitled videos, access to materials in advance).
6.8.2 One-on-One Support: Additional sessions with coaches or tutors, to tackle specific challenges related to the learning content.
6.8.3 Access to Specialist Services: Including mental health and learning mentoring, learning technologies, and specialist equipment as required.
6.8.4 Assessment Adjustments: Submission for Exam Access Arrangements (EAA) and special consideration for End-Point-Assessment (EPA) exams or functional skills exams where relevant. These arrangements will comply with guidelines set forth by the awarding organisation.
6.9 Reasonable adjustments that incur a cost as outlined in the individual learning plan will be funded through the provision of learning support funding via the Department for Education (DFE).
6.10 Multiverse recognises that learners may require pastoral support to excel in their apprenticeships and reach their full potential. Additional support encompasses a comprehensive framework, integral to which is mental health, but also extends to physical and social well-being. An optimal state of well-being at Multiverse is characterised by an individual’s ability to fully exercise their cognitive, emotional, physical, and social capacities, thereby enhancing their engagement in the program [Adapted from Kraut, R. (2009)]. Pastoral support may include additional tutoring and coaching, as well as assistance with breaks in learning and re-engagement with the curriculum. This support is available for learners experiencing both short-term challenges and those with ongoing mental health difficulties that need further pastoral care, which may exist in conjunction with reasonable adjustments provided under this policy.
6.11 Multiverse maintains a range of in-house and externally funded resources to assist learners in their return to education or in completing assessments. Additionally, Multiverse keeps a register of partner organisations to which learners may be referred for further support. Where pastoral support is not clearly linked to an ALN need, there is no additional funding available. Multiverse provides pastoral support to its learners out of the general funding available from the apprenticeship registration.
7. Adjustments to functional skills exams and EPA
7.1 Multiverse will support applications for EAA and special considerations for functional skills and EPA based on the evidence stipulated in the learners ILP. While Multiverse will assist in gathering and submitting necessary documentation, the final decision remains with the awarding organisations.
7.2. English and maths flexibilities for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.
7.2.1 For learners with significant learning difficulties who may struggle to achieve Level 2 functional skills in English and/or Maths, Multiverse may apply for SEND flexibility, as allowed by apprenticeship funding rules. This flexibility permits eligible learners to pursue Entry Level 3 in the adjusted subject, provided they meet specified criteria, including:
7.2.2 Scoring below Entry Level 3 in initial assessments for English and/or Maths.
7.2.3 Maintaining an active ILP.
7.2.4 Undergoing formal assessment and review by a Multiverse-appointed professional.
7.2.5 Active participation in learning activities aimed at achieving Entry Level 3 competency in the relevant subjects to progress to the EPA.
7.3 Reasonable adjustments at EPA
7.3.1 Multiverse is responsible for requesting approval for reasonable adjustments or special considerations by directly contacting the relevant awarding organisation in accordance with their requirements.
7.3.2 Adjustments to assessments must be supported by adequate evidence, which is verifiable, valid, and reliable. This evidence will be securely maintained by Multiverse following the assessment for auditing purposes. The decision to accept or reject the submitted evidence as support for the reasonable adjustment or special consideration request rests with the relevant awarding organisation.
7.3.3 The outcome of reasonable adjustment or special consideration requests is at the discretion of the relevant awarding organisation. They aim to inform Multiverse of their decision within 5-10 working days of receipt. They will determine whether to approve, amend, or decline the request based on the submitted documentation and evidence.
7.3.4 While the purpose of reasonable adjustments and special considerations is to assist learners with specific needs, these adjustments do not change the criteria of any assessment. The criteria of the apprenticeship standard must still be applied.
7.3.5 For degree apprenticeship learners, Multiverse is the EPAO. Our process for implementing reasonable adjustments for the EPA for degree apprenticeship courses and acceptable evidence standards can be found in our separate assessment policy for degree learners. Our awarding body, NCHNL, has the final decision on reasonable adjustment requests or approval of extenuating circumstances.
7.3.6 Awarding organisations permit appeals against declined requests for reasonable adjustments or special considerations. The appeal procedures are established internally by each awarding organisation, and the specifics may vary.
7.4 Contact details for EPAO’s:
7.4.1 BCS: epateam@bcs.uk
7.4.2 Accelerate People: compliance@accelerate-people.co.uk
7.4.3 1st for EPA: quality@1stforepa.co.uk
7.4.4 Multiverse Advanced programmes: advancedassessments@multiverse.io
7.5 Any appeal must be supported by objective evidence to demonstrate why the request for reasonable adjustments or special considerations should have received approval.
7.6 Multiverse acknowledges that failing to comply with the guidelines for adjustments to assessments established by relevant awarding organisations can constitute malpractice and may lead to withholding or discounting an apprentice’s results.
7.7 Non-compliance is defined as any of the following:
7.7.1Implementing adjustments or arrangements without prior approval from the awarding organisation.
7.7.2 Exceeding the allowances for adjustments agreed upon with the awarding organisation.
7.7.3 Agreeing to adjustments or arrangements that lack supporting evidence.
7.7.4 Neglecting to maintain records of reasonable adjustments and special considerations for auditing purposes.
7.7.5 Failing to report on adjustments that have been approved or applied internally, where applicable.
7.8 Malpractice concerning the application of reasonable adjustments or special considerations will be addressed in accordance with the Multiverse Malpractice and Maladministration Policy.
Appendices
Appendix A
Kraut, R. (2009). What is Good and Why: the ethics of well-being. London: Harvard University Press.
Version
Policy Owner
Head of Learner Enablement - Kelsey Roberts
Policy Author(s)
Senior Safeguarding & ALN Executive - Hannah Pereira
Effective Date
06/05/2025
Version Number
V1.0
Date of Next Review
06/05/2025
Version Number
V1.0
Effective Date
06/05/2025
Summary of Amendments
Policies Reasonable adjustment policy, Apprentice support merged to create Learner Support Policy V.1
Author
Hannah Pereira