1.1 This policy outlines our commitment to disabled learners and those with Additional Learning Needs and ensuring they are not disadvantaged in their learning journey.
1.2 Multiverse recognises 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 Multiverse’s commitments towards implementing reasonable adjustments for learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
2.1 Additional Learning Needs (ALN): Formerly referred to as SEND. At Multiverse, we use the term ALN when referencing a neurodiverse profile, learning difference, or medical condition that affects the learner within their learning environment.
2.2 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 (EPA) or any other assessments taken during the course of a Multiverse programme.
2.3 Awarding and Assessment Organisation (AO): An official body that designs, develops, and issues educational qualifications. They set the assessment standards, ensure compliance with the national regulator, and issue the final certificates to successful apprentices.
2.4 Disability: A physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities (Equality Act 2010).
2.5 Individual Learning Plan (ILP): This is an internal live document created in collaboration with the learner that outlines a learner’s ALN and the necessary support and adjustments that the learner needs both during their programme and (where applicable) during their End-Point Assessment (or any other assessments that may take place during the course of a Multiverse programme).
2.6 Long-Term Effect: An impairment is considered “long-term” if it has lasted for at least 12 months, is likely to last for at least 12 months, or is likely to last for the rest of the life of the person impacted. This includes fluctuating conditions where flare-ups may occur (e.g., episodic mental health conditions), which are legally covered even during periods of remission if the impairment is likely to recur.
2.7 Technical Learning Support: Practical assistance delivered either internally via booking extra 1:1 sessions with a coach/instructor to clarify technical concepts, or externally via our partners through specialised assistive technology mentoring.
2.8 Temporary Support: This is support put in place at Multiverse’s discretion for short-term or temporary conditions that do not meet the legal definition of a disability (e.g., post-operative recovery). This temporary support will be documented and reviewed. The timing of reviews will vary according to the length of time for which the support is expected to be required.
3.1 The scope provides an overview of what is (and is not) included in the remit of this policy.
3.2 Multiverse's obligations to learners with ALN arise from more than one source, depending on programme type. As an OfS-registered provider with degree awarding powers, Multiverse is subject to Condition B2, which requires appropriate resources, services, and support to be in place throughout the learner lifecycle for registered learners; this obligation applies specifically to degree apprenticeship learners. For learners on non-degree apprenticeship programmes, Multiverse's obligations arise from the Equality Act 2010, the DfE/ESFA apprenticeship funding rules, and Ofsted's Education Inspection Framework, under which Multiverse is inspected as an Independent Training Provider (ITP). This policy applies the same standard of support to all learners with ALN regardless of programme type, and outlines Multiverse's approach to meeting these obligations.
3.3 Included in the Scope:
3.3.1 Learners: This policy applies to all learners enrolled in Multiverse programmes who may have an ALN. The scope includes those with formally recognised impairments, mental health issues, specific learning difficulties, and other conditions impacting their learning experience.
3.3.2 Staff: All staff members involved in the delivery of training, mentorship, and support services are responsible for adhering to this policy. This includes coaches, instructors, and administrative personnel who interact with learners and are responsible for implementing reasonable adjustments in accordance with individual learning needs.
3.3.3 Collaborative Stakeholders: The policy extends to all collaborative partners, including external organisations and specialists engaged in providing additional support services for Multiverse learners with ALN.
3.3.4 Assessment and Review: The policy encompasses all processes related to the assessment, planning, and review of learning support as documented in ILPs for learners with ALN.
3.4 Not Included in the Scope:
3.4.1 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, supported, or put in place by employers outside the educational framework of Multiverse. Multiverse may be able to provide guidance to learners on how to request Access to Work funding or workplace adjustments from their employer.
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 registered higher education provider and Independent Training Provider (ITP). Coaches and instructors receive specialised training during their onboarding. Additionally, regular training is provided for staff to address the principles of this policy and to remain updated on the best practices for supporting learners with ALN.
4.3 Multiverse regularly benchmarks the achievement, progression, and retention of learners with ALN, and those with Individual Learning Plans, against those without, based on the declarations made by learners during their admissions process. This data is used to inform policy review, coach and instructor CPD, and the improvement of support provision.
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, where learners engage with a physical learning environment (e.g. in-person hackathons or graduation ceremonies).
5.3.3.3 Auxiliary aids and services (e.g., alternative formats, specialised equipment, support workers like British Sign Language interpreters).
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 ALN, 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 learner’s specific needs.
6.1.2 A neurodiversity non-clinical screening where 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 learner’s 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 ILP will be developed in collaboration with the learner and relevant staff members, detailing the required support, nature of reasonable adjustments, the impact of not having the adjustments in place, and a schedule for regular reviews to ensure efficacy.
6.3 The ILP will be held for the length of a learner’s programme and shared with the learner, their coach, and their instructor, 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.
6.3.1 Exception to confidentiality: Notwithstanding clause 6.3, Multiverse reserves the right to share specific information from an ILP with relevant third parties (including employers or emergency services) without explicit consent where Multiverse has a reasonable belief, based on objective grounds, that there is a risk of serious harm to the learner or others. Such disclosures will be limited to the information reasonably necessary to address the risk, and will be made strictly in accordance with the Multiverse Safeguarding Policy and applicable Data Protection Legislation.
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 assessments (such as on-programme assessments, End-Point Assessments, and functional skills exams), and do not extend to work-related accommodations. Multiverse, however, may support the learner by providing information on “Access to Work” grants to facilitate employer-led adjustments.
6.6 Adjustments will be documented in an ILP created by the ALN team at the programme's commencement for learners who disclose an ALN during the application stage. ILPs will be reviewed at least every three months, or sooner where a change in the learner's circumstances or in the effectiveness of an adjustment warrants earlier review, 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 All ILPs will be created in accordance with the Multiverse Individual Learning Plan Process.
6.9 Multiverse will address the specific needs of each learner by implementing appropriate reasonable adjustments, which may include:
6.9.1 Tailored Learning Support: Adapting teaching methods and materials (e.g., subtitled videos, access to materials in advance).
6.9.2 One-on-One Support: Additional sessions with coaches or instructors, to tackle specific challenges related to the learning content.
6.9.3 Access to Specialist Services: Including mental health and learning mentoring, British Sign Language interpreters, learning technologies, and specialist equipment as required.
6.9.4 Assessment Adjustments: Submission for Exam Access Arrangements (EAA) and special consideration for End-Point-Assessment (EPA), assessments, exams, or functional skills exams where relevant. These arrangements will comply with guidelines set forth by Awarding and Assessment Organisations (AOs).
6.10 Multiverse will implement the reasonable adjustments outlined in an ILP regardless of whether external funding is secured; this obligation is not conditional on DfE approval. Where a reasonable adjustment incurs a cost, Multiverse will seek to recover that cost through DfE learning support funding where the adjustment qualifies, but availability or timing of that funding does not affect the learner's entitlement to the adjustment.
6.11 Multiverse recognises that learners may require additional support to excel in their apprenticeship. Multiverse embeds Safeguarding and ALN practices into its delivery to ensure learners are fully supported both emotionally and academically. To facilitate this, and in line with its policies, Multiverse and its external partners provide coaching and wellbeing support, alongside assistance with breaks in learning and re-engagement. This ensures those facing short-term or ongoing challenges receive the specialised care and reasonable adjustments necessary to succeed in a safe, inclusive environment.
6.12 Multiverse maintains a range of in-house and external 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.
6.13 If a learner or employer disagrees with any decision made by Multiverse with respect to their ALN, they may request that it is reviewed by the ALN Manager by contacting aln@multiverse.io. The ALN Manager will aim to provide the outcome of this review within 10 working days of receipt of the request. Where this is not achievable, Multiverse will inform the requester of the reason for the delay and a revised timeframe.
6.14 If a learner or employer disagrees with the outcome of a review by the ALN manager, as described in 6.13, they may submit a complaint via the Multiverse Complaints Policy.
7.1 Where appropriate, Multiverse will support applications for reasonable adjustments and special considerations for Functional Skills assessments, EPA, and other assessments. While Multiverse will assist in gathering and submitting necessary documentation, the final decision remains with the AOs, with the exception of degree programmes, where Multiverse acts as the AO and makes the final decision itself.
7.2 Reasonable adjustments at EPA (and assessments)
7.2.1 Multiverse is responsible for requesting approval for reasonable adjustments or special considerations by directly contacting the relevant AO in accordance with their requirements.
7.2.2 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 AO, which will determine whether to approve, amend, or decline the request based on the submitted documentation and evidence.
7.2.3 AOs aim to inform Multiverse of their decision within 5-10 working days of receipt of a learner’s evidence.
7.2.4 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.
7.2.5 For degree apprenticeship learners, Multiverse is the AO. Our process for implementing reasonable adjustments for assessments for degree apprenticeship courses and acceptable evidence standards can be found in the Multiverse Advanced Programmes Assessment Policy.
7.2.6 AOs permit appeals against declined requests for reasonable adjustments or special considerations. The appeal procedures are established internally by each AO, and the specifics may vary.
7.2.7 For appeals against declined requests for reasonable adjustments or special considerations, please refer to Section 15 of the Multiverse Assessment Policy for Advanced Programmes.
7.3 Contact details for AOs:
7.3.1 Accelerate People: compliance@accelerate-people.co.uk
7.3.2 1st for Awarding: quality@1stforepa.co.uk
7.3.3 Multiverse Advanced programmes: advancedassessments@multiverse.io
7.4 Any appeal must be supported by objective evidence to demonstrate why the request for reasonable adjustments or special considerations should have received approval.
7.5 If Multiverse fails to comply with an AO's requirements for assessment adjustments—for example, by applying an adjustment without the AO's prior approval, or exceeding an agreed allowance (see 7.6)—the AO may treat this as malpractice by Multiverse. Where this occurs, the AO may withhold or discount the affected apprentice's result, even though the apprentice is not at fault. Multiverse treats this risk as a compliance priority and requires all staff involved in requesting or implementing assessment adjustments to follow AO requirements exactly.
7.6 Multiverse must adhere to the relevant AO requirements when implementing assessment adjustments. Non-compliance is defined as any of the following:
7.6.1 Implementing adjustments or arrangements without prior approval from the AO.
7.6.2 Exceeding the allowances for adjustments agreed upon with the AO.
7.6.3 Agreeing to adjustments or arrangements that lack supporting evidence.
7.6.4 Neglecting to maintain records of reasonable adjustments and special considerations for auditing purposes.
7.6.5 Failing to report on adjustments that have been approved or applied internally, where applicable.
7.7 Functional Skills
7.7.1 In accordance with NCFE (formerly referred to as Northern Council for Further Education) and Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) regulations, Multiverse is committed to providing valid access arrangements and reasonable adjustments for Functional Skills assessments to ensure learners with ALN are not disadvantaged.
7.7.2 For learners with significant learning difficulties who may struggle to achieve Level 2 functional skills in English and/or Maths, Multiverse may apply for ALN (SEND) flexibility, as permitted by apprenticeship funding rules. This flexibility permits eligible learners to pursue Entry Level 3 in the adjusted subject, provided they meet specified criteria, including:
7.7.2.1 Working at or below Entry Level 3 in initial assessments for English and/or Maths.
7.7.2.2 Maintaining an active ILP.
7.7.2.3 Undergoing formal assessment and review by a Multiverse-appointed professional. Self-declaration of an ALN is insufficient.
7.7.3 Gateway Requirements for Functional Skills progressing to Gateway are subject to the English and Maths requirements defined by current funding rules. For learners with ALN, Multiverse ensures these standards are accessible through reasonable adjustments, providing a supported and equitable pathway to completing their assessments.
Multiverse Advanced Programmes Assessment Policy
Multiverse Safeguarding Policy
NCFE Functional Skills Regulations
JCQ Instructions for Conducting Functional Skills Assessments
Policy Owner
Director, Learner Success - Julia Bindley
Policy Author(s)
ALN & Inclusion Manager - Jade Stewart
Effective Date
14/07/2026
Version Number
V2.0
Date of Next Review
30/06/2027
Summary of Amendments
Removed outdated references to Multiverse’s values. Expanded and clarified list of definitions. Amended scope to reference Multiverse's obligations under OfS Condition B2 and explicitly refer to Instructors as well as Coaches, and to be clear that this policy is for learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN). Updated physical features example to reflect Multiverse’s primarily digital delivery model. Added process for learners or employers to request review of an ALN decision by the ALN Manager, and escalation route to the Multiverse Complaints Policy. Updated references to ‘EPAOs’ to ‘AOs’ and updated names of AOs to reflect our current providers. Added section 7.7.3 on Gateway Requirements for Functional Skills. Added Associated Documents section.
Author
Jade Stewart, ALN Manager