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SEND Independence Hubs

Young adults with SEND

Hampshire County Council is working with local colleges to help young people with SEND have the best possible start after leaving school. These programmes are for 16‑year‑olds who are starting college for the first time and who have severe learning difficulties (SLD) or complex needs.

SEND Independence Hubs are special places in colleges where young people can:

  • Learn new skills
  • Get support from trained staff
  • Build confidence
  • Work towards being more independent

The aim is to help them learn the skills they need to live more independently, join in with their community, and prepare for future work or training.

Young people will follow a curriculum made just for them, based on the four areas of Preparing for Adulthood:

  1. Employment – learning about work and building skills
  2. Independent Living – learning to look after themselves and make choices
  3. Community – taking part in activities and meeting people
  4. Health – understanding how to stay healthy and well

Each Independence Hub is:

  • Part of a mainstream college
  • A safe, calm and welcoming space
  • Designed to meet individual needs
  • A place with its own identity, staff and facilities

Each Independence Hub is:

  • Part of a mainstream college
  • A safe, calm and welcoming space
  • Designed to meet individual needs
  • A place with its own identity, staff and facilities

Facilities vary by college but often include:

  • Safe, secure entry systems
  • Drop‑off/pick‑up areas
  • Accessible hygiene room with hoist & changing bed
  • Medical room
  • Therapy spaces
  • Sensory room and quiet room
  • Sensory garden
  • Independent living suite (bedroom, lounge, kitchen)
  • Accessible classrooms
  • Social spaces for lunch and breaks
  • Wheelchair charging

Facilities vary by college but often include:

  • Safe, secure entry systems
  • Drop‑off/pick‑up areas
  • Accessible hygiene room with hoist & changing bed
  • Medical room
  • Therapy spaces
  • Sensory room and quiet room
  • Sensory garden
  • Independent living suite (bedroom, lounge, kitchen)
  • Accessible classrooms
  • Social spaces for lunch and breaks
  • Wheelchair charging

A hub placement may be suitable if your young person:

  • Is 16+ and leaving secondary school
  • Has SLD or complex needs
  • Has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • Would benefit from a personalised, practical programme focused on independence
  • Would like to remain close to home for their further education

Limited post‑19 places (Year 15) are also available.

Decisions are made together between the family, the SEN team, and the college.

A hub placement may be suitable if your young person:

  • Is 16+ and leaving secondary school
  • Has SLD or complex needs
  • Has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • Would benefit from a personalised, practical programme focused on independence
  • Would like to remain close to home for their further education

Limited post‑19 places (Year 15) are also available.

Decisions are made together between the family, the SEN team, and the college.

The curriculum follows the national Preparing for Adulthood framework:

1. Independent Living

  • Cooking
  • Personal care and hygiene
  • Using everyday household equipment
  • Managing a weekly routine

2. Employment

  • Work‑related learning
  • Enterprise activities
  • Communication and teamwork skills

3. Community Inclusion

  • Friendships and relationships
  • Community access and travel
  • Social communication skills

4. Health

  • Physical wellbeing
  • Therapies and support programs

Students also receive therapies based on their EHCP, including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy.

Most learners attend for up to 3 years, depending on their progress and EHCP outcomes.

The curriculum follows the national Preparing for Adulthood framework:

1. Independent Living

  • Cooking
  • Personal care and hygiene
  • Using everyday household equipment
  • Managing a weekly routine

2. Employment

  • Work‑related learning
  • Enterprise activities
  • Communication and teamwork skills

3. Community Inclusion

  • Friendships and relationships
  • Community access and travel
  • Social communication skills

4. Health

  • Physical wellbeing
  • Therapies and support programs

Students also receive therapies based on their EHCP, including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physiotherapy.

Most learners attend for up to 3 years, depending on their progress and EHCP outcomes.

A week may include:

  • Therapies (Speech and Language, physio, OT)
  • English, maths, and IT
  • Independent living skills (e.g., cookery, home skills)
  • Social communication
  • Enterprise and work skills
  • Sport, fitness, and community activities
  • Creative therapies (art, Lego therapy, music)

A week may include:

  • Therapies (Speech and Language, physio, OT)
  • English, maths, and IT
  • Independent living skills (e.g., cookery, home skills)
  • Social communication
  • Enterprise and work skills
  • Sport, fitness, and community activities
  • Creative therapies (art, Lego therapy, music)

 

  1. Talk to your SEN Caseworker about whether a hub might suit your young person.
  2. Discuss it at the next annual EHCP review.
  3. Contact the colleges directly for questions or to arrange an initial conversation.

 

  1. Talk to your SEN Caseworker about whether a hub might suit your young person.
  2. Discuss it at the next annual EHCP review.
  3. Contact the colleges directly for questions or to arrange an initial conversation.
Previous Page Where can my young person go to college? Next Page Supported Internship Programme

In this section

  1. Moving on after school - The Post 16 Phase Transfer
  2. Where can my young person go to college?
  3. SEND Independence Hubs
  4. Supported Internship Programme
  5. What other options are there when you turn 16?
  6. Going to university
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