Living Independently Short Course

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About this course

What is the Living Independently Short Course?

The ASDAN Living Independently Short Course is a flexible, portfolio-based course for learners aged 13 and over. It accredits between 10 and 60 hours of practical activities that develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to live more independently.

Learners explore money management, budgeting and financial choices; finding and maintaining a home; health and wellbeing; meal planning and cooking on a budget; career management; and preparation for employment.

Activities can include learning about different types of landlord, managing household costs, creating meal plans and shopping lists, understanding payslips, preparing for interviews and exploring the benefits of work experience.

Through practical, real-world challenges, learners develop independence and employability skills alongside ASDAN’s six core skills: learning, communicating, decision making, thinking, team working and self-awareness.

The course is suitable for learners preparing for greater independence, including care-experienced learners and young people preparing to leave care. It can be delivered in schools, colleges, alternative provision, care and community settings.

Challenges can be interpreted and adapted to suit learners’ individual abilities, needs, interests and learning environments.

Delivery format: Living Independently Short Course is available through Equitas, ASDAN’s digital learning platform, or in student book format. Some Equitas challenges differ from the student book version. Use one format per learner group. Equitas challenges can be downloaded.

Learner age 13+, 14+, 14–16, 14–25, 16+, 16–19, 19+, Adults
Level (indicative for non-regulated courses) Entry 3, Level 1
Key Stage Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5
Education setting Mainstream school, Justice system (including youth offending), Further education, Community Education, EOTAS, PRU, Academy / Multi-academy trust, Voluntary sector, Training provider, Adult education, Independent school, Social services, Secondary
Guided learning hours 10–20 hours, 20–60 hours
Regulated Non-regulated course
Certification Externally certificated, digital or hard-copy (additional fee)
Location England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, International (including Channel Islands and Ireland)
UCAS points No UCAS points available
Available on Equitas Yes
Pathway Personal Effectiveness

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Helpful information
Equitas information booklet
Equitas how to guide
Equitas guidance
Equitas sample challenges

Who is the Living Independently Short Course for?

Short Courses are widely used in formal and non-formal settings, for learners aged 13 and over. Although ASDAN’s Short Courses are designed for learners working at Entry level 3 to Level 1, they can be adapted for learners working above or below these levels. The focus is on completing challenges and developing skills. 

Facts and figures 

  • Flexible programmes of learning accessible to learners at a range of levels
  • Internally moderated
  • Accredits 10–60 hours of activities
  • Can count towards up to three credits for the Personal Development Programmes
  • Can support skills development for ASDAN’s Personal Effectiveness Qualifications and may contribute to recognition of prior learning where standards are met in full 

Requirements

Each learner must have their own registration. Learners must present evidence of their activities in an organised portfolio.

This should include:

  • a record of the challenges completed, with supporting evidence
  • recording documents showing how the learner planned and reviewed their activities
  • a summary of achievement highlighting skills development
  • a personal statement.

Equitas organises evidence against each challenge within the platform.

We have created guidance for members delivering ASDAN Short Courses, including planning, requirements, quality assurance and certification.

Course content

The Living Independently Short Course contains nine modules:

  • Earning and spending money
  • Keeping track of your money
  • Making financial choices
  • A place of your own
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Cooking on a budget
  • Practical cooking skills
  • Career management
  • Preparing for the world of work

Download sample pages from the Living Independently Short Course student book.

For guidance on running ASDAN Short Courses, please see our step-by-step guides:

ASDAN training supports educators to deliver this course successfully. Sessions provide an introduction, alongside guidance on planning, delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance. Training is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

Training is included in ASDAN membership for organisations joining or renewing after 1 April 2026, excluding tailored INSET.

Book training in the members area

ASDAN members can also take part in our special interest groups. These online sessions focus on specific areas of practice and provide opportunities for discussion, collaboration and networking with other members.

All registration costs are per learner. Each learner must have their own registration. Registrations are valid for three years from the date of purchase.

Item Price
Short Course student book  £12
Short Course Equitas learner registration and digital learning platform login £12
Short Course PDF certificate  Free
Short Course printed and foiled certificate (optional, per learner, per Short Course) £3.75

Volume pricing for Equitas Short Courses

We offer scalable pricing for Short Courses on Equitas. This pricing applies only to new registrations made together in a single transaction for the same Equitas Short Course:

  • 1–9 learners: £12 per registration
  • 10–19 learners: £8 per registration
  • 20–29 learners: £6 per registration
  • 30+ learners: £4 per registration
Products

Course resources

Living Independently Short Course - 4A2: Different types of landlord

This worksheet can be used to support challenge 4A2 of the Living Independently Short Course. Learners are asked to research key information about the different types of landlord.

Living Independently Short Course - 5A7: Ways to combat stress

This worksheet can be used to support challenge 5A7 of the Living Independently Short Course. Learners are asked to list three things that make them feel stressed and identify ways to combat this stress.

Living Independently Short Course - 6B1: Weekly meal planner and shopping list

This worksheet can be used to support challenge 6B1 of the Living Independently Short Course. Learners are asked to plan a two-week meal plan. This resource contains a weekly meal plan template and a shopping list template with room to include costs.

Living Independently Short Course - 8A5: Top 10 useful interview tips

This worksheet can be used to support challenge 8A5 of the Living Independently Short Course. Learners are asked to interview someone from a local business about interview skills and come up with a list of their top 10 interview tips.

Living Independently Short Course - 8A9: Top 10 useful interview tips

This worksheet can be used to support challenge 8A9 of the Living Independently Short Course. Learners are asked to identify key features and information on pay slips. This resource provides examples of two pay slips - one weekly and one monthly.

Living Independently Short Course - 9A1: The benefits of work experience

This mind map template can be used to support challenge 9A1 of the Living Independently Short Course. Learners are asked to identify the benefits of work experience.

Evaluation chart (individual)

This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week individual activity. Learners are asked to mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt; at the end of the project the learner should join up the marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Evaluation chart (group)

This evaluation chart can be used by learners to evaluate a six-week group activity. Each member of the group should choose a different colour and mark on the graph each week to show what they did and how they felt. At the end of the project, each group member then joins up their marks to give a picture of the whole activity. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Living Independently Short Course: Resource booklet

This resource booklet includes resources specifically created to support the Living Independently Short Course, as well as links to resources for other ASDAN courses that may also be used.

Planning a group or team task

This resource can be used when planning a group or team task. It links particularly well to ASDAN's Short Course programmes.

Self-evaluation template

This generic self-evaluation template can be used by learners to evaluate almost any group activity. Learners are asked to record how they felt about the activity and pick out the best and worst bits, before reflecting on what they could do better next time. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Teamwork health check

This generic teamwork health check template can support a wide range of group activities. Learners are asked to come up with a list of agreed ground rules for good teamwork, then rate each group member's performance against these criteria. This resource is particularly suited to challenges in Short Courses, Personal Development Programmes (Bronze, Silver, Gold), CoPE and Wider Key Skills.

Progression pathway
Personal Development Programmes
Personal Effectiveness Qualifications
Project Qualifications