Towards Independence

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About this course

What is Towards Independence? 

ASDAN’s Towards Independence is a flexible, portfolio-based course for learners aged 14 and over and adults working from pre-Entry to Entry level. It supports the development of personal, social, work-related and independent living skills.

The course contains 88 modules that can be selected and combined around each learner’s needs, interests and aspirations. Learners receive formal recognition for smaller steps of achievement and can accumulate completed modules to build a personalised record of progress.

Towards Independence includes sensory and widely accessible modules, enabling activities and evidence to be adapted for learners with a broad range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

ASDAN has produced a series of guidance documents showing how components of our programmes and qualifications can meet the four broad areas of need outlined in the SEND code of practice. Download our free guide to addressing SEND areas of need using Towards Independence.

Learner age 14+, 16+, 16–19, 19+, Adults
Level (indicative for non-regulated courses) Pre-Entry level, Entry level
Key Stage Key Stage 5
Education setting Special school, Further education, Community Education, EOTAS, Academy / Multi-academy trust, Training provider, Adult education, Independent school, Social services
Regulated Non-regulated course
Certification Externally certificated, hard-copy only
Location England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, International (including Channel Islands and Ireland)
UCAS points No UCAS points available
Available on Equitas No
Pathway Independent Living

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To teach this course you must be an ASDAN member.

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Who is Towards Independence for?

Towards Independence is suitable for learners aged 14 and over and adults who are working from pre-Entry to Entry level. It is particularly suited to learners with SEND and those who benefit from personalised activities, sensory learning and recognition of smaller steps of achievement.

The course can be delivered in special schools, colleges, alternative provision, EOTAS, residential and day services, local authorities, training providers, community and adult education and other specialist settings.

Activities and evidence can be adapted to reflect learners’ abilities, communication methods, support needs and aspirations.

Course information

Towards Independence:

  • provides a flexible choice of 88 modules
  • develops personal, social, communication, work-related and independent living skills
  • includes introduction, progression, sensory and widely accessible modules
  • enables modules to be selected around individual needs and curriculum priorities
  • recognises smaller steps of achievement towards longer-term goals
  • uses levels of support to demonstrate individual progress
  • enables learners to accumulate modules over time
  • is assessed through a portfolio and externally moderated by ASDAN.

Module themes include:

  • communication and numeracy
  • creative studies
  • cultural studies
  • independent living
  • leisure, recreation and sport
  • personal development, PSHE and citizenship
  • work-related learning
  • sensory and widely accessible learning.
  • Addressing SEND areas of need

Progression

Towards Independence can support the delivery of ASDAN’s Entry 1 qualifications in Personal Progress for learners seeking a regulated qualification outcome.

Download the Towards Independence and Personal Progress mapping document

Depending on their needs and starting points, learners may also progress to:

Modules

Towards Independence modules cover the following themes: 

  • Communication and numeracy
  • Creative studies
  • Cultural
  • Independent living
  • Leisure, recreation and sport
  • Personal development, PSHE and citizenship
  • Work-related
  • Sensory and more widely accessible modules

​There are more than 80 modules available – see the full list of Towards Independence modules.

Each learner will need their own copy of the relevant module book, which registered centres can purchased below.

Requirements

The first module – Starting out – is mandatory. This module enables learners to be helped to recognise achievements and plan targets and challenges, which can then be developed through further modules.

Levels of support are used to show how the learner has achieved the activity. They show individual progression and differentiation between learners:

  • Experience recorded
  • Gestural help
  • No help
  • Physical help
  • Sensory experience
  • Spoken/signed help

Additionally, there is an opportunity to record students' achievements by allocating a P level or other descriptor to their work, as appropriate.

Supporting resources

A Towards Independence tutor guidance and resources folder is available to buy, which includes an overview of the programme, photocopiable resources, ideas for gathering evidence, and answers to frequently asked questions.

In addition, free downloadable resources to support delivery and capturing of evidence for portfolios are available the Course resources section of this page.

The module reference book contains the curriculum for every module and will help tutors plan which modules are most suitable for their learners.

Become a member

Your organisation must be an ASDAN member to deliver this programme.

Our team will discuss your learners’ needs, intended delivery and approval requirements with you.

Register your interest in ASDAN membership

Create a cohort

Once your organisation is approved, create a learner cohort through the members’ area.

Provide the course coordinator’s details, expected completion date and number of learners. Learners should be registered within 60 days of starting and before assessment takes place.

Access the members' area

Resources

ASDAN provides a wide range of supporting resources, including course standards with guidance and assessment materials. All resources related to your course can be found on the course webpage.

All costs shown below are per learner, unless otherwise stated. 
Books purchased for Towards Independence are valid for five years from the date of purchase.  

Item Price

 Towards Independence Starting Out module and folder

 £12.50

 Starting Out mandatory module book only

 £8.20

 Towards Independence module book

 £8.20

 Towards Independence module reference book

 £54

 Towards Independence tutor guidance and resources

 £55

 Towards Independence skills sticker pack

 £15

 Postal moderation (on demand, per portfolio)

 £51

 Certification (up to 13 modules)

 £7.50

All products can be purchased below.

Products

Course resources

Towards Independence: Baking: Introduction: Section C: Using baking equipment

Towards Independence: Developing communication skills: Introduction: Section G: Introducing reading: Signs and labels

Towards Independence: E-safety: Section B: Safer social networking

Towards Independence: Horticulture: Section A: Getting ready to work in the garden

Towards Independence: Independent living: Introduction Section E: Cleaning

Towards Independence: History: Section F: Early lives

Towards Independence: History: Section C: Family history

Towards Independence: Geography: Section C: What’s the weather like?

Towards Independence: Independent living: Progression: Section G: Shopping

Towards Independence: Meal preparation and cooking: Introduction: Section C: Food storage

Towards Independence: Developing numeracy skills: Introduction: Section M: Your weekly routine

Towards Independence: Personal care routines: Sensory: Section A: Personal care

Towards Independence: World of work modules: Section A: Preparing for the workplace

Towards Independence: Everyday living: Section B: In the home

Towards Independence: Everyday living: Section D: Out and about

Towards Independence: Recognising and using everyday signs: Section A: Signs at your centre

Towards Independence Recognising and using everyday signs Section B: Signs in the community

Towards Independence: Sports studies: Section B: Knowing equipment

Towards Independence: Time management and self-organisation Section C: Planning meal times

Towards Independence: Time management and self organisation: Section D: A timetable for every day

Success stories

Achievements of adult learners captured in flexible programme

Social care provider Sense Scotland started delivering ASDAN’s Towards Independence to recognise and celebrate the skills and knowledge of learners aged 18 and over.

Learners develop business enterprise skills and enhance self-confidence

Girvan Opportunities Day Service in South Ayrshire provides a range of holistic and personalised learning opportunities to adults with learning disabilities. Students develop new skills with a view to achieving their own personal outcomes.
Progression pathway
My Independence
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