Towards Independence

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About this course

Towards Independence

Towards Independence provides a framework of activities to develop and accredit personal, social, work-related and independent living skills.

Towards Independence offers formal recognition for small steps of achievement towards a larger goal. There are more than 80 modules, which can be used separately and accumulated to build a record of personal achievement.

Addressing SEND areas of need

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.

New Towards Independence materials 

ASDAN has undertaken a full review of Towards Independence to update its content and ensure it continues to positively impact and create meaningful outcomes for young people with diverse needs. Changes have been made to the course materials, including module books, tutor guidance and reference books. There is now a bank of 88 modules available to choose from for your learners to enjoy.

Our Towards Independence: changes for 2024 document outlines how the modules have been updated and developed following feedback from our members, as well as the titles of brand new modules created.

To find out more details on the review process and the development areas, read our Towards Independence review blog.

Learner age 16+, 16–19, 19+, Adults
Level Pre-Entry level (indicative), Entry level (indicative)
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

Join ASDAN

To teach this course you must be an ASDAN member.

Become a member

Already a member? Sign in

Who is it for?

  • Adult learners
  • Learners aged 14+

Towards Independence can be used in schools, colleges, residential and day care services, local authorities and private provision.

Progression

For those seeking a qualification outcome, Towards Independence can be used to support the delivery of the Entry 1 qualifications in Personal Progress – download this mapping document for details.

There is also scope for progression through:

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.

Getting started

New to ASDAN?

Your first step is to become a member of ASDAN. Read more about our membership tiers and the benefits of being a member.

Already a member?

If you are on our Programmes Plus membership, you can get started by purchasing materials below. We highly recommend that someone from your centre attends one of our introductory training workshops or we also provide in-house training sessions. 

You can upgrade your membership at any time under account settings.

ASDAN members area

You can manage your courses, learners, orders and account settings in the members’ area. This also contains all the essential documents, forms and updates that you will need to deliver your course.

Certification

After students' work has been internally moderated, centres must register candidates for external moderation, which is carried out at a regional moderation meeting or by post. ASDAN will issue certificates following successful external moderation.

There is no minimum number of Towards Independence modules required for certification; centres may wish to have learners’ work moderated and certificated one module at a time or wait until they have completed several modules. Up to five module titles can be included on each TI certificate for each learner. If a learner is entered for more than five modules, they will receive more than one certificate and the centre will
be charged accordingly. 

Become a member 

Our expert team will guide you through the process. Please complete this expression of interest form and an ASDAN expert will be in touch. You can also visit our membership page for a reminder of what is included. 

Create a cohort

Once you are approved as an ASDAN member and have approval to deliver this course, you can create a cohort of learners in the members’ area. Specify a course coordinator, the expected completion date and the number of learners taking the course. Learners should be registered within 60 days of starting any ASDAN course and before any assessment takes place. 

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. 

Assessment 

All ASDAN courses are assessed through portfolios or projects, instead of exams. Appropriate internal quality assurance (IQA) and external quality assurance (EQA) will take place according to the course and you will be guided on this by our team. 

Professional development opportunities

Continued professional development (CPD) training opportunities are available for all ASDAN courses to support assessment and internal quality assurance (IQA). 

Training is delivered by ASDAN experts, supporting your centre to run our courses successfully and develop and sustain expertise across your team. They provide an introduction to the course, along with guidance on processes, course delivery and moderation.  

Browse training opportunities 

As an ASDAN member, you can also take part in ASDAN’s special interest groups. These are termly online sessions focusing on specific areas of practice, providing space for discussion, collaboration and networking between ASDAN members. 

Costs

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
New Horizons
Workright
Transition Challenge
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