My Independence
About this course
What is My Independence?
My Independence is a suite of four flexible, certificated programmes for learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Mapped to the Preparing for Adulthood pathways, the programmes support person-centred outcomes relating to employment, independent living, good health, relationships and community participation.
The suite provides meaningful learning opportunities for learners with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and moderate learning difficulties (MLD), from pre-Entry level to Entry level 3.
Developed in collaboration with NDTi and co-designed with practitioners, My Independence can complement an existing curriculum or help centres shape a curriculum around Preparing for Adulthood and Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) outcomes.
Showcasing the benefits of My Independence
The film below explains how the programme has been designed to help young people with SEND develop a breadth of outcomes required to live independently and achieve good life outcomes.
Engaging programmes for every SEND learner
The four courses in My Independence, illustrated in the image below, provide an engaging curriculum for a wide range of young people with SEND.
Download the My Independence information flyer
Want to discuss which programme is right for your learners?
Who is My Independence for?
My Independence supports learners with a range of learning needs, including PMLD, SLD and MLD. It can also support young autistic people and learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan or SEND Support Plan.
The programmes are suitable for special schools, mainstream schools, colleges, alternative provision, EOTAS, training providers and adult or community education.
A person-centred approach enables activities, evidence and outcomes to be adapted around each learner’s communication methods, needs, interests and aspirations.
What are the four My Independence programmes?
The suite contains four programmes for learners working at different ages and stages:
- Exploring Aspirations: for learners aged 11–14, supporting preparation for the next stage of education and positive life outcomes
- Transforming Aspirations: for learners aged 14–16, connecting curriculum learning with Preparing for Adulthood outcomes
- Realising Aspirations: for learners aged 14 and over who are developing skills and planning for future opportunities
- Supporting Aspirations: for learners with PMLD, all ages as appropriate
Not sure which programme is most appropriate?
Use the My Independence learner profile tool and get a recommendation for which My Independence course suits your learners best, based on their needs.
What Preparing for Adulthood outcomes does My Independence support?
All four programmes are structured around the Preparing for Adulthood pathways:
- friends, relationships and community
- employment
- good health
- independent living
Activities can support the development and review of person-centred outcomes within Education, Health and Care Plans and SEND Support Plans. They also enable centres to recognise progress and evidence smaller steps of achievement.
What are the benefits of My Independence?
My Independence:
- supports preparation for adulthood and positive life outcomes
- connects curriculum learning with individual aspirations
- uses person-centred planning to reflect each learner’s needs
- develops personal, social, communication and work-related skills
- supports progress towards employment, further education, community participation and independent or supported living
- enables learners to demonstrate progress using words, symbols, pictures and other appropriate evidence
- provides certification at different stages to recognise achievement.
Person-centred planning
Person-centred planning is central to all four My Independence programmes. Activities encourage learners to express what matters to them, recognise what they can already do and identify what they would like to achieve next.
The My Independence person-centred planning toolkit contains practical tools that can be used alongside programme activities and to support Education, Health and Care Plans and SEND Support Plans.
Access the person-centred planning toolkit
Tutor guidance and learner resources
The resources required depend on the My Independence programme being delivered.
Realising Aspirations and Supporting Aspirations
Comprehensive tutor guidance and resources packs have been created to support Realising Aspirations and Supporting Aspirations. These packs are essential for centres delivering these courses as they contain many of the required resources. An electronic copy of the pack will be made available once a centre has purchased a hard copy.
A Realising Aspirations learner record will be available for purchase for each module within the course. You can download a sample of the learner records within the employment PfA pathway.
Exploring Aspirations and Transforming Aspirations
Learner records will be available to purchase for Exploring Aspirations and Transforming Aspirations. Tutor guidance for both programmes will be provided to centres for free when they attend training and will then be available to download from the members area.
Certification
Realising Aspirations and Supporting Aspirations
- 17 certificates available in total (one for completion of each module, one for completion of each pathway and one for completion of the full course).
- An ASDAN printed, embossed certificate can be requested to mark the completion of a full course. The remaining certificates can be downloaded from the ASDAN website.
Exploring Aspirations and Transforming Aspirations
- Five certificates available in total (one for completion of each pathway and one for completion of the full course).
- An ASDAN printed, embossed certificate can be requested to mark the completion of a full course. The remaining certificates can be downloaded from the ASDAN website.
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.
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.
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.
ASDAN training supports staff to introduce and deliver My Independence successfully. It provides guidance on programme selection, person-centred planning, delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance.
The person-centred planning tools are a key component of all ASDAN’s My Independence courses. These will be provided to centres who attend training, as part of the My Independence tutor guidance and person-centred planning toolkit.
Training is included as part of ASDAN membership for organisations joining or renewing after 1 April 2026, excluding tailored INSET.
Please contact independentliving@asdan.org.uk for any My Independence curriculum queries
Course resources
My Independence: mapping to Scottish Curriculum
Quick guide to delivering My Independence
My Independence: mapping to Welsh Curriculum
Supporting Aspirations mapping to Lifeskills Challenge: employment pathway
Supporting Aspirations mapping to Lifeskills Challenge: independent living pathway
Supporting Aspirations mapping to Lifeskills Challenge: friends, relationships and community pathway
Supporting Aspirations mapping to Lifeskills Challenge: good health pathway