My Independence: Exploring Aspirations
About this course
What is Exploring Aspirations?
Exploring Aspirations is a flexible, non-regulated preparation for adulthood course for learners aged 11–14 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Part of ASDAN’s My Independence suite, it supports learners as they prepare for the next stage of their education and work towards positive life outcomes.
The course supports PSHE, citizenship and careers education and is mapped to the four Preparing for Adulthood pathways. Activities can be linked to outcomes within a learner’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or SEND Support Plan and used to demonstrate progress and achievement.
The course is structured around the four Preparing for Adulthood pathways:
- friends, relationships and community
- employment
- good health
- independent living
Activities support learners to explore what they can already do, express what matters to them and identify what they would like to achieve next.
Watch our introductory film to learn how My Independence supports learners with SEND to develop skills and positive outcomes for adulthood.
| Learner age | 11–14 |
| Level (indicative for non-regulated courses) | Entry level |
| Key Stage | Key Stage 3 |
| Education setting | Special school, EOTAS, Academy / Multi-academy trust, Independent school, Secondary |
| Regulated | Non-regulated course |
| Certification | Externally certificated, hard-copy only |
| Location | International (including Channel Islands and Ireland), Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England |
| UCAS points | No UCAS points available |
| Available on Equitas | No |
| Pathway | Independent Living |
Who is Exploring Aspirations for?
Exploring Aspirations is designed for learners aged 11–14 with severe learning difficulties (SLD) or moderate learning difficulties (MLD), including young autistic people. It is particularly suitable for learners following a semi-formal curriculum.
Activities and evidence can be adapted around each learner’s communication methods, abilities, needs and aspirations.
What does Exploring Aspirations cover?
The course is structured around the four Preparing for Adulthood pathways:
- friends, relationships and community
- employment
- good health
- independent living.
Activities support learners to explore what they can already do, express what matters to them and identify what they would like to achieve next.
Learner registration and certification
Centres will need to purchase an Exploring Aspirations learner registration for each learner.
A learner registration includes a hard copy or electronic copy of a learner record.
A pathway progress tracker is provided in the learner record and an online learner progress tracker is available for centres to enter which pathways a learner has completed to demonstrate progress and reward small steps of achievement.
- Five certificates available in total (one for completion of each of the four pathways 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 four pathway certificates can be downloaded from the ASDAN website.
Learner record
The learner record contains the course content, activities and supporting resources, the supporting resources are designed to form part of the learner’s portfolio of evidence.
A pathway reflection at the end of each pathway allows for learners to say or show what they can do and decide for themselves and what activities they would like to try and be able to do on their own.
The learner record and recording templates can be completed by learner, or by the teacher/tutor on behalf of the learner, using words, symbols or pictures.
Tutor guidance
Tutor guidance for Exploring Aspirations is available to download under Course Resources below.
Person-centred planning toolkit
The person-centred planning toolkit can be used across all four My Independence programmes, it contains person-centred planning tools that can be used to support the development of Education, Health and Care Plans and SEND Support Plans.
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
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Exploring Aspirations: Learner registration (price per learner, includes learner record and certification) | £31 |
| Exploring Aspirations learner record (tutor reference copy) | £20 |
| My Independence learner evidence binder (with tabbed pathway dividers) | £8 +VAT |
| My Independence pathway stickers (pack of 120 stickers) | £6 +VAT |
Products can be purchased below.
