Skip to main content
Internal Accreditation

Life Skills & Enrichment

Scheme of Work

Preparation for adulthood through practical life skills, personal development, and enrichment activities for SEND learners.

Section 1

Intent, Implementation & Impact

Intent

  • Deliver a knowledge-rich curriculum adapted for SEND learners
  • Build confidence and independence through scaffolded learning
  • Ensure all learners access their full educational entitlement
  • Align with EHCP outcomes and Preparation for Adulthood pathways

Implementation

  • Differentiated resources and multi-sensory teaching approaches
  • Therapeutic integration within lessons to support regulation
  • Regular formative assessment to track progress against targets
  • Small group sizes with high staff-to-learner ratios

Impact

  • Measurable progress against EHCP outcomes each term
  • Accredited qualifications appropriate to learner ability
  • Improved confidence, resilience, and self-regulation
  • Readiness for next steps in education, training, or employment
Section 2

Curriculum Overview by Strand

PSHE & RSE

Health & Wellbeing
Develop healthy relationships and understand consent
Build mental health awareness and emotional wellbeing
Understand online safety and digital citizenship

Content: Relationships, consent, mental health, online safety, physical health

Progression: From awareness → informed decision-making

Real-World: Personal relationships, health choices, staying safe online

Personal Finance & Budgeting

Independent Living
Understand income, expenditure and budgeting
Develop skills in managing money effectively
Explore banking, saving and financial planning

Content: Budgets, banking, bills, saving, debt awareness

Progression: From basic awareness → independent money management

Real-World: Managing wages, paying bills, saving for goals

Cooking & Nutrition

Health & Wellbeing
Plan and prepare healthy, balanced meals
Understand food safety and kitchen hygiene
Develop practical cooking skills for independence

Content: Meal planning, recipes, nutrition, food safety, kitchen skills

Progression: From assisted → independent meal preparation

Real-World: Daily meal prep, healthy eating, budget cooking

Home Management

Independent Living
Maintain a clean, safe and organised home
Understand tenancy responsibilities and rights
Develop practical household management skills

Content: Cleaning, laundry, home safety, tenancy, bills

Progression: From supported tasks → independent home management

Real-World: Renting, home upkeep, household organisation

Travel & Community Access

Community Inclusion
Navigate public transport independently
Access local services and community facilities
Develop road safety and personal safety awareness

Content: Bus/train travel, maps, local services, road safety

Progression: From accompanied → independent community access

Real-World: Getting to work, accessing healthcare, leisure

Careers & Employability

Employment
Explore career pathways and work opportunities
Develop CV writing and interview skills
Build workplace readiness and employability skills

Content: Career exploration, CV writing, interviews, work experience

Progression: From exploration → work-ready skills

Real-World: Job applications, interviews, workplace behaviour

British Values & SMSC

Community Inclusion
Understand and demonstrate fundamental British Values
Develop spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness
Build resilience against extremism (Prevent)

Content: Democracy, rule of law, liberty, respect, tolerance, SMSC

Progression: From understanding → active citizenship

Real-World: Voting, respecting others, community participation

Enrichment & Wellbeing

Health & Wellbeing
Explore creative and recreational activities
Develop strategies for emotional regulation
Build social skills through group activities

Content: Art, music, sport, mindfulness, social skills, cultural capital

Progression: From participation → leading activities

Real-World: Hobbies, social groups, mental health management

Section 3

Assessment Cycle

CONTINUOUSCYCLE

Baseline

September

Formative

Ongoing

Half-Termly

Every 6 weeks

Summative

Termly

Annual Review

Annually

Baseline

Initial assessment to establish starting points and inform differentiation

Formative

Regular lesson-level checks for understanding and progress

Half-Termly

Assessed tasks to track progress against learning objectives and EHCP targets

Summative

End-of-term assessment with moderated grading and reporting

Annual Review

Contribution to EHCP Annual Review with evidence of progress

Section 4

Adaptations for SEND Learners

SEMH Support
  • Regulation breaks built into lesson plans
  • Therapeutic check-ins before and after sessions
  • Flexible seating and low-stimulus environments
  • Positive behaviour reinforcement strategies
ASC Adaptations
  • Visual timetables and structured routines
  • Clear, literal instructions with visual supports
  • Advance notice of changes to activities or routine
  • Reduced sensory demands in the learning environment
Communication Needs
  • Colourful Semantics and visual communication aids
  • Pre-teaching of key vocabulary before each topic
  • Simplified task instructions with visual scaffolding
  • Alternative recording methods where appropriate
Cognition & Learning
  • Scaffolded worksheets with graduated difficulty
  • Concrete-pictorial-abstract approach to new concepts
  • Repetition and retrieval practice built into every session
  • Extended processing time and chunked instructions
Section 5

Termly Scheme of Work

Section 7

Preparation for Adulthood Links

Employment

  • Workplace-relevant skills and knowledge
  • Problem-solving and independent thinking
  • Teamwork and collaboration skills
  • Accredited qualifications for career pathways

Independent Living

  • Real-world application of core skills
  • Managing personal information and data
  • Budgeting and financial literacy connections
  • Health and safety awareness

Community Participation

  • Understanding rights and responsibilities
  • Environmental and social awareness
  • Communication skills for community engagement
  • Active citizenship and participation

Health & Wellbeing

  • Self-regulation and emotional literacy
  • Physical wellbeing and healthy choices
  • Building resilience and self-confidence
  • Therapeutic progress and coping strategies

Questions About Our Life Skills Programme?

Our PfA team can discuss how life skills and enrichment support SEND learners' preparation for adulthood.