CURRICULUM
The children and young people who come to us at ATTACH-Manchester may have experienced significant gaps in learning and time out of school, or may experience particular difficulty accessing the mainstream curriculum. Using information gathered from various sources during our admissions process, we develop an Individual Support Plan to frame the early stages of our work with them. Within the first few weeks, as we build a relationship with the young person, we are able to develop a fuller understanding of how best to enable them to access learning.
Our curriculum is bespoke and person centred. It is tailor made to suit individual needs, strengths and interests. It nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and social emotional development, alongside academic learning. Where it is possible for the young person to access the curriculum more directly, we set out a plan delivering the core curriculum combined with interest-based and self-directed learning. Other children and young people may need a small-steps curriculum incorporating both academic and independence skills.
Our core approach of DDP recognises the impact of trauma on young people’s ability to trust, regulate and learn. We place relational safety and attunement at the heart of our work, and believe that young people thrive when they feel understood, valued and safe.
For some young people, creative arts or technology offer motivation and interest, for others access and alternative potential routes to employment. Our interest-based learning is not just for fun, but to open up possibilities for future employment via non-academic routes.
Another important aspect for this cohort of vulnerable young people is for them to learn self-regulation, confidence and independence. They may need help to learn how best to access support in the future, to manage medical or mental health needs. This can be incorporated into their Individual Support Plan.
Our model incorporates continuous review, as well as supporting statutory review processes. We are developing a small-steps curriculum for each young person, based on the 3i approach of Intention, Implementation, Impact.