Bettws Lifehouse is a school that believes in a truly person-centred approach to learning and personal growth across all its settings. In the Post 16 centre, an essential, well-balanced relationship between academic learning and wellbeing support leads to successful outcomes for our pupils. 

To be truly person centred in our provision we make sure the young person sits in the middle of all provision planning from the first visit. We creating a relaxed atmosphere for the initial meeting and subsequent conversations so that the young person can explore the multitude of options we offer and also share their personal challenges, needs, interest, desires and aspirations. 

This information from the pupil complements their education health care plan to inform the truly person-centred provision package for each young person. Timetables and curriculum plans remain flexible working documents, adapted as often as half-termly if required to meet changing individual needs. As well as academic success as an outcome for all pupils, we strive to prepare young people for adulthood. Becoming increasingly independent, Life skills sessions, group activities (indoor and outdoor) and individual wellbeing sessions are central to this goal. .

Annual Reviews of Education Health Care Plans are used to identify and review person-centred plans that address relevant aspects of preparation for adulthood for each young person. Person-Centred Plans identify personal outcomes which are relevant to the young person’s aspirations, needs and wants. Pupils are supported in 1:1 Wellbeing sessions with highly skilled mentors, who work in partnership with the pupils to overcome fears and challenges that may hold young people back. Sessions provide opportunity to look back at progress and to inform changes to their support or teaching going forward. Pupils learn that their voice matters and is heard, and that there is a place for all of us in the adulthood that is just around the corner for them. 

Along with the wellbeing sessions, every young person will have a number of PFA (Preparation for Adulthood) sessions each week in which life skills and independence are developed to support the independent living of adulthood, from making decisions, planning a leisure activity, budgeting, washing clothes to basic car maintenance. The list is almost endless. 

Pupils create a useful portfolio which they can take with them to refer back to during their emerging independence and life after school. We also spend time every week exploring strategies and services that support us to manage our own personal physical and mental health and developing self-awareness. We learn more about the numerous diagnoses that so many of us have to learn to live with and develop coping strategies that give us the confidence and belief that we can live independently and find enjoyable work that ultimately makes us feel part of the society we live in. 

We are truly blessed to have managed to build a team of teaching and support staff that is second to none. Caring, supportive, understanding, patient, hard working and always looking at new ways to understand the ever-changing complexities of young people and the challenges they bring. 

It is the fine and carefully considered balance of our provision that has seen young people we have worked with move into all sorts of employment, further and higher education with their heads held high and the tools they need to explore and enjoy the life that is unfolding in front of them.