To ensure enough time for the full process, we recommend that prospective families approach us at least a full year before the young adult hopes to start a placement.

Joining Post 19

In order to join St Catherine’s Post 19 Provision, the following criteria all apply:

• The young adult needs to be between the ages of 19 to 25.
• They must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) with a primary need of speech, language and communication or an associated condition.

They need to:

• Have secured an appropriate place with a local educational provider (e.g. Isle of Wight College / HTP Apprenticeship College).
• Be working towards becoming independent.
• Be able to complete all daily personal care activities independently with minimal prompting or by following a visual prompt.
• And be working towards travelling independently, eg. to catch a bus.

Important notes:

• Unfortunately, we aren’t able to offer a place to a young adult whose needs cannot be catered for, or whose condition or behaviour would pose an unacceptable risk to the welfare, health and safety of other young adults, staff or to the applicant themselves.
• We cannot offer a place to young adults who do not have the mental capacity to become independent and manage their own health needs in the near future. If you have any queries, please contact the Admissions Team.

The admissions process

• To get started, contact the Admissions Team to arrange an informal discussion with Lisa Haycox-O’Toole, our Post-19 Registered Manager. 01983 852722. Email admissions@stcatherines.org.uk
• Complete our admission application form, which will be sent to you by our Admissions Co-ordinator, and submit documentation for the Post-19 team to review. 
• If the application review is successful, we will arrange an informal visit to St Catherine’s Post-19 Provision, to view our learning houses and discuss the potential placement with members of the Post-19 team to ensure that the young adult’s needs can be met.
• We will then invite the young adult to attend a three-day trial at St Catherine’s to ensure suitability.

Placement admissions

If a young adult is offered a place at St Catherine’s, it will be subject to them being accepted onto a course at a local education provider.

Therefore, as well as applying to St Catherine’s, you will also need to contact the relevant admissions department for the local education provider (e.g. Isle of Wight College, HTP Apprenticeship College). This is likely to involve arranging a visit, looking at course options and attending an interview. 

Once a place has been offered by both St Catherine’s and a local education provider, the next steps are:

• Submit the young adult’s local education provider acceptance letter to the St Catherine’s Admissions Department.
• St Catherine’s will produce a proposed package of support.
• Apply to the Local Authority for funding and request that St Catherine’s be named on the young adult’s EHCP.
• Obtain written agreement for funding from the Local Authority and pass this to St Catherine’s.