Program Overview

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Course summary

Our FdA Professional Practice in Special Educational Needs and Disability is designed for people already working in this field, who want to develop their careers. If you are working or regularly volunteering in a school, nursery, residential care or another professional setting, supporting children, young people or adults with special educational needs and disabilities, this programme will enable you to study for a Foundation Degree whilst continuing the work role you love.

This course is typically taught, one afternoon/evening session per week at Grantham College, the course combines college-based learning with your ongoing professional practice and some independent study. You will increase your knowledge and understanding, and develop academic skills to enhance you career and/or move on to higher study.

Key facts

• Award: FdA
• UCAS code: GX36
• Duration: 2 years
• Mode of study: Full time
• Start date: September 2025
• Award: Bishop Grosseteste University
• Institution code: B38

About this course

This course will be of interest to experienced practitioners working in educational settings with children, young people and/or adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The course offers an opportunity to develop specialist knowledge, understanding and skills and widen practitioners’ career opportunities in the education sector. These might include for example, teaching assistant, higher level or specialist learning support roles, or leadership responsibilities in special education settings, residential/respite care, or working with individuals and/or families in the public, voluntary or independent sector. Graduates of this programme may progress to an undergraduate degree (such as a BA (Hons) SEND and Inclusion) by further study and post graduate opportunities such as initial teacher training.

This foundation degree is designed to increase and develop practitioners’ personal, academic and professional skills. The content includes knowledge and understanding of the complex relationships that learners experience within education settings, and practitioner roles. Specialist knowledge and skills include meeting individual needs, inter-agency working, inclusion and supporting learning, teaching and assessment.

What you will study

Students on this course currently study some or all of the following modules:

• Tools for Learning in Higher Education and Work
• Understanding Others as Learners
• Understanding the Policy and Practice of SEND and Inclusion
• Identification and Assessment of Needs
• Meeting Individual Needs in SEND Practice
• Working Collaboratively with Others in SEND
• Holistic Approaches to Well-being in SEND
• Individual Differences: Rhetoric and Reality
• International Dimensions in SEND
• Introduction to Practitioner Research in SEND

Entry requirements

• Typically, applicants should have a minimum of one year’s experience in a relevant, professional setting working directly with children, young people and/or adults with SEND.
• Applicants must have ongoing access to practice with a minimum of 12 hours a week for the duration of the foundation degree (accumulating to 336 hours per year of study) in a relevant role, either as an employee or a volunteer.
• Written support will be required, from the head teacher/workplace manager in which the applicant works or volunteers.
• As regular employees/volunteers, students will be expected to satisfy the standard DBS requirements of the work sector.
• Typically, as a minimum, students should hold a relevant Level 2 qualification or equivalent in a cogent subject/vocational area.

How you will be taught

The programme delivery structure is designed to facilitate studying alongside employment and the modules is a mixture of 15 and 30 credit modules at L4 and all 30 credit modules at level 5.

Academic staff

• Dr Tracy Jeffery
• Dr Julia Lindley-Baker

Assessment

Assessment is through a variety of methods including essays, presentations, journals and portfolios depending on the module content.

Careers & Further study

The course will provide you with opportunities to develop your theoretical knowledge and understanding in this subject area which when applied to practice enhances your professional role. Assessments align with a transference of taught elements to rehearsal in the workplace.

On successful completion of this course you may be able to progress on to a BA (Hons) Degree.

Future careers include:

• Primary or special school teaching
• SEND Classroom Assistant
• Youth Work
• Social Care Setting
• Private Sector Educational Providers