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We want everyone to be as happy as possible from their very first day at Mercury College.
Enquiries from families and placing authorities are always welcome, whether they relate to day, residential or supported living placements.
We ask placing authorities to share relevant information so that we can carefully consider whether Mercury College can provide the right learning environment, support and transition planning for the young person.
Young people referred to Mercury College often have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and will be assessed in person before admission, to understand whether Mercury College can meet their learning, support and transition needs. This Pre-admission Assessment is carried out by an assessment team, led by experienced colleagues from the education tea, and supported by therapy colleagues as required.
When a residential or supported living service is also required, relevant care professionals will join the assessment team too. They will arrange to meet the young person and as many people as possible who are centrally involved in their direct education, to understand their needs, strengths, aspirations and support requirements. We also get to know more about any risks that need to be understood and safely supported.
This assessment is the start of the person-centred planning process that ensures each young person is treated as an individual. We want to try to understand the kind of life the young person wants to build and what support they require to make this happen. If, after completion of a thorough assessment process, we think we can provide the right learning opportunities, support and environments for someone to thrive, we inform the placing authority, who will usually share the decision with the young person and their family. If funding of the proposed placement is agreed, transition planning can commence.
View our Preparing for Adulthood Guide here!
Transition Planning
A transition plan is developed for each student, setting out the support they will need to move into Mercury College successfully. Depending on the student’s needs, this can include a combination of: visits/tours of the college; taster days/sessions; photos and videos of the new environment; parental/professional visits; and social stories.
At the end of a student’s time at Mercury College, we work alongside families and professionals to support positive next steps and help each young person move on with the right support in place.
Moving In
For students who are also moving into associated residential or supported living services, we want the move to feel safe, positive and carefully planned. A Team Manager works with the student, their family or carers, professionals and placing authority to plan the move around the student’s needs, preferences and wellbeing. Everyone’s experience will be different, but all plans will have the following key elements:
• a support team that is informed, trained and prepared
• all colleagues have a one-page profile in a format the student understands
• an identified key worker
• the student’s choices about their home (what is important to them environmentally)
• agreement on the plan.
Moving-in day can be exciting, but also overwhelming. Again, everyone’s first day and night will be different, but some of the key elements will be:
• their key worker is there to greet them
• their first night is designed around them and what they will need
• they are not met by too many new people at once, unless their needs indicate otherwise
• they will have a ‘welcome to your new home’ card and welcome pack or hamper, individualised to their personal likes and preferences.