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 be considered for a placement within St Catherine's Post 19 Residential Provision, it is essential that:

1. The young adult is turning 19 within the academic year they start and are not older than 25.
2. The young adult has an Education, Health and Care Plan with a primary or secondary need of speech, language and communication or an associated condition.
3. The young adult must have secured an appropriate place with an educational provider on the Isle of Wight (e.g. Isle of Wight College, HTP Apprenticeship College) that allows academic progression.
4. The young adult should have the mental capacity to become independent in all aspects of their health and social aspirations.
5. The young adult should have the mental capacity to work towards managing their own medication.
6. The young adult should be able to complete all daily personal care activities independently with minimal prompting or by following a visual prompt.
7. The young adult demonstrates a desire and drive to become independent.
8. The young adult is eager to engage with all aspects of the Post 19 Provision.

Important note:

• Our provision is unable to offer a place to an applicant whose needs could not be catered for or whose condition or behaviour would pose an unacceptable risk to the welfare, health and safety of the provision's students, staff or to the applicant themselves.

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 an Isle of Wight education provider.

Therefore, as well as applying to St Catherine’s, you will also need to contact the admissions department of the relevant Isle of Wight 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 an Isle of Wight education provider, the next steps are:

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