Linkage Community Trust

Linkage College is a long-established independent specialist college in Lincolnshire, with a compelling offer for young people aged 16 - 25 who have any form of learning difficulty or associated disability. The college has two campuses offering both day and residential Study Programmes. Students receive specialist support from highly-trained and friendly staff, including; lecturers, personal and independence tutors, support staff, and where appropriate, speech and language therapists and communication and behaviour specialists.

We achieve outstanding student outcomes because our students have their own personalised study programme built around their own needs and aspirations. Our students learn in real working and living environments that encourage them to 'learn by doing' to develop social confidence, skills, independence and mobility.Our Independence Study Programmes support our students to develop confidence and skills such as: looking after a home, cooking and cleaning, developing good relationships with people, working with others, making decisions, safety awareness. Students on this programme also have the opportunity to access work-based projects and placements.

Our Employability Study Programmes focus on vocational options, including horticulture, business administration, customer service, retail, catering and food service. The 2016 academic year saw the introduction of Small Animal Care, Pottery, Carpentry and Hair & Beauty courses into our Employability curriculum.

All students study Maths, English and ICT at a level which is appropriate to the individual.

We are unique in the number and variety of social and commercial enterprises we manage that offer students work experiences which are second to none, in 'real work' environments designed to develop the skills young people need to gain and maintain employment.With the support of our speech and language therapy team, Linkage promotes a total communication and inclusive environment, which enables students to achieve their communication potential. Staff are experienced in BSL, Makaton, PECs, personalised visual time tables, PCPs, cue cards, prompt cards, schedules, making choice visual cards, communication aids, iPads, objects of reference etc.

Our Weelsby Campus annex is purpose built for students with physical difficulties/disabilities with automated door opening, hoists, physiotherapy, counselling/teaching facilities, wheelchair storing and charging facilities, wet /changing rooms with specialised toileting and showering facilities and a medical room.

We are registered with the Care Quality Commission and staffed 24 hours a day. Each residential student has a detailed Care Plan in place and our expert staff ensure that all their needs are met from academic to persona to social.