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Council and Fire Service launch ground-breaking new educational approach

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Gloucestershire County Council, in partnership with SkillZONE has announced a ground-breaking new educational approach for children with Special Educational Needs.

At a launch event on Monday, 4 December, the council revealed its approach to the Preparation for Adulthood programme.

The programme helps children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) to achieve their full potential and prepare them to lead fulfilling lives as contributors to their communities.

Partners, including Stagecoach, Great Western Railway and Co-Operative Food, have helped to develop the life-skill learning aspects of the programme.

SkillZONE, a part of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS), and the county council have collaborated to create a programme offering young people with Educational Health Care Plans the opportunity to utilise the SkillZONE educational centre for safe, realistic, and stimulating learning experiences.

Schools will undergo training to effectively implement SEN Preparation for Adulthood objectives using the education centre, after this they will be able to book to use the centre.

This dynamic programme introduces a flexible approach, allowing schools to tailor usage based on the unique needs of the young individuals they serve. This could be focussed on planning and creating a budgeted shopping list or navigating public transport utilising SkillZONE's facilities to bring it to life. The new initiative provides a youth-centred learning environment.

SkillZONE is an interactive, life-size indoor village with realistic home, community, road, cyber and criminal justice zones. It is Gloucestershire’s only purpose-built safety education centre and is run by GFRS on behalf of the county council.

Cllr Philip Robinson, Cabinet member responsible for Education and Skills at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to work with our partners to offer this ground-breaking new approach for children and young people with Special Educational Needs.

“The remarkable facilities at SkillZONE will provide children and young people from across the county with safe, realistic and stimulating learning experiences.

“This will help them to achieve their full potential as they prepare for adulthood.”