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Support for Adults

What We Do

It’s never too late to learn to release your potential.

"I just wanted to write to say thank you for all your help and support and to let you know that I have passed both my (QTS) literacy and numeracy tests! I found that in the end they were less scary and daunting than I had initially thought. All your help and pointers were invaluable in making the experience an easier and calmer one than it might otherwise have been."

If you are not sure what support you may need please contact us to arrange an initial consultation.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions for Adults.

Find out more about Diagnostic Assessment for Adults.

If you are a University Student you may be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance. Visit our University Student Page for more information.

At Helen Arkell we offer skills development sessions to support your study/learning or workplace skills.

What is skills development?

It is a way of helping you to develop the skills and strategies that you need, together with an awareness of how and when they might be used. This means that, after you have had the time to practise, you will be able to take the most efficient approach to a task. The training will be designed to meet your individual needs and you will be able to agree the content with the specialist at the first session. The list below provides an example of skills that may be included. You will have your own priorities that may include some of these areas that you want to improve, or you may have others that are unique to you.

Organisation
Managing your time
Planning and monitoring the workload and projects
Reading
Writing
Presentations
Meetings including taking notes
Communicating with colleagues
Applying for promotion, interviews, written assessments
Examinations and tests

What would happen in a skills development session?

The sessions are informal. You and the specialist will agree goals together and choose a starting point. During the sessions you and the specialist will work together in a guided, collaborative way. Each session will last either one and a half or two hours, depending on your needs and work commitments. The space between sessions taking place will usually be about 4 – 6 weeks so that you have the time to try out the strategies in real working situations. When you meet the specialist for your next session you will be able to provide feedback and discuss how things have been working.

What are the benefits of skills development sessions?

Tailored specifically to your needs within the context of your job role or study
Designed to help you develop skills and strategies, together with an awareness of how and when they might be used
This means that, given time to practise, you will be able to take the most efficient approach to a task

What if I can’t afford skills development? Is there funding?

Help is sometimes available. Read more about Access to Work. Do get in touch with us at Helen Arkell to find out about funding which may be available.

Who delivers the training?

A dyslexia specialist who has experience working with adults in the workplace will deliver the training. She/he will have experience working within a wide variety of situations, such as: office environments, creative roles, public services, construction industry, engineering, teaching etc.

I’ve seen somebody before, how would this be any different?

Our specialist will spend time getting to know you at the beginning. This means that she/he will be able to gain an overview of your situation and also an understanding of your job role and your main concerns. Together you will agree a plan to take you forwards. This personalised approach will help you make the most of your strengths whilst taking steps to help minimise the challenges that you are concerned about.

Does it have to happen in the workplace?

No the sessions can take place at the centre but it is best if real work tasks are used so that you can gain the most from them. Clients are usually happy to bring with them their laptops, or if more appropriate paper examples of tasks that they wish to develop different ways of approaching. For example if you work in an office then your laptop would be useful. If you work outside an office such as landscape gardening or constru8ction,then paperwork that you need to work with would be best.

Does my employer have to know?

Your employer does not have to know that you have approached the centre for help or that you are attending development sessions. The decision will be yours to make. But if your employer is advised then this can be very beneficial. The specialist can help you and your line manager work together to make the most of your strengths and help minimise the challenges that you are concerned about. If you are applying for Government funding through the Access to Work scheme then this is different and you will need to tell your employer.

What can an employer do to help?

There are many ways that employers can help. This might be putting reasonable adjustments in place to help minimise the difficulties the employee is experiencing.

They may also arrange skills development training for the employee. Because each employee and work situation is unique the most suitable steps to take will depend on the individual circumstances. We are able to provide a consultation with one of our professionals so that you can chat about the issues that you are facing and they will be able to advise you on the most appropriate step to take next.

To find out more about the help that is available follow the links above.

If you are not sure what to do next or want to discuss your options contact us.