Post 16 Provision for Autistic Learners with Complex Needs
A Safe, Supportive Pathway Into Adulthood
KTM Care provides a specialised, person-centred Further Education provision tailored specifically for young adults aged 16 to 19+ with Special Educational Needs (SEN), Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC), Complex Learning Difficulties and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) profiles. Moving beyond traditional classroom structures, we adopt a relational, trauma-informed and low-arousal approach that prioritises emotional safety, co-regulation, and holistic development.
Our Relational Approach
Every interaction at KTM is treated as a meaningful therapeutic and educational intervention. We provide a supportive, encouraging and inclusive environment designed to reduce anxiety, remove barriers to learning, and eliminate setting-induced disability.
Many of the young people referred to us arrive after periods of instability. Some have faced exclusion, struggled to regulate in busy environments, or found it difficult to build trusting relationships. We understand that progress for these learners is slow, delicate and deeply dependent on feeling safe, understood and valued.
Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) Pillars
Every student enters KTM Care with unique starting points, baseline strengths and individual aspirations. Our primary objective is to enable successful transitions into adulthood through the four core PfA pillars:
Employment & Vocational Readiness
Developing functional skills, workplace communication and practical work experience.
Independent Living
Building self-reliance in meal preparation, personal care, household management and financial budgeting.
Community Inclusion
Cultivating social agency, safe navigation of public spaces, travel training and community engagement.
Health & Emotional Wellbeing
Fostering self-regulation, sensory management, physical health and self-advocacy.
Our Programme
Life Skills Development
We focus on building independence through structured, practical learning, including:
- Preparing simple, balanced meals using step-by-step modelling
- Understanding household routines and maintaining personal space
- Using sensory aware approaches to build confidence in everyday tasks
Functional Numeracy & Money Skills
Young people learn to manage real-world situations:
- Budgeting weekly food shops
- Making transactions in shops and using self-checkout machines
- Breaking financial concepts into manageable, visual steps
Community Confidence & Travel Training
We help learners safely access their local area:
- Supported community visits to build confidence and self-esteem
- Gradual exposure to new environments
- Journey planning and travel training at a pace that feels right
Therapeutic Support & Emotional Regulation
Our staff provide consistent relational support, helping young people:
- Understand their emotions
- Navigate social situations
- Build resilience and trust
Flexible, High-Support Timetable
Our proposed structure includes tailored high ratio support to meet individual needs:
Focused on life skills, ASDAN learning, community engagement and confidence building.
Dedicated to independence, shopping, budgeting and volunteering, tailored to the young person’s local community.
Transitioning Into Adulthood
Transition is central to our work. Over the two-year Post-16 pathway, we support young people and families to explore future possibilities, including:
- Continued education
- Supported employment
- Community programmes
- Supported living options
We pride ourselves on how closely we work with families and local authorities to ensure each young person moves into adulthood with confidence, clarity, and security.
Placements with KTM Care
We believe the best outcomes are achieved when young people are surrounded by people who know them well. That’s why we work closely with families, schools, colleges and local authorities to build support that is consistent, connected and tailored to each individual.