Life Skills Curriculum

LIFE SKILLS CURRICULUM and What is ASDAN?

 The ASDAN Certificate in Life Skills (Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3) is approved by QCA, DELLS and CCEA and is listed in Section 96 and 97 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 for students ages 12 to 16

Core Components Outcomes

• Integration     
• Socialization, Role modelling benefiting both students in life skill program and the ICS mainstream program.
• Trips
• Residential daily living skills, confidence, socialisation, knowledge of environmentalism
• HUG business          
• Economic life skills, social and functional academic life skills practice
  Individual       
• Specific, targeted, strengths based approach

What is the Certificate in Life Skills?

The qualification embraces the development of Personal, Social, Health, Moral, Citizenship and ICT skills and also encompasses the development of independent skills and skills which prepare the candidate for life. Progression is recognised throughout the three levels of the qualification, in requiring the candidate to demonstrate their ability to maintain skills learnt as well as recognising lateral and incremental achievements.

Certificate in Life Skills Specifications: Citizenship, Community, Home Management, Personal Care, Preparation for Working Life, ICT

Structure of the qualification

The qualification consists of 6 units:

• Personal Care
• Community
  
• Citizenship
• Home Management
• Preparation for Working Life
• ICT

To gain the Life Skills Qualification, candidates need to complete 4 out of 6 units.

Assessment

The qualification will be assessed through a portfolio of evidence. Candidates are also required to do Additional Activities/tasks (set by ASDAN), which provide confirmation that the candidate has met the unit specifications.
The portfolio and Additional Activities will be assessed internally by the centre and moderated externally by ASDAN. 
All students in the Life Skills Program at the International Community School will have an Individual Life Skill Plan (ILSP) and an Individual Transition Plan (ITP) that will be developed with the student, teachers, LSA, Parents, therapists, administration and any other relevant stake holders.  Data used to create the ILSP will include each student's educational psychologist report, previous school records, interest inventories, and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales. Specific attainable goals will be developed and reviewed regularly (at least once per term).

Units and Sections:

1.  Unit: ICT
   • Using ICT in the home
   • Using ICT in the community
   • Using ICT in personal communications
   • Using ICT to enter, store and retrieve information
   • Using ICT to present ideas
2. Unit: Community
   • Personal safety
   • Travelling Around
   • Shopping
   • Seeking Help and Advice
   • Using Leisure Facilities
3. Unit: Citizenship
   • Self Advocacy
   • Decision Making
   • Developing Good Relationships and Resolving Conflict
   • Different Communities
   • Caring for Others and the Environment
4. Unit: Home Management
   • Preparing a Meal
   • Safety in the Home
   • Using Equipment
   • Money Management
   • Cleaning the Home
5. Unit: Preparation for Working Life
   • Finding Out About Work
   • Preparing for a Work Related Activity
   • Using Help and Advice to Plan Your Next Steps
   • Taking Part in a Work Related Activity
   • Health and Safety
6. Unit: Personal Care
   • Identifying and understanding the effects of harmful drugs
   • Health and Fitness
   • Personal Hygiene
   • Different Roles and Responsibilities in and outside the home

To achieve a unit, candidates need to complete all 5 sections. Unit certification is available at all Entry levels.

Why we use the ASDAN programme?

We use ASDAN because it provides a holistic guide to learning and allows practical evidence to indicate how the student learns. This requires that the student is actively involved in his/her educational development and acquisition of skills for lifelong learning.
 
Students are given opportunities to use their skills in context by having the life skill lessons presented in real life situations which greatly aides in the generalization of their skills.  As we are based in the heart of London, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, we are able to teach life skills by learning to use public transportation, make purchases at local shops and grocery markets, explore a wide variety of cultural and leisure opportunities, and so much more of what it means to be an active participating member of the community.
 
While ASDAN is an internationally recognized certificate, we are, as a registered ASDAN centre, given flexibility in presenting lessons to best meet our students needs. As students learn important life skills their confidence grows as they achieve great levels of interdependence and independence. 
 
As already mentioned students engaged in the life skills program are actively engaged in their individual learning.