What do we mean by complex needs? - InFocus Charity, Exeter

Complex needs can have a huge impact on the lives of young people and adults both educationally and in daily life. In this post, we’ll look at what complex needs are and the impact they can have on the lives of those affected, as well as how we at InFocus can help.

What are complex needs?

Complex needs are what we would refer to conditions such as a disability or impairment which requires support on a daily basis. These conditions can make it difficult for a person to engage with education or daily life on a physical, mental, and behavioural level. Such conditions can develop from birth or after an illness or injury.

Some examples of complex needs include:

Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD)
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Severe Learning disabilities (SLD)
Moderate Learning needs (MLD)
Sensory impairment – such as visual impairment
Physical Needs
Social and emotional needs
Complex communication difficulties

Needs can vary greatly from person to person, which will therefore require different levels of care and support. Some young people may have a higher level of independence than others, but what’s important is that each student receives a dedicated level of care.

How can complex needs affect daily life?

Individuals with complex needs can often face difficulty carrying out daily tasks that others may take for granted. For example, someone with physical disabilities may be unable to do tasks like getting dressed or brushing their teeth without the help of a parent or carer.

They may also struggle with tasks such as:

Personal care – such as bathing, grooming
Mobility – travelling to and from places independently
Everyday tasks – like cleaning, cooking and shopping
Healthcare – such as ordering prescriptions and attending appointments
Social interactions – like attending social events or making friends

Young people may require additional support as they learn to navigate the world around them, such as specialised education plans.

Support can also continue into adult life, as those with complex needs may struggle to find employment, and live independently. As such, they may require ongoing support from caregivers, healthcare professionals, and support services.

How can complex needs affect learning?

Special educational needs in particular can often be linked to complex needs, as they may impact a person’s ability to access education in the same way as their peers.

Depending on their needs, they may have difficulties with core skills of learning such as:

Understanding and processing information
Reading
Writing
Communication
Concentration
Problem solving

Students may also have trouble moving around learning environments due to their physical needs, or struggle to express their emotions or needs. Lessons and activities in a classroom setting could also present challenges with their ability to engage with others.

Furthermore, young people with SEN may require extra support in order to access the curriculum and participate fully in school life. This could include specialist equipment, personalised education plans, and one-to-one methods of support such as one support from teaching assistants or other professionals.

Without this support, students may have difficulty with their education and reaching their full potential.

How do we support young people with complex needs?

At InFocus College, we firmly believe in providing equal opportunities for all to pursue their dreams and reach their goals, including those with complex needs.

Specialist curriculum

Through our Specialist curriculum, we inspire, challenge and empower students to live their best life and build skills towards independence and adulthood. The curriculum focuses on 5 key areas of learning:

Core life skills – embracing life to the fullest
Social and Community – living healthy and happy lives
Voice and Choice – advocating for themselves
Independence – maximising daily living skills
Work – developing meaningful occupation

While qualifications aren’t the main focus of the curriculum, they are available for students who may need them. We can also help students in obtaining degrees such as from GCSEs for Maths, English and ICT.

Care and support services

Our College also provides a wide range of support to cater to the needs of students with vision impairment and complex needs, which includes

We can also provide access to specialist facilities, such as hydrotherapy pools and sensory rooms, offering students both fun and educational activities.

Visit InFocus College

If you would like to book a visit to our campus, we would be more than happy to show you firsthand what our college has to offer. It’s a great opportunity to see our facilities, meet our staff, and observe our students in action.

During your visit, you are welcome to have a one-on-one meeting with our staff to ask any questions you may have about our college or the admissions process. We are here to make your visit as smooth as possible, so please feel free to reach out to us for assistance where needed.

You can contact us today via email (college@infocus-charity.org.uk) or by phone (01392 454200). We look forward to meeting you!