Before a student is referred to RSDCD for possible placement, we like the student’s parents or carers to visit us. It’s essential that they believe this will be the right place for their son or daughter. Parents are very welcome to bring with them other family members or professionals for support (but not too many please, our students find this distracting!). We do not like talking about young people in their presence, so we prefer prospective students not to attend with their parents on the initial visit. If parents do decide they would like their son or daughter to take up a place at RSDCD, it is important for us to find out if we can meet the young person’s needs.
It is also important that we work as closely as possible with the statutory bodies such as the local authority and Connexions Personal Advisers and the Learning and Skills Council (for students who will join our college) as appropriate. Once a referral has been made by a statutory body, the Link Worker and Educational Psychologist visit the prospective student in their present school. They also meet parents to discuss the young person’s needs in more detail. If it seems that RSDCD might meet the student’s needs, the student is normally invited for a two-day assessment. After this, our Student Management Team advise the Chief Executive/Principal on offering a place.
Parents planning an initial visit should contact our Family Liaison Officer on 0161 610 0179.
Professionals enquiring about placements should contact our Assessment Centre Manager 0161 610 0138.