This week (16th–22nd June) is Learning Disability Week, a vital national campaign led by Mencap to shine a light on the experiences, talents, and voices of people with learning disabilities. This year’s theme, “Do You See Me?”, is a powerful reminder to notice, value and celebrate every individual, not just in principle, but in practice.
At Shaping Lives, we don’t just see our learners—we champion them. We believe every child and every learner deserves to be understood, supported and empowered to succeed. Learning Disability Week is a moment to celebrate difference and challenge stigma. Also to reaffirm our commitment to inclusion in early years education and beyond.
Why inclusion in Early Years matters
The earliest years of a child’s life are full of wonder, discovery and growth. For children with learning disabilities, those early experiences can set the tone for the rest of their education—and life.
That’s why we take inclusion seriously. From our apprentices to our partners in nurseries, we believe everyone working with children should feel confident and equipped to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). And that starts with recognising strengths, understanding needs, and creating learning environments where all children—and educators—can thrive.
How Shaping Lives Support apprentices with additional needs
We know that apprentices come to us with different strengths, challenges and learning styles. That’s why our approach is personal, not one-size-fits-all.
At Shaping Lives, support starts from day one. From day one, our expert team supports each learner by understanding how they learn best. By building confidence and removing barriers, whether they’re managing ADHD, dyslexia, sensory needs, or just need extra guidance.
Here’s how we make it work:
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Early identification: First and foremost, we take the time to get to know each learner individually, ensuring that no need goes unnoticed or unsupported.
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Tailored support: We offer a range of personalised options, from 1:1 coaching to structured learning tools so we can adapt the journey to meet learners exactly where they are.
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Inclusive learning design: Our curriculum and assessments are also built with accessibility in mind, whether through the use of colour overlays, immersive readers, or personalised arrangements for functional skills.
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Expert coaching: Finally, our team is extensively trained to support a wide range of learning needs and is always on hand to assist both learners and employers.
Ultimately, it’s about seeing the whole person and building a learning experience that empowers them to grow with confidence.
Building confidence through our SENDCo Level 3 Award
If you’re passionate about making early years education inclusive for all children, our Early Years SENDCo Level 3 Award is a brilliant next step.
This course gives you the tools to confidently support children with SEND, build inclusive classrooms, and work closely with families and colleagues to achieve the best outcomes.
What you’ll gain:
- Practical strategies to support children with additional needs.
- Skills to shape inclusive, nurturing environments.
- Confidence to work effectively with parents, colleagues and external professionals.
- A clear path to professional development and future career opportunities.
New to the role or looking to deepen your knowledge? The course is flexible, expert-led and shaped to fit around busy working lives.
👉 Learn more about the SENDCo Level 3 Award here.
Let’s make a difference, together
Inclusion isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s essential. During Learning Disability Week, we’re reminded when we really see each individual, we unlock potential not just in them, but in ourselves and our communities.
Let’s keep championing every learner. Let’s keep shaping lives.
👉 Learn more about Learning Disability Week and how to get involved: https://www.mencap.org.uk/learningdisabilityweek
If you’d like to know more about our apprenticeship programmes, get in touch—we’re here to help:
