South West College has been awarded the Autism NI Impact Award for Education in recognition of its ongoing commitment to supporting autistic and neurodivergent students and staff and for creating a more inclusive learning and working environment.
The prestigious award, presented by Autism NI, recognises organisations that demonstrate excellence in developing autism-accessible practices. The College’s achievement reflects significant work undertaken and co-ordinated through its Autism Working Group, led by dedicated Autism Champions across the College.
Staff across South West College have completed tailored autism awareness training delivered by Autism NI, alongside the implementation of a bespoke action plan designed to strengthen accessibility and inclusion across all campuses.
Christine Kearney, Director of Development at Autism NI, said:
“We are delighted that South West College has achieved the Impact Award. Through their training and action plan, the College has implemented a range of practical and meaningful changes to promote accessibility. By achieving the Impact Award, the College has shown a clear commitment to building an inclusive culture for its employees and learners.”
As part of its inclusive approach, the College has introduced several initiatives to better support neurodivergent individuals. These include the development of a “How to Find” guide and virtual campus tours, helping current and prospective students and staff to become familiar with College environments before arriving on site.
In addition, work is underway to introduce Student Passports, which will ensure that learners’ individual needs are captured centrally and shared with relevant staff to provide consistent and effective support throughout their studies.
The College has further embedded equality, diversity and inclusion more deeply into its practices, with updates to the Teaching and Learning newsletter and the addition of a dedicated section within the self-evaluation process (SEAP) to capture and share examples of good practice.
Celine McCartan, Principal and Chief Executive at South West College said:
“Our approach is to adapt to the needs of our students and staff, rather than expecting them to fit into systems that may not work for them. This award recognises the collective efforts of our teams in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive.”
The Autism NI Impact Award for Education will be formally launched on 2 April to mark World Autism Day.
Autism NI works alongside autistic people and their families to promote understanding, accessibility and improved services. The Impact Award is available to organisations seeking to strengthen their inclusive approach for students, employees and customers.
Further information and Autism-friendly resources are available on the Colleges website www.swc.ac.uk
