POA Learning in Kent has supported six keen learners achieve a level 2 Award in Meeting the Needs of Learners with ADHD in the Mainstream Classroom. 

The group, which was the first cohort to complete the qualification, were all from the local community - Sherness East - and all had some form of contact with individuals who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Gareth Williams is POA Learning’s Regional Centre Manager. He said:

Most of the students were parents of children who have ADHD (some of who have ADHD themselves), but we did have a member of staff from a local children's centre who was allowed time off to train. All of the parents who gained the qualification were expected to use their new skills to up-skill other parents of children with ADHD."

The course ran over weekly morning sessions for four weeks at the Sheppey Healthy Living Centre in Sheerness.

Over the duration of the course, the learners completed four modules, these focused on what ADHD is and the causes; the impact that ADHD has on a person; ways in which to modify the impact that ADHD has on learning and key principles of positive behaviour management. 

Part of the course involved learners creating a leaflet outlining information about ADHD - such as behavioural symptoms. One of the cohort then printed a number of their leaflets out and shared them with teacher/ teaching assistants at a local school. 

Dianna Partington, a learner that completed the course, works as a family support worker at Seashells Children’s Centre, said that the course had equipped her with knowledge and skills to practically support individuals with ADHD in a play and learning environment.

Students were able to complete the course free of charge due to funding POA Learning had been awarded through the Swale Community Development Fund. Funding for the course was applied for by the learning centre staff, Gareth and colleague, Beverley Nolker - who also taught the course.

Gareth said: 

We came across the Kent Community Development Foundation, who approved our bid for funding, through research into local funding for adult education, and as a result, put a bid in for funds to cover the costs of the course."

Gareth was very pleased with the way the course went and the benefits it had for those who took part as well their wider community in which they live. He added:

The course provided a great opportunity for anyone affected by ADHD to improve their knowledge and skills in supporting an individual that has ADHD. It was a delight to have a group of such enthusiastic, bright learners intent on improving their own knowledge for the benefit of others. Sessions provided the group with skills to not only support individuals with ADHD in various settings, but also with knowledge to pass on to others affected by ADHD, which can have a positive impact on many people."

Staff at Eastchurch POA Learning centre are looking to run this courses again in the future and support more people suffering from ADHD.