About Rug Room

 STUDENT CENTERED PHILOSOPHY

The Centre puts the learner as central in every aspect, including the design of the RUGROOM, as we consider them to be the experts. We offer programmes and support which will enable them to meet their potential and be a contributing member of the community in which they live. This learner centred philosophy runs through into working practices and the curriculum. Since its opening, the Centre has supported many students. Included in that number are students receiving Improving Choices funding (specialist funding to enable high staff/student ratios, specialist inputs and an individualised curriculum). We are developing ‘Expert Learners’ who will advise and contribute to staff professional development in and out of college, speaking at conferences. This also includes the paid role of 'student mentor' offering support to other learners from a similar perspective making our practice more inclusive. This will raise awareness of AS which will help staff and students and boost self confidence.

WHO USES THE RUGROOM

The RUGROOM  is a place where you can escape the business of college life, meet people and socialise. Both mainstream and Phoenix Purple students use this space and you will find students of various ages and on various courses here, many with ASD. The majority of students with ASD at City College have Aspergers syndrome (AS), a disability which is characterised by average, or often above average intelligence, coupled with communication, social and imaginative difficulties. This can result in an individual having very challenging behaviour which results in some learners being unable to cope within mainstream education and the community. The hidden nature and complexity of the disability adds to an individual’s difficulties.

 

PHOENIX PURPLE 

Some of the Improving Choices funded students are enrolled on the Phoenix Purple course, which is a discrete transitional course into mainstream further education for students who need a specialist programme designed to meet the specific need of learners with AS. The Centre has a group of specialist support and lecturing staff who support and deliver the Phoenix Purple curriculum and individualised timetables as well as helping to develop social skills.This programme has been very successful with students attending who had failed in both specialist provisions in Norfolk and out of county provisions. The number of people with AS applying to college is increasing as our reputation for supporting learners spreads.

MAINSTREAM

Mainstream students receive both on and off course support, and all students have access to the RUG facilities. The RUGROOM is open all day and is a place where students can socialise work or relax. Originally envisaged to offer a respite from the stresses which are a result of AS, the space has developed into an area where learners can develop and learn communication and social skills in a safe and natural environment.

STUDENT MENTORS

A few of the students take on added responsibilities and are paid to work with the students in the RUGROOM.  They are providing support and encouragement to other students. They can be seen as more easily approachable than staff as they are students with AS themselves and so see things on a more similar level to the students that might need extra help. They also take part and speak publically at conferences and presentations to raise awareness and better the supporting of learners with AS.

LUNCHTIME AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

In addition RUG encompasses a variety of lunchtime clubs and social activities for students who may find unstructured time difficult. This can offer a communal setting in a less formal environment and can provide the learners with a shared interest as well as providing new opportunities. There are many kinds of clubs from hair and beauty to arabic percussion. Students take an active role in organising RUG activities in and out of college and each half term they have a night out to restaurants, quizzes, karaoke and other events.

RAISING AWARENESS

Students have delivered presentations at many conferences including Asperger East Anglia/National Autistic Society/ Cambridge University and the BAFTA and BETT shows. More recently they have lead student focused workshops at the centres own regional conferences. A former City College learner with AS who also took part in these conferneces has set up her own business offering staff training and mentoring in which she has been very successful.

 

The Centre currently offers

• Transition - Involving and discussing with students from pre-application, introduction to further education and through to the transition out of college, with learners, parents and carers, professionals and support groups.
• One to one support in mainstream sessions
• Phoenix Purple - a discrete transitional course for students with Aspergers syndrome. These students receive Matrix funding which enables us to offer individualised programmes with specialist inputs, for example from a speech therapist specialising in social communication or anger management
• Designing individual packages, timetables and supporting students with Matrix funding on mainstream courses
• Off course support- Help given to students with their assignments outside of lesson time.
• A range of specialist leaflets and information sheets, for example: guides for parents, employers and students www.regionalcentreasd.org/.
• Support and staff development for mainstream staff working outside the ASD Regional Centre for example conferences and training given by staff and students from RUGROOM.
• Liaison and partnership development with outside agencies
• Staff development- training from other agencies for example Asperger East Anglia.
• www.RUGROOM.net- Learner based website where students can communicate with each other both in and out of college.
• The RUG facilities- Individual work areas with computers, den offering gaming activities, quiet pods, kitchen and social areas.
• Social events: Karaoke, Bingo, end of year Prom and end of term meals.
• Lunchtime clubs: Drumming, Jewellery making, Beauty Therapy, Flute, Chess and Sports.

Future plans include

• Development of transitional procedures, both in and out of college
• Developing expertise and curriculum packages in AS specific communication and social skills
• 'Expert Learners' to develop staff training packages and resources which will be availiable in variety of formats
• Research and development in the use of ICT for learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
• Developing integrated management systems for tracking funding and learner records
• Curriculum development
• Transitional Housing
• Building working links with employers and further developing partnerships with other agencies and colleges
• Developing social and micro enterprise for people with AS
• Developing ASD Regional Centre website, RUGROOM TV (and radio)

RUGROOM Launch covered by BBC Look East: