What happens after school for a young person with an EHCP? How does the specialist college admissions process actually work?

In this episode of Focus In, host Cameron Mills is joined by Sonia Pidduck, Admissions and Reviews Manager at InFocus College, for an in-depth conversation about navigating post-16 options and applying to specialist colleges.

Together, they explore:

• When families should start thinking about post-school pathways

• What a specialist college is and who it’s designed for

• How to research and compare different colleges

• What happens during visits and assessments

• How Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) work after school

• How to nominate a chosen college

• Common challenges families face – and practical ways to manage them

• Where to find trusted advice and up-to-date SEND guidance

Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or are already partway through the admissions journey, this episode offers clear, practical insight to help you feel informed and more confident.

If you have questions about specialist post-16 provision or the admissions process, this conversation is for you.

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For more information on InFocus Charity: www.infocus-charity.org.uk

In this episode of Focus In, host Cameron Mills is joined by Dr Jonathan Waddington to explore what it really means to receive a diagnosis of Cerebral Vision Impairment, often known as CVI.

CVI is one of the most common causes of vision impairment in children, yet it is still widely misunderstood. In this conversation, Cameron and Dr Waddington discuss how CVI affects visual processing, how it differs from ocular conditions, and what families and professionals need to know when navigating concerns about a child’s vision.

The episode provides clear, practical insight for parent carers, educators and professionals supporting children with additional needs.

Topics covered include:

• What CVI is and how it affects the way the brain processes visual information
• How common CVI is among children with vision impairment
• When parents or professionals might first notice signs that something is not typical
• Medical conditions and disabilities that are often associated with CVI
• Early indicators that may suggest a child has CVI
• The first steps to take if CVI is suspected
• What the diagnostic process involves
• How long a diagnosis can take
• What typically happens once a diagnosis is made
• The practical and emotional impact of a CVI diagnosis on a child and their family
• What support is available following diagnosis
• Practical day to day strategies parents and carers can use at home
• How schools and education settings can adapt to better support children with CVI
• What the future might look like for a child growing up with CVI

This episode aims to bring clarity and reassurance to families who may be at the beginning of their journey, as well as to professionals who want to deepen their understanding of CVI and how best to respond.

In this episode of Focus In, host Cameron Mills is joined by Catherine Scott Baker, Principal of InFocus College, to explore The Power of Specialist Colleges and the role they can play in supporting young people with additional needs.

The conversation unpacks what specialist colleges actually are, who they are best suited to, and how they differ from mainstream post-school options. Catherine shares insight drawn from extensive experience in specialist education, offering clarity and reassurance for families and professionals navigating post-16 and post-19 pathways.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• What defines a specialist college and how it operates
• Why specialist colleges are so important for young people with additional needs
• Which students tend to thrive in specialist college environments
• How the application and admissions process works in practice
• How specialist colleges prepare young people for adulthood and greater independence
• What a specialist college curriculum typically includes, and how it differs from mainstream provision
• How specialist colleges fit within the wider post-school education landscape
• What specialist colleges can offer that mainstream settings often can’t
• The impact specialist education can have on confidence, skills and long-term outcomes
• Day and residential provision, and how residential education can support learning and independence
• Addressing common family anxieties around residential education
• A real-life example of a former student who has flourished after leaving InFocus College
• Advice for families currently exploring post-school options
• The transformation often seen from arrival to leaving college
• How families’ perspectives change as they see their young person progress

This episode is designed to support parent/carers, educators and professionals who want a clearer understanding of specialist colleges and the opportunities they can offer young people with SEND and vision impairment.

For more information on InFocus College