Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Practical issues Returning to education Returning to education after brain injury Returning to education after brain injury can be a great way of acquiring the skills and qualifications necessary to return to employment. Studying can also provide pleasure and a sense of purpose, even for those who might not be able to return to work. Reasons for returning to education include: Improving knowledge and skills Gaining qualifications Increasing your confidence Meeting new people Finding out what you can do and what you need help with Returning to full-time courses can be hard after brain injury, as learning new information is often more difficult. Part-time courses are often the best way to start if you have not been in education for a while. Sources of help and support There are a number of sources of help and advice available to help you get back into education. Local college Learning Support Advisor It is a good idea to discuss the options before deciding what course to do, especially if you have a new career in mind. Spending time finding out if the course is suitable for you is worth it in the long run. If you are considering a course at a local college, ask to be put in touch with the Learning Support Advisor. The advisor’s job is to help people who may experience problems and they are often extremely helpful and knowledgeable about strategies to use. They can advise on suitable courses and any support that is available. They can also help you to access services provided to help people find the correct classroom, develop systems for getting organised, get help with note-taking and receive extra time in exams. Tutors When starting a course it is useful to meet with the tutors and tell them about your injury and how it has affected you. They will often be able to provide extra help, such as providing handouts so you don’t have to take notes, giving you advanced preparation for future study and allowing extra time for assignments. Learn Direct and the Open University These organisations provide a wide range of online courses which may be suitable for those who have difficulty attending college. They are very supportive of students with disabilities and people on benefits can often get reduced course fees, or even free courses. Skill National Bureau for Students with Disabilities – Charity that provides a range of support services to help people with all kinds of disabilities to study (see ‘Useful Organisations’ for contact details). Financial support There are a number of options available to get help with the costs of studying. Colleges often have discretionary funds that you can apply for and your local college will be able to tell you about any help they can provide. There are a number of government grants and loans available, such as: Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) Care to Learn The Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme The Free Childcare for Training and Learning for Work scheme Dance and Drama Awards The Residential Support Scheme for people studying away from home Professional and Career Development Loans Residential Support Scheme Fifty Plus In-Work Training Grant Individual Learning Account (Wales and Scotland only) The availability of these funds varies in different areas of the UK and Channel Islands. Returning to work Find out more Rehabilitation Find out more In your area Find brain injury support in your area by searching our directory of local Headway groups and branches, specialist solicitors, approved care providers and charity shops. Find out more Related resources Disabled Students Helpline Grants and bursaries for adult learners Returning to education after brain injury Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings