We use cookies on this website. Cookies store information that allow us to improve our website and your browsing experience. By clicking agree and close or continuing to use this site (without changing your settings), you agree to our use of cookies To find out more about cookies (and to change your settings), please see our Privacy Policy.

Agree and close
Back
For Adults

Find the right support near you

Find support
For Adults Great Communities Residential Vacancies Day Opportunities Employment Registered Care Shared Lives Supported Living
For Children

Find the right support near you

Find support
For Children Academies Further Education MacIntyre School Residential Support Supported Living Transition
Our Approach

Find the right support near you

Find support
Our Approach Families Great Interactions Health and Safety Intensive Interaction Person Centred Approaches Positive Behaviour Support Safeguarding Voice of the people we support
Our Expertise

Find the right support near you

Find support
Our Expertise Autism Dementia Communication Health Learning Disability Transforming Care Resources
Get Involved

Find the right support near you

Find support
Get Involved Corporate Support MacIntyre Lottery Wills and Legacies FAQ
Careers
Careers Work for us Current Vacancies 10 best things about MacIntyre Employee Benefits How to apply How to write an effective CV Recruitment FAQs Safer Recruitment Students and Graduates Volunteer Working in Wales
News & Blogs
Events
Donate Search

A new way of learning

1 April 2019
News

At MacIntyre, we know that a person’s interests are a vital part of their personality and can impact how they learn. For *George, a MacIntyre No Limits student, the key to success was utilising his love of cartoons.

Before George joined MacIntyre No Limits, our personalised education programme, he found traditional educational settings challenging. Loud noises and sharing space with others caused George to feel stressed. In response, he would cause damage to his surroundings.

To help him to manage his behaviour, George had been responding to a reward chart. The aim of this was to reinforce positive behaviour when out in the community and keep him safe.

When George moved to MacIntyre No Limits, staff continued to adopt the reward chart. But, this changed once staff returned from PBS training. Here the team learned that the chart may, in fact, be too restrictive.

For staff, this came as a shock. What they thought was supporting George may have been having an adverse effect. Immediately, staff decided it was best to leave the decision in George's hands.

“We returned from training and spoke to George, apologising for imposing the chart on him. We suggested that we remove it from his routine, but George opposed this. He understood why we had introduced it and suggested that he adopt it for himself.”

Taking ownership of the chart had a huge impact on George's behaviour for the better. What began as a chart to track his behaviour, became a reflection of his thoughts and feelings. By creating his own consequences, George felt empowered.

With George's behaviour continuing to improve, staff explored ways to keep him focused. The solution? His love for cartoons, iPads, toy cars and bottle lids.

For staff, it was time to get creative. Drawing upon George's love of cartoons, they began to construct their own comics. Luckily for George, a member of staff had a particular talent for drawing. He began to draw characters George adored alongside empty speech bubbles. Leaving these boxes empty encouraged communication and inspired George to complete tasks.

Staff also found that George was fond of plush toys, and used these to re-focus his attention.

As a result of personalising his learning, George bloomed.

Since then, George has made considerable progress. He has developed independence and completed work experience at a local internet café.

Reflecting on George progress, staff said:

"George is a wonderful young man with a great sense of humour and a desire to do well in everything he attempts. He has shown that he capable of working."

To find out more about MacIntyre No Limits, please contact [javascript protected email address].

*Names have been changed.

More about Further Education

Further Education

We work in partnership with Further Education and Independent Specialist colleges to provide an inclusive and flexible model of education for young people.

Find Out More
10 Dec 2020
News

Finding the right team: Grace’s Story

With support from the team at MacIntyre No Limits, over three years Grace has developed her independence and is now proud to be taking control of her…

Find Out More
13 Nov 2020
News

Dale’s big win

Dale Owen, who is supported by MacIntyre, has been named 'Upcoming Male Artist' at the Milton Keynes Inspiration Awards 2020.

Find Out More
26 Nov 2018
Blog post

The Challenge

It has been a hardworking and very successful year for at the Life Skills Centre. So the big question was how do we bring this amazing year to an end?…

Find Out More
Important Links
Working Safely in Offices Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy Statement
Talk to us
Find Support Near You MacInStars Employee of the Month Shops Contact Us About us
Newsletter
Our Newsletter
Connect with us
Registered Charity No. 250840

602 South Seventh Street
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK9 2JA
© 2021 MacIntyre. All rights reserved Data Protection and Privacy Policy
Made by Grandad