Essential Skills Award

Underpinning all Mencap's education and employment services for people with a learning disability is the Essential Skills Award (ESA).

Developed by Mencap National College, the award is for over 16s who wish to develop their essential skills in communication, literacy and numeracy, to enable them to lead more fulfilling lives.

The ESA resource pack provides a complete, practical framework and materials for this self-moderating award which can be offered in day or residential settings, full- or part-time. There is no individual learner registration cost.

Introductory level 1 is for people who want to learn skills to give them more independence and more opportunities to participate in activities:

• following simple routines
• behaving appropriately
• taking care of belongings
• making choices.

Introductory level 2 is about learning to be more independent and take more responsibility:

• maintaining simple routines and learning more complex ones
• identifying problems and seeking help
• altering behaviour to suit different situations
• initiating communication and responding appropriately.

Introductory level 3 is for learners who want a programme to prepare them for living with relative independence. This might include continuing education such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 1. Skills developed include:

• managing time
• making decisions
• anticipating danger
• helping others.

Who to contact 

If you would like to talk to Mencap about the Essential Skills award, please please contact Mencap Direct on 0300 333 1111.