Inside Inclusive Education NI: What Actually Works!

Every day in the Skills for Life & Work (SFLW) programme at Usel, I am reminded that when you slow down and adapt to the needs of each young person, you begin to see talents they never knew they had and sometimes talents we never expected either.

Working with our learners is not just a job. It is a privilege. Because behind every additional need, barrier, and moment of self-doubt, there is a young person with extraordinary potential waiting to be unlocked.

So Much More Than a Label!

Too often, young people with additional needs are seen through the lens of what they can’t do. But inside Usel’s classrooms, filming suite and corridors, we see something different. We see singers, leaders, problem-solvers, comedians, thinkers, friends, and future employees with skills that enrich workplaces and communities.

When we take the time to truly know them, not rush them, pre-judge them, or speak for them, something special happens. They begin to trust us and that is when their strengths start to shine through.

Patience does not mean we are Passive!

Being patient doesn’t mean ‘ignoring challenging behaviours’, it means giving young people the safety to move at their own pace. It is celebrating every step forward, no matter how small and understanding that the journey from “I can’t” to “I did” looks different for every learner.

• One day it’s a learner speaking up in class for the first time.

• Another day it’s someone managing their anxiety long enough to complete a task.

• Another day still, it’s a young person discovering they can tie their shoelaces, sing, cook, create, or chase a dream job they never thought was possible.

Progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes the quietest moments make the biggest impact!

Adaptability Is the Real Inclusion

At Usel, inclusion is not a box-ticking exercise. It’s our way of working and the constant willingness to change our approach until it fits the learner, not the other way around.

Some days that means:

     Changing how a lesson is delivered

     Meeting a young person where their emotions are

     Turning a challenge into a learning opportunity

     Or simply offering a safe space for someone to breathe and reset

When you shift your mindset from “They need to fit the system” to “The system needs to fit them,” everything changes!

Listening Opens Doors

The biggest breakthroughs often come from the smallest conversations.

1. A learner sharing how nervous they feel before a work placement.

2. A young person telling you they want to try something new but are afraid to fail.

3. A moment where you sit together, listen without judgement, and let them lead the way.

When a young person feels heard, really heard, their confidence grows, their willingness to try grows and their belief in themselves grows!

A Programme Built Around People

The SFLW programme works because it centres the person, not the perceived limitation. It is built on relationships, trust, creativity, and compassion.

Our young people are not just participants, they are the heart of this programme. We learn as much from them as they learn from us. They remind us daily that ability comes in countless forms, and that potential can't be measured by exams, labels or stereotypes.

Our Young People Are Amazing And They Deserve to Be Seen

If there's one message I want people to take from this blog, it’s this:

With the right support, every young person has something incredible to contribute.