Specialist care and education provider Cambian Group has acquired Mencap’s further education colleges.
Cambian has acquired Lufton College in Yeovil, Pengwern College in Rhyl and Dilston College in Newcastle from Mencap. They provide specialised environments that support young people with learning disabilities, autism, profound and multiple learning disabilities and complex health and behavioural needs. Learners at the colleges are supported to access person-centred learning programmes incorporating vocational learning, practical life skills development and therapeutic support.
The colleges are Education Funding Agency or Welsh Assembly Government funded and offer flexible placements including up to 52-week residential and day services. The colleges support up to 280 learners.
This deal sees Cambian enter this part of the sector for the first time. Cambian has said it is committed to ensuring the colleges remain leading providers of further education for young people with learning disabilities and complex needs. They will also benefit from an enhanced support network and additional investment in areas including facilities and accommodation.
Stephen Bradshaw, managing director of Cambian’s education services, said: “The alignment in values between the colleges and Cambian, and our shared commitment to providing outstanding care and education to young people were core to the acquisition. We will seek to learn from the new capability that the colleges bring to the Group and ensure their best practices are translated into other key services.
“This acquisition further extends our education and care provision for young people with specialist needs and cements our position as the leading provider of specialist services in education, mental health rehabilitation and learning disabilities.”
