Independent Living Skills (ILS)
At Gower College Swansea, our Independent Living Skills (ILS) curriculum is designed to help you build the skills, confidence, and independence needed for a successful future.
Whether your goal is to lead a more independent life, access employment opportunities, or contribute to your local community, our ILS programmes are tailored to support your journey. We focus on developing communication, employability, and life skills, while also promoting health, wellbeing, and community involvement.
You’ll follow one of our three courses below depending on your needs and future goals.
Who are these courses for?
Our ILS programmes are designed for learners progressing from specialist schools or specialist resource bases, typically with an Individual Development Plan (IDP) or equivalent statutory document.
What will you learn?
All learners follow an individualised programme aligned with their personal goals and targets. Learning takes place both in the classroom and the community.
Each programme focuses on:
- Independent Living Skills
- Health and Wellbeing
- Employability
- Community Participation.
This is a non-accredited curriculum however there is potential to complete specific accreditation dependent on need. Your progress will be supported and tracked throughout the year via progress days and your achievements will be recognised and celebrated at an end-of-year awards ceremony.
Roots
Our Roots course is dedicated to supporting learners in building essential life skills and confidence to live as independently as possible.
Through a personalised, person-centred approach, we help learners develop practical skills, self-awareness and social confidence, empowering them to grow at their own pace in a nurturing environment.
Journey to Progression
With Journey to Progression, we support and develop individuals on their unique journeys toward independence, employment or successful progression.
Guided by destination-led learning, we empower each student to explore, grow and achieve their aspirations through personalised support and development.
Inclusive Futures
Inclusive Futures is designed to inspire learners to take meaningful steps toward greater independence and confidence. Through a personalised approach, we focus on developing practical life skills that prepare learners for real-world challenges.
Alongside a tailored curriculum, and with the option of integrated or stand-alone literacy and numeracy, learners can acquire the skills and confidence needed to transition into supported employment, further education, or independent work. This course provides a nurturing environment where individuals can explore opportunities and achieve their goals.
Steps
To be eligible for our Steps programme, learners will have attended a course within the ILS department for at least one year.
The curriculum is fully individualised to meet the specific goals, aspirations and needs of each learner, ensuring that all learning aligns with their personal targets and destinations. Through a person-centred approach, the course aims to guide and support learners to make progress towards their targets which are determined by the following destinations: employment, supported internship, or mainstream Level one courses.
Supported Internship Programme
Our Supported Internship Programme is designed for post-16 learners with additional learning needs in their final year of College.
The programme is person centred, focusing on individual learner destinations and supporting their transition from College into employment. Learners will be primarily based in the workplace, where they will develop essential employability skills through real-world experience.
For more information please contact: ils@gcs.ac.uk
Featured news
Graduation marks another year of growth, achievement and new beginnings
This summer, five learners from ILS celebrated the completion of a life-changing supported internship programme at Amazon’s only Welsh fulfilment centre in Swansea.
The graduation event marked the culmination of a year of hard work, growth and collaboration, supported through the DFN Project Search and Inclusive Futures Pathway.
Luke, Ed, Will, Leo and Josh spent the academic year undertaking an onsite supported internship designed to prepare them for the world of work. In partnership with Amazon, DFN Project Search and Gower College Swansea, the internship offered a unique blend of classroom-based learning and real-world work experience.
The impact of the programme was clear to see, not only in the confidence and professionalism of the graduating students, but also in their remarkable progression.
Amazon Swansea has now confirmed that three of the graduates - Ed, Luke and Will - have been offered permanent roles in their busy Customer Returns department.
Unforgettable adventures
In June 2025, eight courageous and determined students from our ILS department set off on an unforgettable adventure as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, swapping classrooms for campfires and routine for resilience as they embarked on a residential camping trip in the stunning surroundings of Penmaen, Gower.
Organised by ALAM Matthew Jones and supported by an incredible team of dedicated staff - Michelle Williams, Sarah Leakey, Camilla Khassouani, Christina Palmer, Lisa Mitchell and Jo McClean - the expedition was a celebration of independence, teamwork, and personal growth.
From touch to triumph
From the classroom to the international rugby pitch, Tomos Rees has once again proven that dedication, resilience and belief can take you further than you ever imagined.
Making his World Cup debut in Spain this summer with Glads RFC, Tomos proudly represented his team at the International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament and delivered an incredible performance that left a lasting impression on players, coaches, and spectators alike.
Having started the 2024/25 season as a touch rugby player, Tomos took a bold leap into contact rugby, and what a debut season it’s been! With grit and determination, he not only held his own on the international stage but exceeded all expectations, scoring an incredible four tries in just five games.
It’s a result that speaks volumes about his athleticism, growth and passion for the game. Well done Tomos!