A PARTNERSHIP between an East Lancashire college and an NHS foundation trust which provides treatment for people with learning disabilities and complex needs has been nominated for a national award.

Accrington and Rossendale College has been working closely with the Mersey Care site in Whalley, formerly Calderstones, which is run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The partners have been nominated in the category of Specialist Services in the National Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards 2017.

With the help of Accrington and Rossendale College, the specialist learning disability division at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust developed a recovery college named Our Shared College which teaches life skills to people with a learning disability who are detained under the Mental Health Act.

Paul Allen, the college's vocational rehabilitation instructor, said: "Mersey Care supports some of the most complex and vulnerable individuals in the NHS.

"Often with a forensic history, we support people on a pathway towards taking their place in the community. We support people in partnership to enable improvements in life skills and I am proud of the partnership with the college."

Working in partnership with Accrington Rossendale College, college leaders devised a programme to attract new learners and boost numbers. It is based on enabling the experience of attending a community college as a student. The programme emphasised areas such as organisation, homework, attendance on time and other experiences enjoyed in a conventional college environment.

Francesca Cairns, senior operational manager in the Trust, said: "We already know how the people we care for benefit from the college courses as they progress towards returning to living in the community with accredited qualifications to support employment in the future.

"To be recognised by this national shortlisting is a great acknowledgement of their hard work, and the close working of our colleagues and our friends at Accrington and Rossendale College."

The programme provided its students with themed awards in English and Maths and benefited 20 learners.

Charlotte Scheffmann, Dean of Education at Accrington Rossendale College, said: "The skill of developing a course of this nature is entirely down to the real life experience of our tutors. It is vitally important for young learners to gain real-life experiences which will help them excel in their chosen field. We are very proud of this nomination and it is testament to all the hard work which has gone into the programme."

Judging of the nominations will take place at the Hilton Blackpool on October 12.