Supporting Learners with Additional Barriers to Learning in Cognassist

Everyone learns differently, and not every learning barrier shows up via our cognitive assessment. With Cognassist's updated workflow, tutors can now record, track, and address previously known barriers - whether they're from an EHCP, an outside diagnosis, or a learner's own declaration.

Here's a hands-on guide to using this new feature from start to finish.

How to Capture Additional Barriers to Learning

Cognassist expands the way you identify and support learners with additional needs, bringing together cognitive results, tutor insight, and learner feedback. Let's walk through the steps to access these features, capture new information, and ensure every learner gets their unique support plan.

Step 1: Open Your Learner List

Start from the learner list, where all your learners appear. This is your central area to manage learner profiles.

Step 2: Select a Learner's Profile

Choose the learner you want to work with - like Amaka, by clicking their profile.

Step 3: Access the Tutor Report

Open the Tutor Report for the learner by clicking the review tab.

Step 4: Explore the New Tutor Report Layout

Notice the redesigned Tutor Report with an updated contents section on the right for quick navigation. An introduction now appears at the top, confirming if the learner's assessment is complete and explaining where to capture additional barriers.

Step 5: Record Additional Known Barriers

Click the next button to go to the "Previously Known Learning Barriers" page. Here, check off any barriers your learner has shared or that you know about (like autism, ADHD etc).

Step 6: Review and Save Barriers

Barriers are grouped for clarity—neurodiversity, mental health, behavioural needs, and more. Select relevant items and save.

Step 7: Check Assessment Results and Adjust Visibility

Move to the cognitive assessment results. Review indexes and domain scores, strengths, and speed of working. Use the eye icon in the contents menu to toggle what's shown in Presentation Mode.

Step 8: Explore Reasonable Adjustments

Continue to the Reasonable Adjustments section. Here, Cognassist automatically recommends strategies tailored to the recorded barriers—such as ADHD or autism. View all recommendations under the 'All Adjustments' tab.

Step 9: Review Detailed Strategies

Scroll to see linked adjustments for the selected barriers. Expand each to view practical examples and explanations—aligned to Ofsted's "3Is," offering the same level of detail as our existing domain adjustments.

Step 10: Assign Adjustments to the Learner

Pick the most appropriate support options and assign them to the learner's plan using the "assign" button. Assigned items now appear on the "for learner" tab.

Step 11: Finish Initial Review

Once you have selected the relevant adjustments, you're now set up ahead of conducting the needs assessment with the learner.

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Using Presentation Mode to Conduct Needs Assessment

Step 1: Start Needs Assessment with Presentation Mode

Enter Presentation Mode when you're ready to guide a learner through their profile and discuss support. Click Get Started to display previously selected barriers.

Step 2: Check and Update Barriers During the Meeting

If no barriers were marked earlier, the system encourages the learner to declare any additional needs now. If the learner identifies new issues, use the update button to adjust their profile on the spot.

Step 3: Walk Through Results and Adjustments

Continue through cognitive results, then review recommended adjustments. Discuss with the learner to ensure all assigned strategies suit their situation. You can amend the adjustments using the "Assign" and "Unassign" buttons.

Step 4: Complete and Export the Tutor Report

When finished, end the session and download the full Tutor Report. This export includes all selected adjustments—whether for cognitive domains or previously known barriers—providing a detailed support record.

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Recording Barriers for Learners Without a Cognitive Assessment

Step 1: Open the Unassessed Learner's Profile

For learners who have not yet completed the Cognassist Cognitive Assessment, go to their report space as usual.

Step 2: Record Known Barriers

Select any declared learning barriers, then save your choices.

Step 3: Assign Adjustments Based on Barriers

In the Reasonable Adjustments section, assign relevant adjustments. If course details are available, recommendations are tailored further.

Step 4: Conduct a Structured Needs Meeting

Invite the learner to a needs assessment meeting where you can use the presentation mode update their record, and walk through any adjustments together.

Even without assessment results, you can run your meeting just as you would for fully assessed learners.

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Conclusion

With these workflow updates, Cognassist makes it easier for tutors to support every learner—whether or not they've completed the cognitive assessment. By recording all barriers, automatically linking them to tailored adjustments, and providing clear, downloadable reports, tutors have the tools to deliver precise, Ofsted-ready support that meets every learner's needs.