This section provides resources for students who have AEN.
Throughout the academic year, the Learning Support Team have appointments with students with AEN which focus on the following areas:
- Organisation, time and self management skills
- Note-taking skills and assistive technology
- How to make the most out of assistive technology
- Reading and writing skills
- Exam study skills

The Learning Hub
What is the Learning Hub?
The Learning Hub is the central support area for all students.
All students can avail of support in the following areas:
-
How to read an assignment brief
-
How to approach academic writing
-
Learning English as a second/other language
-
How to research and reference in your assignments
-
How to undertake Maths as part of your studies
-
How to use Moodle, Office and OneDrive to assist in your studies
-
General IT Support
-
Approaches to help you with time management
-
Exam study skills
Click to book an appointment with The Learning Hub
Access Office
Some students may have educational and medical needs that impact upon their academic studies. These students should register with the Access Office based in the Learning Hub building.
Students who have been previously formally assessed (through Educational Psychologists, Consultants, Occupational Therapists, Neurologists or Specialist Registrars etc.) are automatically registered with the Access Office once a needs assessment is carried out.
Students without a formal assessment but who previously had a spelling and grammar waiver, can talk with the Learning Hub team about booking a free Dyslexia Adult Screening Test.
The aim of Learning Hub support is to:
-
Empower all students to self-manage their study skills
-
Support for students registered as having an educational need (learning need and/or medical condition)
-
Providing reasonable accommodations for registered students with additional needs.
Click to book an appointment with the Access Office
ESOL – English as a Second/Other Language
ESOL (English as a Second/Other Language) is aimed at the increasing numbers of international students seeking to study at English-speaking colleges of further and higher education.
In DCFE, our ESOL support aims to:
-
Help in the development of student’s written and spoken English to benefit their academic studies here in DCFE.
-
Equip students with the essential study skills and knowledge needed to be aware of their own learning through the medium of English, allowing them to fully engage in studies and assessment procedures in their chosen subject areas.
Click to book an appointment for Language Support
Our Sensory Room
Our sensory room is available for students who wish to have a quiet space for some rest and relaxation. The sensory room can be booked through the Bookings application.
Click here to book time in our Sensory Room
Ulreeka, our Community Support Dog
Ulreeka, our DCFE Community Support Dog
What is a community dog?
Community Dogs support adults or children with autism or different individual needs.
Community Dogs work in a range of community settings & facilities (including schools, care facilities & therapy rooms)
Ulreeka handlers are Catherine Joyce & Emer Cloak and are based over in the Learning Hub.
They are trained and approved by IGDB & assessed by ADI.
Click here to book a session with Ulreeka
Meet our Learning Hub Support Team

Catherine Joyce
Educational Support Coordinator

Aoife O’Dwyer
ESOL Coordinator DAST Testing

Sinead Rooney
Personal Assistant

Carla Joyce
Personal Assistant

Ulreeka
DCFE Community Dog