1️⃣ Module Introduction
This module explains how Dyscalculia affects money skills, daily living, and independence.
It includes:
Managing cash and coins
Cards and spending
Giving and receiving change
Workplace and customer barriers
Transport and service access issues
Trust, safety, and safeguarding
This module uses real-life experiences to help learners understand the reality of living with Dyscalculia.
2️⃣ What is Dyscalculia?
Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty affecting how a person understands and processes numbers.
It is sometimes described as:
“Number blindness.”
A person may struggle with:
Counting
Calculations
Money
Time
Bills
Budgets
It is not about intelligence — it is about number processing.
3️⃣ Hidden Disability & Public Pressure
Dyscalculia is often invisible.
This means:
Others may not understand the difficulty
People may appear slow with money
Queues can cause stress
Staff or customers may become impatient
Processing numbers takes longer, especially under pressure.
4️⃣ Cash & Coin Difficulties
People with Dyscalculia may struggle to:
Count large amounts of coins
Separate coin values
Calculate totals
Give correct change
Large quantities of mixed coins increase confusion.
5️⃣ Real-Life Experience Example
Some learners describe taking coins to the bank to be counted.
Barriers experienced include:
Banks saying it takes too long
Staff reluctance when queues are busy
Feeling rushed or embarrassed
Being told to go elsewhere
Even when help is available, time pressure can create stress.
6️⃣ Coin Machines — Not Always Accessible
Supermarkets may offer coin counting machines.
However, barriers include:
Transport difficulties
Distance from services
Mobility or disability needs
Cost of travel
Reliance on family support
Loss of support networks (bereavement, etc.)
What seems accessible may not be reachable.
7️⃣ Cards vs Cash
Cards can reduce stress because:
No change calculation
Automatic totals
Digital tracking
But risks include:
Overspending
Difficulty reading statements
Not knowing if in debt
Both systems have challenges.
8️⃣ Workplace & Shop Support
Support strategies include:
Accessible till sheets
Step-by-step guides
Manager support if stuck
No embarrassment culture
Mistakes happen — support reduces anxiety.
9️⃣ Safety as a Customer
Dyscalculia can make it hard to:
Check bills
Confirm totals
Know if change is correct
Support strategies:
Use receipts
Double-check totals
Ask for assistance
🔟 Trust & Safeguarding
When others help manage money, trust is essential.
Important safeguards:
Background / police checks
Vetted support workers
Financial monitoring
Protection from exploitation
This protects independence and safety.
1️⃣1️⃣ Key Messages
Dyscalculia affects money processing
It is a hidden disability
Public pressure increases mistakes
Access barriers are real
Support must be respectful
Trust and safeguarding are essential
Module Questions
Knowledge Check
What is Dyscalculia sometimes called?
Name three money skills affected by Dyscalculia.
Why can queues increase stress?
Why are large amounts of coins difficult?
What barriers can occur when using banks?
Why are coin machines not always accessible?
Give one benefit of using cards.
Give one risk of using cards.
Why are workplace supports important?
Why are background checks necessary?
Scenario Questions
1. A customer takes longer counting coins.
How should staff respond?
2. A support worker manages someone’s money.
What safeguarding steps should be in place?
3. A person cannot travel to a coin machine.
What alternative support could help?
Reflection Questions
How might impatience affect someone with Dyscalculia?
Why is money independence important?
How can services become more accessible?
End of Module
Module: Dyscalculia — Money Support in the Home
For Support Workers, Carers & Independent Living Staff
1️⃣ Module Introduction
This module is designed for people supporting individuals with Dyscalculia in:
Supported living
Independent housing
Residential care
Outreach or community support
Home visits
It is especially relevant where a person has:
Little or no family support
Limited financial understanding
Reliance on staff for budgeting or bills
The aim is to support safety, independence, and dignity.
2️⃣ Understanding Dyscalculia
Dyscalculia is a learning difficulty affecting how a person processes numbers.
It is sometimes called:
“Number blindness.”
A person may struggle with:
Counting money
Understanding totals
Paying bills
Giving or receiving change
Budgeting
Tracking spending
It is not about intelligence — it is about number processing.
3️⃣ Why Home Support Matters
People living independently may need help with:
Rent payments
Utility bills
Food shopping
Budget planning
Banking
Without support, they may:
Overspend
Miss bill payments
Run out of food
Become vulnerable to debt
Support protects wellbeing and stability.
4️⃣ Cash Management at Home
Common difficulties:
Counting coins
Sorting money
Understanding value
Calculating totals
Support strategies:
Use labelled money trays
Count together step-by-step
Use visual value charts
Keep receipts
5️⃣ Bills & Budgeting Support
Staff may help with:
Opening and explaining bills
Setting up direct debits
Budget planners
Priority spending charts
Focus on essentials first:
Rent
Utilities
Food
Medication
6️⃣ Access Barriers
Real-life barriers include:
Banks refusing large coin counting
Feeling rushed in queues
Limited local services
Transport difficulties
Reliance on family who may not be available
Support workers may need to:
Assist with transport
Arrange alternative banking
Advocate with services
7️⃣ Cards vs Cash Support
Cards — Benefits
No change calculation
Easier transactions
Digital records
Cards — Risks
Overspending
Not understanding balances
Monthly statements confusion
Staff may monitor balances respectfully.
8️⃣ Safeguarding & Trust
Support staff may handle or oversee money.
This creates responsibility.
Safeguards include:
Police / background checks
Financial recording systems
Dual-signature processes
Receipts for all spending
Trust is essential — exploitation must be prevented.
9️⃣ Protecting Independence
Support should:
Encourage choice
Avoid taking full control unnecessarily
Teach skills step-by-step
Respect dignity
The goal is supported independence, not dependence.
🔟 Key Practice Principles
Be patient — processing takes time
Avoid rushing in public settings
Use visual tools
Focus on essentials first
Monitor without controlling
Maintain safeguarding standards
Module Questions
Knowledge Questions
What is Dyscalculia sometimes called?
Name three money tasks staff may support with.
Why is budgeting support important?
Give one example of an access barrier.
Name one benefit and one risk of card use.
Why are background checks important?
Scenario Questions
1. A tenant struggles to pay bills on time.
What support could you provide?
2. A person overspends using their card.
How could you monitor respectfully?
3. A bank refuses to count large coin amounts.
What alternatives could staff explore?
Reflection
How can you protect independence while ensuring safety?
Why is patience essential in money support?
End of Module
Workplace Syllabus — Supporting Individuals with Dyscalculia
Home Support • Independent Living • Financial Safety
1️⃣ Purpose of This Syllabus
This syllabus outlines the knowledge, checks, and training required for staff who support individuals with Dyscalculia in:
Home support roles
Supported living
Outreach services
Residential care
Community independence programmes
It ensures staff work safely, ethically, and professionally.
2️⃣ Recruitment & Safety Checks
Staff must complete safeguarding checks before working with vulnerable individuals.
Required checks may include:
Police / Criminal Record Check
UK: DBS
USA: State/Federal Background Checks
Identity verification
Employment references
Right to work checks
These checks protect individuals from financial abuse, exploitation, or harm.
3️⃣ Core Training Requirements
Staff should receive training in:
Learning disabilities awareness
Dyscalculia awareness
Money management support
Budgeting guidance
Bill support systems
Financial recording procedures
Training ensures staff understand both the disability and the support needs.
4️⃣ Home Support Skills
Staff must be able to support with:
Shopping and budgeting
Paying bills
Organising receipts
Monitoring spending
Explaining financial information
Support should always promote independence where possible.
5️⃣ Independent Living Support
Key responsibilities include:
Ensuring rent is paid
Monitoring utilities
Supporting food budgeting
Preventing financial crisis
Staff should prioritise essentials before optional spending.
6️⃣ Communication Responsibilities
Staff must communicate appropriately with:
The individual
Parents (where involved)
Family members
Advocates
Social workers
Financial appointees
Communication must respect confidentiality and consent.
7️⃣ Safeguarding Responsibilities
Staff must follow safeguarding policies, including:
Reporting financial concerns
Monitoring unusual spending
Recording all transactions
Preventing exploitation
Following whistleblowing procedures
Failure to safeguard may result in disciplinary or legal action.
8️⃣ Trust & Ethical Practice
Staff handling money must:
Be honest and transparent
Keep receipts and records
Avoid conflicts of interest
Never borrow or take money
Follow financial handling policies
Trust is fundamental in support roles.
9️⃣ Dignity & Respect
Support must always maintain:
Privacy
Choice
Independence
Respectful communication
Individuals should never feel embarrassed about money difficulties.
🔟 Competency Checklist
Staff should be able to demonstrate:
✔️ Understanding of Dyscalculia
✔️ Safe money handling
✔️ Budget support skills
✔️ Knowledge of safeguarding
✔️ Professional communication
✔️ Ethical conduct
Assessment / Workplace Review
Employers may assess staff through:
Training completion
Supervision reviews
Financial audits
Safeguarding evaluations
Competency observations
End of Workplace Syllabus
That now finishes the Dyscalculia money & safety topic with:
-
Learner module
-
Home support module
-
Safeguarding content
-
Workplace syllabus / competency framework
A full professional package ✔️
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