Post 16 Support

It is important that young people start to think about their aspirations as early as possible. From year 9 at the latest, local authorities (LA's) should help young people (and their parents and carers) to start planning for a successful transition to adulthood. Consideration should be given to any further education or training that will enable young people to secure paid work, or other opportunities for a positive adult life.

Young people should be supported to exercise choice and control over their lives, including the 4 ‘preparing for adulthood’ outcomes:

moving into paid employment and higher education
independent living
having friends and relationships and being part of their communities
being as healthy as possible

More information on the 4 ‘preparing for adulthood’ outcomes can be found in chapter 8 of the SEND Code of Practice.

Young People’s Rights at 16

Under the Special Educational Needs (SEN) system, a child becomes a young person on the last Friday in June after they turn 16. All children and young people have the right to have their views taken into consideration about decisions that affect them.

A young person has rights separate from their parents. A young person can:

Ask for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Assessment any time before their 25th birthday.
Make decisions about the support in their EHCP.
Ask for a personal budget.
Appeal directly to tribunal about a decision relating to an EHC assessment or a plan.

The Council for Disabled Children have produced a video explaining what an Educational, Health and Care Plan is.

Mental Capacity

It is assumed that a young person has this right unless they lack the mental capacity to make a specific decision. A person has mental capacity if they can:

Understand the information given to them.
Remember it.
Use and weigh up the information to make a decision.
Communicate their decision.

An animated guide to the Mental Capacity Act produced for the Dorset County Council Mental Capacity Act team. The guide explains the key principles in an easy to understand form.

Young people must have access to independent support to make decisions and communicate their views, if they want this. Cumberland Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities Informaton Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) can give you information on independent support.

If a young person does not have the mental capacity to make a particular decision about their education, the expectation is that a parent/carer will do this on their behalf, except where the courts have appointed a deputy.

Parent/carers can continue to support young people if they are happy for them to do this. Even if a young person can make some choices independently, they may still need help from a parent/carer in other ways.

For example, they might need support with form filling or exploring course options.

What Are the Options After 16?

A young person can legally leave school at the end of the school year in which they turn 16 (normally the end of year 11). However, all young people must be in some kind of education or training until the age of 18. They can combine this with paid or voluntary work.

Post 16 options for young people with SEN:

Stay at current mainstream school for sixth form - school should continue to give young people extra help for SEN if they need it.
Mainstream further education (FE) colleges - young people should receive advice about suitable courses in good time to make the right decision. Mainstream FE colleges support students with SEN in a similar way to schools. Colleges should not refuse to admit a young person who has SEN but doesn’t have an EHCP. You can read more about how mainstream FE colleges should support young people with SEN in the SEND code of Practice.
Specialist FE colleges - a specialist FE college provides education for young people with SEN only. A young person would need an EHCP to go to a specialist college. A young person or their parent/carers can ask the LA to name a specialist college in their EHCP following the annual review. Cumberland SEND IASS can give you information and advice on requesting a specialist FE college.
Apprenticeships - are open to young people over 16 with or without EHCP. They can lead to qualifications from General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level up to degree or diploma level. Apprenticeship providers receive funding for all young people, and the amount is more for a young person with an EHCP. You can search for an apprenticeship.
Traineeships - are programmes that helps young people gain skills to get a job or apprenticeship. It includes work experience and study. Traineeships are unpaid and usually last for 6 months or less. The programme is aimed at young people between 16-24, with or without an EHCP, who have qualifications below level 3. Young people who do not have GCSE grade C or above in Maths and English will need to work towards this. You can search for a traineeship at gov.uk/find-traineeship. More information on traineeships should be available from your local FE college.
Supported internship - this is a workplace training and study programme open to young people with EHCP aged between 16 to 24. It is unpaid, based mainly at an employer and lasts for at least 6 months. The aim is to enable the intern to take up paid employment at the end of the internship, which could be with the same employer. The intern follows a personalised programme. This includes on the job training and support from a work coach. It could also include studying for qualifications such as Maths and English, if appropriate. A young person would usually need to apply to a supported internship through an FE college. The college will have links with suitable employers who can offer placements. Visit NDTI webinar on supported internships for more information.
Individually-tailored education - education does not have to lead to qualifications or employment. It isn’t necessary for young people to be studying for a certain number of hours, be on an accredited course, or progressing towards formal qualifications. A young person can still have an EHC plan without these, as long as they are doing some form of education or training. It can include small steps in progress towards learning a particular skill, such as communication. Some young people are not able to access formal settings, such as a college. Alternative provision, such as home-based tuition or therapy, may be appropriate. This might be if a young person has been out of formal education for a long time and would struggle to return to a college setting, or if they have very severe and complex needs. The local authority might fund such provision for a young person with an EHC plan if they agree this is the only way to meet their special educational needs. Cumberland SEND IASS can give you information and advice on requesting individually tailored education.