Preparation for adulthood

Planning for the future
Post-16 education and employment
Independent living
Participating in society (community inclusion)
Health

Post-16 education and employment

Support at school to help prepare for adulthood

Schools provide support in lots of different ways to help the young person as they grow up. Their form tutor or the school SENDCo can discuss this.

If they are in a mainstream school, in Year 9 (age 13 – 14) young people generally choose the subjects that they are going to study in Years 10 and 11 (age 14 – 16). Usually these will be GCSE subjects.

You may want to talk to the school about other accredited qualification courses. Some education settings will also offer accredited qualifications at levels suitable to their pupils where appropriate.

Support for Exams

Some young people need extra help in exams, such as extra time, a smaller room to do the exam in or use of a laptop. These are called ‘Access Arrangements’. Access arrangements support young people with SEND or a temporary injury to do the exam without changing the demands of the assessment.

Some access arrangements can be given by a school or college that reflect the young person’s normal way of working, for example if they normally use a laptop to record their work in class. Access arrangements will usually have been in place for exams during Year 10.

Some access arrangements like extra time are given by exam boards and are based on the young person reaching certain thresholds in an assessment carried out by an official assessor.

Talk to the school SENDCo or Exams Officer who organise the arrangements if you need to find out more.

Exam access arrangements for pupils not attending a school or college

Children and young people who are home educated and wanting to take exams such as GCSEs or A-Levels may choose to do correspondence courses (such as IGCSEs) or enrol at a college or adult education centre. Any adjustments would need to be discussed with the exam centre or tutor/course provider.

Children or young people who receive education at somewhere other than at school or college through an EHC plan (sometimes called EOTAS) may have similar arrangements.

Careers Advice and Guidance

 Education settings have a legal duty to provide impartial careers advice and guidance to all young people from at least Year 8 (12 - 13 years of age). This must be adapted to the needs of pupils with SEND. Under the Equality Act (2010) this is called ‘Making reasonable adjustments’.

Schools should work with employers, housing agencies, disability organisations and arts and sports groups to help young people understand what their options are as they get older.

The young person’s current school should help advise and support the young person to explore the options and find suitable courses in good time to make the right decision.

As well as getting advice from the young person’s current school, information can be found on the National Careers Service website.

Prospects (part of Shaw Trust) provides the careers service for Northamptonshire, making sure young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) can access the guidance and support they need to progress.

Young Northamptonshire residents who are NEET are eligible for the service for two years after completing Year 11. Young people with an EHC Plan can access the service to age 25 and those leaving care to age 25.

Prospects help young people to make the right choices to move into further learning or employment.

If the young person has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) then this discussion and preparation should be part of their Annual Review from Year 9 onwards.

At every Annual Review, it is important to prepare for the next stage. It is good practice to start preparing for adulthood earlier than Year 9.

From Year 9 the Annual Review format will change to incorporate the 4 pathways:

Employment
Independent living
Community Inclusion
Health

Colleges/learning providers can be invited to annual reviews in Year 10 and 11 if the young person wants to attend a Post 16 provision. School can invite a college/learning provider to the annual review.

Education options at 16 and 18

There are a number of options for the young person to consider for after the school year that they turn 16 (year 11) and when they turn 18 (year 13). Preparation and planning for after the young person is 16 should start well before they reach this age.

A young person can legally leave school on the last Friday in June at the end of the school year in which they turn 16 (normally the end of year 11).

Education has a wide meaning after the age of 16.

Study programmes in education will usually include qualifications with an aim of moving into employment where possible. A personalised programme of small steps of learning towards a particular skill, such as communication or a social skill and preparation towards independent living are also key parts of education provision.

However, all young people must do one of the following until the age of 18:

stay in full time education, for example at school or college (full time study at Further Education (FE) college and learning providers are typically 16+ hours a week over 3 / 4 days)
start an apprenticeship or supported internship
start a study programme at a training provider
spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering while in part time education or training

Staying at school

The young person could stay on into Post 16 / sixth form at their current school if that school has post 16 provision or a sixth form that can offer the courses / provision that the young person wants and needs.

Alternatively, they could move to another school with a sixth form or post 16 educational provision. Staying in school may provide continued structure and stability for them if they are not quite ready to move on.

Mainstream Further Education (FE) colleges

Mainstream colleges offer lots of different courses and a range of qualifications to suit a range of levels of learning, for example:

academic courses such as GCSEs
apprenticeships
T Levels
vocational education programmes (such as BTECs)
'stepping stone' courses in Maths and English
study programmes (which will include work experience or work-related activities as appropriate).
'life skills' or “Foundation” courses to help young people prepare for adult life, work and participating in the community

Statutory duties on post-16 institutions

Further education settings and independent learning providers must make reasonable adjustments for all students with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

They also have a duty to use their best endeavours to secure the special educational provision that the young person needs.

This duty applies to further education colleges and sixth form colleges. Its purpose is to ensure that providers give the right support to their students with SEN. They must fulfil this duty for students with SEN whether the students have EHC plans or not. This duty applies in respect of students with an EHCP up to age 25 in further education.

Young people should be supported to participate in discussions about their aspirations, their needs, and the support that they think will help them best.

Support should be aimed at promoting student independence and enabling the young person to make good progress towards employment and/or higher education, independent living, good health and participating in the community.

Check the college/provider’s websites for information on the support that is available. You may find it helpful to look at their policy on the support they provide.

Cost

Young people over 19 without EHC plans can be charged tuition fees, depending on the type and level of course they’re studying. Learners on certain benefits may be exempt: check the college’s fee remission policy.

Certain courses may be free, for example basic maths, English or employment skills, or a first GCSE or A level course. A levels are part of the L3 legal entitlement list which means a 19 to 23 year-old, who does not possess a full L3, can study the A levels for free.

Colleges may be able to help point you in the direction of bursaries and financial support.

There is no cost if the young person has an EHC plan, if the course meets the outcomes in their EHC plan.

The young person’s needs and wishes are important. Courses need to match their interests and abilities. The young person’s current school can help to explore the options, and local providers will also be able to help the young person to decide.

They may have some smaller classes or special provision to support the young person to access the provision. It is worth having a look at courses and qualifications on offer at different providers and the support they provide for young people with additional needs before visiting.

If the young person has chosen a suitable college/provider, they will need to apply for a place through the college enrolment process. Their school will be able to help with this and should work with the new setting to ensure a smooth transition into the next stage of their study.

A full- time course is typically 16+ hours delivered over 3 or 4 days.

If the young person has an EHC plan, the local authority will consider whether support across five days a week is required to meet their needs. This does not have to be at one provider.

Education for young people can include a mixture of college-based learning and other activities such as work experience, volunteering, independent travel training, managing money or communication and self- help skills.

Support available in FE provision

Mainstream further education (FE) colleges must make reasonable adjustments for students with special educational needs. Colleges should not refuse to admit a young person who has special educational needs (SEN) but doesn’t have an EHC plan.

Some young people with SEN will also be disabled. Under the Equality Act 2010, mainstream FE colleges must do everything they reasonably can to remove all the barriers to learning for disabled students.

There should be a named person in overall charge of SEN provision, similar to the school special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). The college must make sure that students with SEN know who they can go to for help.

Extra help the young person receives should be detailed in an Individual Learning Plan, which is like a SEN support plan. The college should involve the young person in planning their support and keep records of the additional support given and progress made.

This should be reviewed at least three times a year with the young person and, where appropriate, the family. Colleges should refer to specialist services for further advice and support where needed.

Support might include:

accessible information, like symbol-based materials
mentoring
assistive technology, specialist tuition or note-takers
one-to-one and small group learning support
access to therapies
developing independence skills

Young people who need more help and support than a mainstream FE college could normally provide from their own resources may need an Educational Health and Care needs assessment. They may transition to college with an EHC plan or you, the young person or the college can request an EHC Assessment.

Specialist colleges and learning providers

Specialist post-16 institutions provide education for young people with SEN who have an EHC plan who need to access a specialist curriculum.

Some specialist colleges also help their students to attend courses in mainstream colleges as part of the curriculum.

The local authority can be asked to consult with a specialist college following an annual review of the EHC plan. The local authority will need to consider their choice alongside alternative options that can meet the young person’s needs. If there are other options that can meet their needs, they may refuse the request but if this is the case further discussions will be held.

Local provision for post-16 education

You can find local colleges, specialist colleges and training providers on the Local Offer directory.

You will still have to make an application to the College if the young person has an EHC plan.

Contact the college to check their admissions process:

North Northants Council may offer more Post 16 colleges in the north of Northamptonshire and surrounding areas.

Training, work experience and finding a job

Education does not have to be all classroom-based learning in a school or college. There are also training options, which give a young person the chance to experience a workplace and develop the skills they will need in finding or doing a particular job while continuing to study.

There are a range of options which include:

apprenticeship
Supported Internship
Study Programme (with work experience placement)
voluntary placement
paid job

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are available to young people over 16 with or without EHC plans. They can lead to qualifications from GCSE level up to degree or diploma level.

Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training and a qualification with an employer, alongside some study at college or on the job. Apprentices get paid a salary which includes paid holidays and pay while they are training. They can provide a mixture of practical (on the job) learning with formal learning in a further education college or with private training companies.

Apprenticeship training can take between 1 and 5 years to complete, depending on its level, the type of job and the skills your young person already has.

Apprenticeship providers receive funding for all young people, and the amount is increased for a young person with an EHC plan.

An Apprenticeship may affect benefits and entitlements. Your young person will be liable for tax and national insurance where applicable.

Supported internship

A supported internship is a type of study programme that helps a young person aged 16 to 24 with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) support and prepare for employment.

It is anticipated that this will lead to employment with an employer who has supported the internship or another employer.

Most of the learning for a supported internship is carried out in the workplace, with some learning at the provider as well. Supported internships are designed to enable young people with SEND to achieve sustainable, paid employment by helping them to learn the skills that they need for work.

Internships normally last for a year and include unpaid work placements of at least 6 months. Young people complete a personalised study programme which includes the chance to study for qualifications relevant to that particular type of workplace as well as appropriate levels in English and Maths.

Job Coaches provide in-work support which reduces as your young person becomes more familiar with their role.

Young people can apply for a supported internship through local Supported Internship providers.

A range of providers that have offered supported internships locally and in the surrounding area:

Banbury and Bicester College (Activate Learning)
Canto – Supported Internship provision available to those attending Canto who have completed a study programme
Creating Tomorrow College – study programme and Supported internship available.
Mencap – study programme and Supported internship available.
Milton Keynes College
Moulton College – Supported Internship provision available to those attending Moulton College who have completed a study programme
Warwickshire College Group

Study programme

All study programmes are designed to provide students with a structured and challenging learning programme that supports their development and progression in line with their career plans or plans for the future.

Study programmes are individually tailored, but will typically combine:

substantial qualifications that stretch students and prepare them for education at the next level or for employment
English and Maths, where students have not yet achieved a GCSE grade 4
work experience to give students the opportunity to develop their career choices and to apply their skills in real working conditions
other non-qualification activity to develop students’ character, broader skills, attitudes and confidence, and support progression - this could include preparation for supported living

Paid job (work)

When a young person moves into paid work, their EHC plan will cease. A paid job might be with a business or a supported enterprise through a Supported Employment Scheme.

A Supported Employment Scheme provides support to a young person to develop their CV, learn interview and work skills and apply for jobs and keep a job.

Funding for travel and equipment may be available if a young person has a disability via the Access to Work Scheme.

Paid work may affect benefits and entitlements and a young person will be liable for tax and national insurance where applicable.

Volunteering

Volunteering is a really good way for a young person to use their talents, learn new skills, get experience in a workplace, meet new people as well as doing something useful to support others. It is also good for their CV as many employers are looking for people who have some workplace experience and somewhere they can call on for a reference. Volunteering can be flexible.

If a young person wishes to volunteer and is not in education or training with a registered provider or has an Education Other Than at School (EOTAS) package agreed with the LA, then their EHC plan will cease.

Volunteer agencies in West Northants area are:

Work experience

If a young person does not really know what they want to do when they leave school, work experience is a good way to try out different options, as well as giving them an introduction into what it is like to be in the world of work. It helps to identify their strengths and areas your young person may want to work on. Young people may need support to help them make the most of work experience, for example helping them to work out what questions they want to ask other employees about what it is like.

Work experience shows possible future employers that a young person is interested and motivated to work in a chosen career.

If the young person is still at school, the school will help them to find work experience. Work experience can also be arranged directly by the young person or with support from family or carers.

Work experience placements (internal and external) should form part of a study programme whilst at college or with a learning provider.

University

Young people may progress to a higher education course (degree level) at university when they are 18 if they achieve the required qualifications.

An EHC plan automatically ends once a young person moves into Higher Education. However, extra support is still available. Universities have duties under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students. This can include support such as flexible seminar times, support for study skills or access to specialist computer software.

A planned transition to Higher Education should be as smooth as possible. For support needs, your young person can speak to the institution’s student support team.

Once the young person’s place has been confirmed at a Higher Education Institution, if the young person asks them to, the local authority must pass a copy of their EHC plan to the relevant person in that institution at the earliest opportunity.

Students with higher needs may qualify for a Disabled Students’ Allowance to fund specific help such as note takers, sign language interpreters or computer equipment.