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What are My Education and Training Choices After I Leave School and What Support Will I Get if I Have Special Educational Needs?

Information for Young People

Information for young people on support options when choosing to continue their education or training.

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When you leave school, you have many options for education or training:

  • School Sixth Form – courses at entry level, GCSE, BTEC and A level;
  • Mainstream further education (FE) college - wide range of courses at all learning levels;
  • Specialist further education (FE) college – (will need an EHC Plan to go here);
  • Apprenticeships – combination of paid on the job training and studying for qualifications;
  • Traineeships – Unpaid work experience and study, usually lasting 6 months;
  • Supported internships - workplace study and training – (EHC Plan is needed);
  • Personalised education packages – e.g. small step progress to improving skills e.g. communication or steps towards returning to formal learning or training.

What Support Might I Get At College?

  • Mentor or someone to take notes for you;
  • Assistive technology;
  • Information given in a way that you can understand, and task sheets enlarged when needed;
  • 1:1 and small group work with learning support;
  • Therapies (if you need them);
  • Help with independent living skills.

Where Might I Go Age 19 Onwards? (Normally young people over 19 are called an adult learner)

  • University (If you have the qualifications to go into higher education and study for a degree);
  • School sixth form – this is only to complete a course you started when you were 18;
  • Mainstream further education (FE) college - wide range of courses for learners at all levels.

Some special schools or colleges offer learning to those aged 19-25 with an EHC Plan

  • Adult learning centres;
  • Work based training – Apprenticeships – Traineeships - Supported internship;
  • Personalised education packages;
  • Day care settings.

If you have an EHC Plan this will finish if you go to university, but universities must make reasonable adjustments for students with a disability. This could include:

  • Flexible seminar times;
  • Study skills support;
  • Specialist computer software.

Transport

Free transport is not an automatic right for young people over 16.

The Local Authority (Kirklees or Calderdale) publishes a transport statement every year explaining arrangements for all young people, including those with disabilities and special educational needs, to get to their place of education.

You will find this information on Kirklees or Calderdale’s ‘Local Offer’ available online.

Will I Have To Pay For My Course?

Tuition is free for young people aged 16-18 and includes additional support, reasonable adjustments, and referral to specialist services if you need this.

If you have disability learning and training providers must do everything, they reasonably can remove any barriers that prevent you accessing learning.
Young people over 19 can be charged for tuition fees. This depends on the type and level of the course.

You may not have to pay some or all the cost if:

  • You are on certain benefits;
  • You are studying basic Maths, English (below Level 2) or Employment skills or GCSE or level 3 course e.g. A Level for the first time;
  • Your college or training provider can help you with course fees;
  • If you are aged 19-25 and have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHC plan), you will get free tuition if your course meets the outcomes in your EHC plan.

You can ask for a Social Care assessment to see if you can get funding to pay for day care.

Many colleges offer courses for 3 days a week and young people over 16 are not entitled to education 5 days a week but if you have an EHC Plan the Local Authority must consider if supported learning over 5 days would be best to meet your needs. This could include:

  • Work experience;
  • Independent travel training;
  • Managing money and other daily life skills;
  • Communication.

University students with higher needs may be able to get a Disabled Students Allowance. You can ask for a Social Care assessment to see if you can get funding to pay for support including:

  • Someone to take notes;
  • Sign language interpreters;
  • Computer equipment.

Where can we get information, advice and support?

At Kirklees Independent Advice Service (KIAS) and Calderdale SENDIASS we can give free, legally based, confidential, impartial advice and support including:

  • Advice on SEN support at school / college aged 0 - 25 years
  • Explain the EHCP assessment process and your rights
  • Support in Annual reviews and meetings
  • Support in mediation and appeals
  • Advice on school exclusions

Who do I contact?

We would be happy to hear from you on:

KIAS – (Kirklees enquiries)
Telephone: 0300 330 1504

SENDIASS – (Calderdale enquiries)
Telephone: 01422 266141