Further Education (16+)

Post 16, there are a number of local options for learners with Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs). We aim to offer young people, parents and carers choice and control over provision. These include education, apprenticeships, supported internships and support to access the community through Adult Services.

Most colleges will offer additional support for students with a learning disability and/or other disabilities or additional needs. The Council has a Post 16 transport policy statement that outlines what support is available.

There are several further education options available for young people leaving school. Most colleges offer a large range of courses, both full-time and part-time. These include general education courses such as A levels and GCSEs or more work related options such as motor vehicle maintenance, catering and hairdressing.

Colleges will be able be offer extra support for people with a learning disability and will be able to offer advice around the different types of courses available and support arrangements.

Most students will be able to attend their local college to take a course that they have chosen, with extra support if required. However, some students may need provision that their local college cannot offer and it may be necessary for them to attend an independent specialist college out of the area. They may also offer a residential placement in conjunction with Social Care Services.

The majority of these specialist colleges belong to Natspec. Natspec is the membership association for organisations which offer specialist provision for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Before reaching the end of Year 11

When young people are in Year 10 or 11 they will have a transition review meeting at school and the review will look at their needs and long term outcomes in their Education, Health and Care Plan.

Educational options that are available to the young person after the age of 16 will be discussed should they wish to remain in full time education. Young people will be encouraged to participate in transition activities which may include looking at a number of different options including:

• Arranging time to visit local colleges and arranging ‘taster’ sessions;
• Going to Sixth Form College;
• Going to a college of further education;
• Going on work experience

If a young person is attending a special school in another borough that has sixth form provision, they will also have a transition review meeting but they will have the option of staying on at their current school if the provision available can meet their long term outcomes. However, they can also choose to leave and go to other provision if that is more suitable for them.

In exceptional cases, going to an independent school or college may be considered (possibly residential).

The results of these transition review discussions and following the appropriate consultation as with our pre 16 processes will be that a college or school is named in the young person’s EHCP.

Young people with an EHCP will continue to have reviews when they are in 16 – 19 provision. In order to move onto new courses when the young person is over 19, our assessment panel will require:

• Clear views and preferences of the young person (or parents/carers if the young person does not have the mental capacity to make this decision)
• Evidence that educational and training outcomes specified in the EHCP have been achieved
• Evidence that a further educational placement will enable the young person to progress and achieve the outcomes specified in the EHCP
• Evidence that the educational and training outcomes identified in the EHCP will enable the young person to move on to the next stage of their lives, including employment or higher education and independent living

If this is agreed then provision will be named in the young person’s EHCP as with at any other education transition point.