As a young person (or parent/guardian) of a young person, you might start to wonder what is next and where do you go to find the answers for the point of leaving school and moving on to adulthood.
This section provides you with that guidance and information.
Children and young people with SEND can often require an extended transition when it comes to moving to the next phase of education/life, whether that be post-16, post-19 or into the world of employment. The information below can be used to support your child/young person in exploring their options moving forward.
Where to go for support
Sunderland, like all other local authorities, have their own dedicated careers and guidance team who can support and guide your child/young person in the right direction when exploring their post-16 options. All children from year 8 must be provided with the opportunity to receive careers information, advice and guidance at school so that they feel more informed when moving into year 9 and beyond. Take a look at Together for Children’s careers team here.
Post 16 Options:
College
A college offers a range of academic, vocational, technical, and professional courses. Further Education colleges offer courses at every level from entry level courses that do not require GCSE grades at entry through to higher level qualifications and degree courses. You can attend a college from 16 years old, although most students are aged between 16 and 18 years old. Some colleges are very large, with several sites or campuses and some are specialist such as those offering agricultural or marine courses.
Sixth Form
A sixth form refers to school years 12 and 13. Many schools offer a sixth form but there are also sixth form colleges. Sixth forms offer courses which are designed to follow on from your GCSE’s.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a job where you can gain hands on experience, a salary, and the chance to train while you work, often time can be split, and you can spend some of your time training at a college or with a training provider.
Traineeship
A traineeship is an education and training programme which incorporates work experience. This prepares young people for their future careers by helping them to become work ready.
A traineeship has three core elements:
- Work experience placement with an employer.
- Work preparation training, provided by the training organisation.
- English and maths support, if required, provided by the training organisation.
Traineeships last anything up to a maximum of 6 months with the content tailored to the needs of the business and the individual.
Employers are not required to pay trainees for the work placement and traineeships are exempt from the Minimum Wage. Young people taking part in traineeships will be undertaking education and training and some may qualify for financial support, including the 16-19 Bursary Fund.
Supported Internships
Supported Internships are a structured study programme which are based primarily at an employer. They allow young people aged between 16-24 with and Education, Health and Care Plan to achieve sustainable paid employment by equipping them with the skills they require for work, via learning in the workplace. Supported Internships are unpaid, and last for a minimum of six months. Wherever possible, they support a young person to move into paid employment at the end of the programme. Whilst their young people complete a personalised study programme which includes the chance to study for relevant substantial qualifications, if appropriate, and Maths and English.
Volunteering
Volunteering is described as an unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help a not-for-profit organisation or an individual who they are not related to. Benefits include making new friends, expanding your network, boosting your social skills and developing new skills.
Employment
Employment is a paid work agreement between an employer and an employee. The term employee applies to a person who is hired for a salary or fee to perform work for an employer.
EHCP’s after age 16
- the local authority must review the plan and name the next setting by 31 March before the September start
- you can request a specific college or training provider to be named in the plan
- the plan must include support for preparing for adulthood, including:
- education and employment
- independent living
- community participation
- health and wellbeing
If you disagree with the LA’s decision, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
EHCP’s can continue at post 16 and your young person may still receive SEND support in college or training. Providers must:
- use a graduated approach: Assess, Plan, Do, Review
- make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010
- work with the young person and their family to plan support
Post 19 options
When a young person with SEND turns 19, they may move on to:
- further education or training
- supported internships or employment
- adult social care services
- community-based learning or day opportunities
- independent or supported living
EHCP’s after age 19
EHCP’s can continue beyond the age of 19 if the young person is still in education or training and the plan is helping them secure and achieve their outcomes. The local authority must:
- review the plan at least annually
- consider whether the young person is making progress
- decide whether the plan is still needed
- if the LA decides to cease the plan, they must:
- consult with the young person and their family
- provide a written explanation
- offer support through adult services if appropriate
You can appeal the decision to the SEND Tribunal if you are unhappy.
Transitions
Health transitions
Moving from child to adult health services can be challenging. Young people may see a different team or attend a different hospital. It’s important that the transition is well planned, with clear communication between teams. A young person should not be discharged from children’s services until they have been successfully transferred to adult services. Make sure you add this to your list of questions to ask once your child/young person approaches year 9 so there is time to plan and navigate any changes.
Annual Health Checks are available for young people with learning disabilities. These checks include physical exams, mental health assessments, medication reviews, and checks for chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. If a learning disability has a specific cause, additional tests may be offered, for example thyroid checks for people with Down’s syndrome. Speak to your child/young person’s GP to find out when and how this happens.
The health check is also a good opportunity to review any transitional arrangements that need to be in place before the young person turns 18.
If a young person’s main SEND need is health-related, they should be referred for what is known as an Adult Continuing Health Care Assessment well before their 18th birthday. This allows time to complete the assessment and plan the care they are entitled to. If there is no adult health service to transition to, their GP will manage their health needs. More information around this can be found via the NHS site.
Social Care transitions
If a young person is likely to need adult social care, the local authority must carry out a transition assessment before they turn 18. This applies even if they haven’t previously received children’s social services. The Care Act (2014) places legal duties on local authorities to support young people transitioning from children’s to adult services.
Assessments should help practitioners involved understand what the young person’s needs will be beyond age 18. If the local authority decides not to carry out an assessment, they must explain why in writing and offer advice on how to prevent or delay future care needs.
For young people aged 18 or over who still have an EHC plan, adult social care support is provided under the Care Act. The care and support plan should form the care element of the EHC plan.
Young adults may need to contribute to the cost of their care. The local authority will carry out a financial assessment to determine this. Costs may include home care, day activities, supported living, or support from a personal assistant.
Carer’s assessments are also available. These look at the impact of caring on the parent or carer, and explore whether they want to continue caring, work, study, or take part in social activities. If eligible, a support plan will be agreed. In Sunderland, these assessments are commissioned by Together for Children and are carried out by Sunderland Carers Centre. Please contact them directly for more information.
Employment transitions
Once a young person enters the world of work, there are services and professionals available to support. This can be helpful especially if they require specific advice from a work coach, disabilities advisor, or access to certain equipment to enable them to carry out elements of their role successfully, such as voice to text software or visual aids. Your local Department for work and pensions helpline is a source of support, as is your local job centre or your employer can contact support schemes such as access to work directly.
Useful signposts
Preparing for adulthood – a guide to from Together for Children
Journey into adulthood – a guide to from Together for Children
Preparing for adulthood – a transitional guide from Choice Wellbeing Service
Preparing for the journey into adulthood – support guides, toolkits and EHCP support from Council for Disabled Children
Preparing for adulthood – information from Sunderland’s Parent/Carer Forum
For specific information, advice or guidance around Post 16 or Post 19 courses, please contact your child/young person’s educational establishment directly. If your child/young person is receiving education outside of Sunderland, or they are looking to explore educational options outside of Sunderland, check out the local offer links below:
Newcastle
Durham
South Tyneside
North Tyneside
Gateshead
Darlington
Middlesborough
Stockton
Redcar & Cleveland
Northumberland