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An introduction to post-16 options for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

This article provides information for parents and carers about the post-16 options for those young people with special educational needs and disabilities living in Calderdale and Kirklees.

The information in the article is intended as a general introduction and overview of the options available. This is because each local authority in England publishes more detailed information about specific support and provision as part of its ‘Local Offer’. The Local Offer brings together in one place, information about health, education and social care for children and young people from birth to 25 years old who have a special educational need or disability and their parents and carers. Links to the Local Offers in West Yorkshire can be found in the ‘Local information contacts’ section below. 

Locally, C+K careers advisers will support young people and their parents and carers in the decisions they have to make about their next steps. Information about how to contact C+K is also detailed below.

Post-16 options

In England, all young people have to stay in learning until they are 18. Their options include: 

  • Staying in full-time education 
  • Starting an apprenticeship
  • Doing a supported internship 
  • Working or volunteering full-time, whilst studying part-time 

FULL-TIME EDUCATION

After Year 11, most young people stay in full-time education. 

Our learning ladder below shows different levels of courses and examples of some of the qualifications that are available.

Courses are offered by: 

  • Colleges
  • Some schools
  • Training providers

Each provider will offer different levels and types of courses. For students with Education and Health Care plans (EHCps) it is important that the provider agrees that it can meet the needs outlined in their EHCp before they start on a course.

Courses at pre-entry and entry level

Many courses at this level help young people improve their personal and social skills as they prepare for adulthood, although there are some that focus on a specific job area, such as animal care or motor vehicle work.

Examples of current pre-entry and entry level course titles include:

  • Options to study
  • Pathway to independence or employment
  • Personal progression 
  • Personal and social skills
  • Pre supported internships
  • Preparation for community access
  • Preparation for independent living
  • Preparation for work
  • Progression Entry 3
  • Routes to employment
  • Skills for employment
  • Skills for life
  • Supported employment and preparation for work
  • Vocational pathways
  • Vocational taster programme
  • Vocational options, tasters and employability
  • Work ready

Many of the courses listed above are tailored to the needs of each individual student. They may include an opportunity to go on a work placement, complete a Duke of Edinburgh's Award or do voluntary work.

No qualifications are needed for entry onto these courses, although young people may have an assessment to see what type and level of course is right for them. Places on many pre-entry level and entry level courses may be allocated in discussion between local authority teams, parents and carers, careers advisers and teachers. 

Entry level courses are available at three different levels: entry 1, 2 and 3. Some students who study at entry level, go on to study a course at level 1.

Learning at level 1

Some GCSEs at grade 2 or above are often needed to study at level 1.

Many level 1 courses focus on learning about a specific vocational area such as bricklaying, childcare, hairdressing, health and social care, horticulture, motor vehicle and travel and tourism. There are some level 1 courses available that are more general, looking at developing employability skills, for example. 

APPRENTICESHIPS

An apprenticeship is a job with training which can be done by people of any age after they have left school. At 16, young people would do an apprenticeship at level 2 (GCSE level) or level 3. However, the opportunities available depend on the vacancies that employers have. Employers set their own entry requirements which, at level 2, may include some GCSEs at  grades 9-3. For information about apprenticeships go to www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/influencers

Extra support is available for apprentices with a learning difficulty or disability. Details can be found at www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/learning-difficulties-disabilities-support

SUPPORTED INTERNSHIPS

Supported internships are a structured, work-based study programme for people aged 16 to 24 who have an EHCp.  They last for a minimum of six months, and up to a year. The aim of a supported internship is to equip young people with the skills they need for work, so they can achieve sustained, paid employment in the longer-term.

Supported interns are enrolled with a learning provider, such as a school or college, but spend most of their learning time (typically around 70%) in a workplace. Every young person on a supported internship is supported in their work placement by a job coach, put in place by their learning provider. The rest of their time is spent at school or college completing a study programme, which includes the chance to study for relevant qualifications, and English and maths at an appropriate level. 

Generally, young people do a supported internship after they have finished a college course and want to get a job but need to gain some work skills first. In Calderdale and Kirklees, supported internships are offered by Calderdale College and Kirklees College for those aged 18+, and are known as Project Search, with work placements at local employers.

Local information contacts

 

C+K

Contact our Chat service by:
Phone: 01484 213856
Email: chat@ckcareers.org.uk

CALDERDALE

Local Offer
https://calderdalelocaloffer.org.uk

Local Offer post-16 choices
https://calderdalelocaloffer.org.uk/preparing-adulthood/education-and-employment

Calderdale SEND Information, Advice and Support Service
www.calderdalesendiass.org.uk

KIRKLEES

Local Offer
www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk

Local Offer post-16 choices
www.kirkleeslocaloffer.org.uk/post-16-information-preparing-for-adulthood-pfa

Kirklees Information Advice and Support Service
www.kias.org.uk

BRADFORD

Local Offer
https://localoffer.bradford.gov.uk/kb5/bradford/directory/home.page

Local Offer post-16 choices - apprenticeships and supported internships
https://localoffer.bradford.gov.uk/kb5/bradford/directory/results.action?lo_persona=1&localofferchannel=127

Local Offer post-16 choices - post-16 and HE, training and courses 
https://localoffer.bradford.gov.uk/kb5/bradford/directory/results.action?lo_persona=1&localofferchannel=132

Bradford SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)
www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services/bradford-sendiass

LEEDS

Local Offer
www.leedslocaloffer.org.uk

Local Offer - education, including post-16 education
www.leedslocaloffer.org.uk/education

Local Offer - careers, jobs and volunteering
www.leedslocaloffer.org.uk/preparing-adulthood/careers-jobs-and-volunteering

Leeds Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) 
https://sendiass.leeds.gov.uk

WAKEFIELD

Local Offer
https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org

Local offer - post-16 education and employment
https://wakefield.mylocaloffer.org/preparing-for-adulthood/education-and-employment

Wakefield SENDIASS (WESAIL)
https://family-action.org.uk/services/wakefield-sendiass-wesail

 

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How to get advice

If you are a young person, or the parent or carer of a young person, living in Calderdale or Kirklees, you can contact C+K for careers information, advice and guidance.

Additionally, for parents and carers, we have a page on MyDirections which outlines a young person's options at key decision points and which includes information for parents and carers of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

If you live outside Calderdale and Kirklees and want careers advice, please contact the National Careers Service.

If you are from a school, college or local authority and would like your students to access MyDirections, please click on the button below for more information.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION