AIBU to think my son can pursue further education without GCSE English or Maths?

Your post is demonstrating you don’t understand additional needs.

pointless (and incorrect advice). If a young person has an EHCP it is exactly because they need additional support to access education including finding out what is accessible to them. It is possible to support a young person in doing this whilst helping them build independence. We don’t need to throw young people with difficulties in at the deep end on their own.

He needs to think about what he’s interested in, then contact colleges himself and ask about entry requirements and access courses. He should do this, not you, else he’ll never learn to stand on his own two feet.

This is a question only specific colleges can answer.

Mine did Kings Trust 12 week programme and it was excellent (no EHCP required) he’s now on a supported internship via MENCAP. I believe an EHCP is required but as others have said you do have the option to reopen it. The supported internship also offer maths and English GCSE or functional maths and English. They also do a two year pre internship programme.

trainingacademy.mencap.org.uk/

My eldest is currently doing an OU degree, they do have a handful of GCSEs though including maths and English, failed quite a few due to poor mental health. They had a massive mental health breakdown when they should have been doing A levels and crashed out of college completely. When they got their life on track again they decided to use their PIP money to fund an access course with the OU. (They have PIP as they are autistic). Using their money to fund it gave them the buy in to engage. It gave them the confidence to know whether they could work at degree level having missed so much education. When they finished the course they felt they had done well enough in it to then do the full degree. It has been a steep learning curve for them but it is working for them. As it is their first degree they have funding for it. But it is only counted as a part time degree even though they are studying full time.

EHCPs don’t run until 25, the end of the academic year in which YP turn 25, or 26th birthday in some circumstances if the EHCP has been formally ceased following the correct procedure. EHCPs only continue that long if they continue to be maintained. OP needs to know if it was formally ceased following the right process.

@Italiangreyhound

I would go back to your LEA (Local Education Authority). EHCPs run until the end of the academic year in which you turn 25.

I know this as I was your son, I spent several years out of education due to mental illness and returned first to a specialist provision at 19, and then back into mainstream education at 20. I went on to Oxford after sitting A levels aged 22, I’d failed my GCSEs at 16.

Obviously your son’s academic ability and interests dictate what path he would take, but he should be able to return to education with his EHCP. If he enjoyed his course would the next level be something he is interested in? With an EHCP he can be allowed to progress without meeting the GCSE requirement if he is deemed otherwise capable. Also, at 21 and with an EHCP he should be able to take Functional Skills courses instead of resitting his GCSE Maths and English.

Have you looked at Supported Internships? They are a pathway yo work, but again for those with EHCPs.

Has he learned to drive? Not driving has been a major stumbling block for DD2 and accessing work. Unfortunately she isn't up to it.

Driving plus English&Maths FS could make a productive year.

DS, or his appointee if he has one, should apply for UC unless he has capital over £16k. If he has capital over £16k, make a credits only NS-ESA claim instead.

This is important beyond receiving money via UC. It is important to protect his pension (should a state pension exist by the time DS is SPA).

I would suggest ge starts with maths and English, he will get funding for these at an FE college or adult education centre. Functional skills is more accessible than GCSE.

The OU are good but it can be a bit intense. Could he look at jobs adjacent to animal care, maybe something like receptionist in a vet's?

I used to foster cats for Cat's Protection, OK it isn't a job but gives you practical experience and they also do training. It doesn't have to be constant, some volunteers only covered when other fosteres were on holiday, so only for a week or two at a time.

Best of luck to the both of you.

Is DS receiving UC as well? Or if he has capital over £16k, has he/his appointee made a credits only NS ESA application.

With an EHCP, provision can be funded. Without an EHCP, there will be funding for E&M. For other qualifications, DS may be eligible for funding via the Adult Skills Fund or a loan via the Advanced Learner Loan, but they both have eligibility criteria and will depend on the course, when DS starts it and if DS has a level 3 qualification or if it was a lower level BTEC.

EHCPs that have formally ceased (rather than just sat doing nothing because the LA is poor like too many are) can’t be ‘reopened’ legally. You would need to request another EHCNA. However, some LAs believe they can do as they wish and ignore the law.

Its a stumbling block for many kids
My son has got level 2 funtionsl skills English but still struggling with maths
Hes 19
Aside ftom this have you looked into the kings trust ? My son is just finishing a 12 week course with them
Hes come on on leaps and bounds in terms of maturity and mixing with others hes done all sorts with them including work experience and a residential
They have helped with his CV and mock interviews etc.

English & maths GCSE courses should be free at your local college.
Or you can do functional skills either in person, or if he's not ready for that yet you can do them online.

I think I would look at doing one of those as a start to ease back into education. Then there are lots more options open, level 3 courses, Access courses, Open University, apprenticeships.

If he has an EHCP the LA should cover funding

He really needs maths and English most employers look for it, he can do gcses or functional skills

Don’t be put off even if the LA say it isn’t possible. LAs often lie.

FS English is far more straightforward than the GCSE. Dd2 did it with a tutor.

Unfortunately, if an EHCP has formally ceased, you would need to request another EHCMA just like you would to request an EHCNA for someone who had never had an EHCP before. In law, an EHCP that formally ceased cannot be ‘re-opened’ despite what some LA professionals try to mislead parents and YP to believe.