Advice for after sixth form no uni

I think you are being far too quick in saying she wouldn’t be able to manage a job. If you are telling her this then it really is a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. My ds is autistic, struggled throughout the education system, yet is enjoying working. It’s fair to say that many jobs he would struggle with, but he has manage to find one that he loves and who treat him well (small team, mainly outside doing practical stuff, min wage). You can’t rely on child benefit forever, my ds now pays a bit of rent that makes up for this (and more). Encourage her to grow and flourish OP. Volunteering also gave my ds some confidence and skills he could bring to the job.

Delivery on Next sofas was over three months. We’ve had M & S in the past, currently got Parker Knoll - very comfy and huge choice of fabric. We’ve also bought a new sofa recently from Red Brick Mills in Dewsbury if you’re in the north. Huge choice.

As well as PIP that you/DD (you don’t say if you are appointee or not) have applied for, have a look at making a credits only New Style ESA claim.

Yes, you continue to get child benefit until the child turns 20 if they stay in education.

Not always. Only full-time non-advanced education.

I would suggest talking to the senco about applying for an EHCP, but also talk to the school about her options in terms of courses.
post 16 is always much harder to obtain if she’s academically able to study at level 3, and be prepared to battle at tribunal for one, but if she’s unlikely to be able to work, then that is a major factor in securing one.

it will give more course options post 18 and remains with her until 25.

at 16 you can apply for PIP for her, though again it very much depends on what she needs support with.

Yes, you continue to get child benefit until the child turns 20 if they stay in education. Yes, sixth form colleges provide SEN help. If you feel it's proving a bit challenging for your daughter, you can speak to them and either or both years can be repeated - it happens a lot. I would only recommend Uni if the career she wants requires a degree as she'd incur the (rather large) debt. A local university where she can commute is an option. Depending what she'd like to do, she can do further college courses too. Lots of kids also take a gap year and do part time local work to gain confidence and experience. My advice would be to go with the flow and see how she gets on. Kids change a lot between the ages of 16 and 18 so don't stress now trying to predict the future.

Once she completes level 3 courses her child benefit stops, it can’t be extended by doing an extra course because funding for the courses stops too.

university locally or higher diplomas are an option, my autistic dd lived at home for her first degree

To be fair OP has made it clear she’s still after claiming child benefit so that’s not going to work.

OP I’m sorry but to me your post comes across more like you are worried about losing CB than anything else.

She will potentially have another year of funding (they get 3 Septembers from leaving compulsory education) but your local FE provider is your best bet. There are options in childcare at most FE colleges for post 19 students, many that will come with funding support. An apprenticeship could be an option. She sounds like she will leave with a full level 3, presuming she passes everything at the end of y13, and that’s the point of the 3 years. However, if she shows a different direction (fully vocational, for example) then it’s easy to justify using all 3 years. Most FE providers are having open events now - they are the experts and will be far more knowledgeable than school and strangers on the internet. Good luck to your DD, I hope she finds something to suit.

Advice on future options will depend a lot on what she is studying, whether it’s A Levels or BTEcs, and what subjects.

As a "disabled" august birthday student myself I'd consider a gap year. I graduated with a BSc at 20. I do wish I'd been more mature when I started uni. The early years sector are crying out for people at the moment. It was a long time ago but my mum was sponsored by her employer to do a HND. I know my son's nursery do a similar scheme.

Coukd she go to a local uni and come home each night? Or coukd she study a degree course at a local fe college with a university centre? Both v common options, although latter might be more nature students than 18 year olds., alternatively what does she want to do? Her btec a level equivalents will be slightly more vocational based, so maybe a sen friendly employer? Autism initiatives might slso be a good route.

If DD got mainly 4s, I’m surprised she is doing an A level. If the A level subject is a subject DD did at GCSE, what grade did she get? When deciding on the post 16 routes, did you and DD look at what other level 3 courses are available at college?

There are a lot of BAE apprentiships opened up this week. From practical skills such as welding and fabrication to degree apprentiships. They state to support a diverse workforce, we went to an open day yesterday and all of the kids/young adults there seemed happy and valued. Why not try there if she is a practically minded young lady.

OP may have to appeal, potentially more than once, but it is possible to secure an EHCP at this stage.

You need to explore what local college options there are. If she has five good GCSEs this will open more doors, but even without there are likely to be plenty of options. There will be some specialist colleges and general ones, with a range of courses - school should be helpful in pointing you in the right direction. At this stage you are unlikely to get an EHCP so I wouldn’t focus on that. Could she attend a local university?

Uni is actually really good for disabled young adults. There’s so much support. My daughters review has 2 tutors provided by disabled students allowance then uni itself provide support my daughter has epilepsy and ADHD and is coping fine. The tutor help them cope with work load.
my son who has learning difficulties obtained a degree from a uni in our home town. Without the tutors from disabled students allowance wouldn’t have been possible. I would definitely talk to yr child and see what they want. There’s so much support at uni that it’s possible.
if they leave college your child benefit will stop just like it would when they reach 20

A lot of child nurseries will employ a person an put them through BTEC childcare. They work 4 days with DC and 1// day at college.

Have you looked at childcare courses at local colleges? It could open up opportunities for her to work in a nursery, primary school TA, a nanny, childminder etc

Schools have funding for 3 years of post-16, just in case you weren't aware. It's not uncommon for DC (with SEN or not) to re-take Yr12 if they realise they've made the wrong subject choices. If your DD ends up struggling with juggling a full timetable, some schools will allow them to drop one subject or drop one and start another and do a Yr14.

If you are thinking of going for an EHCP, it will be worth starting to gather evidence now - for example keeping a diary of when she's struggling at school, what support/scaffolding she needs to home and at school. Examples of how she differs from a 'typical' teenager etc. You may already have this if you've recently applied for PIP for her.

If she wants to work with children then there may be level 2/3 courses in childcare that might come with funding? It's definitely worth speaking to the school now though and any colleges you can think of.

@Toomanyminifigs there is more to be considered than just if Outcomes have been achieved. Outcomes being achieved is one element the LA must have regard to, as per section 45(3) of the Children and Families Act 2014, but it goes beyond that, so Outcomes being achieved doesn’t always make it lawful to cease.

Have a read of B & M v Cheshire East Council [2018] UKUT 232 (AAC) - “Achievement of outcomes may indicate that a young person no longer requires SEP specified in a plan, however it does not follow from CFA2014 s45(3) that, where “outcomes” have been achieved it is no longer necessary to maintain the EHCP.“

It is discussed further in the Noddy guide if you want to read more.

@caringcarer that is such a wonderful, inspirational story. Thank you for sharing. You and your DH must be so proud of your foster son.

OP - does your DD have any idea what she would like to do? What are her qualifications in? I take it there's a career's advisor in her school and she's in contact with them? They may be able to offer advice/information about training schemes/colleges in your area. Your DD's school should be working with her on her post-18 pathway.

In terms of applying for an EHCP, there is some good information here. Ipsea and SOS!SEN offer free phone advice. It can be very difficult to get through but do keep trying.

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/asking-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

Having an EHCP will give her more funded options post 18 but just to warn you, your local authority may well fight you all the way. They may argue that she's come 'this far' without one she doesn't need one (as of course they will be mindful of costs). That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply though. If they do force you to tribunal, you could be looking at a year+ so it's definitely worth getting the ball rolling now.

Are there any unis within travelling distance from you? She could still attend while living at home. Look up how to apply for a disabled student allowance. They can include things like paying for a PA/taxis etc so don't rule it out. It might be worth attending some Open Days with her.

@2x4greenbrick That's interesting. Thank you. That is indeed what I was told with regards to Outcomes.

Is it any higher education DD doesn’t want to pursue or only university? There are other forms of higher education, if that would suit.

For further education in college, without an EHCP, while the 16-19 funding regulations allow more than 2 years funding in some circumstances, if DD achieves an A level and two level 3 BTECs, it is unlikely the college will get funding. You can see the regulations for this year here.

If you think an EHCP is required, you/DD can request an EHCNA yourself. It is worth looking at IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites and model letters.

It isn’t relevant to the OP, but just to point out @Toomanyminifigs, Outcomes being achieved doesn’t necessarily mean it is lawful for LAs to cease to maintain. This has been covered in case law. LAs like to believe otherwise.