Advice for after sixth form no uni

What a lovely post.

I found my foster sons college absolutely brilliant with him. Far better than his special school had been. He started on a level 2 BTEC course and did functional skills English 1 and spent a year learning GCSE Maths. He passed all of his courses that year and moved on to the level 3 BTEC which we thought would be too difficult for him but no he managed them well because his college gave him a 1-1 support in academic sessions and he was fine for practical aspects of the course. He was given software for computer that aided his reading. He became so much more independent and built up a brilliant relationship with his tutors. He won the college prize for most improved student last year and managed to achieve 2 x distinctions and 1 x merit which at the beginning of the 2 years we thought would have been so far out of his grasp. Now he's at uni. DH spends a couple of days a week with him helping him with life admin and laundry/cooking but he's coping with his course and learning to make new friends with people on his course. Finding a supportive college is key. We found DS doing btecs and loving his course a huge relief for us because when he left his special school I was sick with worry about his future. Now I'm hopeful he will be able to get a job at end of his degree.

Does your DD have an EHCP? This is a crucial question. If she does, then it may be possible to get some post-18 courses funded. However, given that she's shown she's capable of level 3 study, the LA may try and cease to maintain. You will need to show that there are elements of Section E 'outcomes' that have not been achieved yet.

I am in a similar position and spoke to Ipsea (a charity that offers free advice for SEN families). They said that even if a DC with an EHCP is capable of level 3 qualifications, you may be able to argue that post 6th form, they would benefit from attending a college/education setting to do a course that worked on more practical skills which focuses on their independence/work skills. With an EHCP, the LA could fund - and possibly even provide transport (but probably not without a battle). An important point to note is that with an EHCP, it will be ceased if a young person moves on to university - in which case they apply for a disabled student allowance.

If your DD doesn't have an EHCP then it becomes harder in terms of funding post 18. However, she may qualify for some funding depending on her financial circumstance.

What does your DD want to do? What are her level 3 qualifications in?

Have you looked at what post 18 college options are available in your area and spoken to anyone yet? In terms of SEN support, they vary massively.

Is your DD in receipt of PIP? If so, I'm assuming you know about carer's allowance? When she leaves school, she could apply for other benefits which in turn could help with entitlement to course funding.

I've just had a quick look at the rules around Child Benefit post-18 which are here. It seems that she may still qualify up until 20 if certain conditions are met:

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

Could she attend a local university?

I think you need to expect the CB to stop once she has completed her Level 3 qualifications. If it doesn't stop that is a bonus.

Does she have an EHCP? If so have you heard of Supported Internships which is support into work. There is a thread on this board about them.

Is commenting to uni an option - it’s unclear whether it’s the living away she couldn’t cope with or the learning?

Does she have an EHCP? If so education is fine until 25.

if not, then some colleges offer university level courses if you see what I mean where you do not have to go to uni but can go to the college.

https://www.ucas.com/applying/you-apply/what-and-where-study/study-options/studying-higher-education-college

You don’t know what your child is studying…??!!