What to do with 16 year old? Re: dropped out of FE

[Toknowanything]

I have responsibility of my 16 year old niece. Please don’t ask too many questions regarding why, or where the parents are as it’s too outing. I’ve had responsibility from her last GCSE in June.

She failed all of her GCSEs with an average of level 2 in the majority of them.

She started college, swapped around courses for a bit and finally dropped out. She didn’t let me know she had dropped out until she warned me that she was more than likely getting kicked off due to attendance; basically the two months I thought she was going she never did a full day, messed around and barely attended classes. She never wanted to go to college but the umpting links to apprenticeships and asking her if she needed any help applying fell on deaf ears.

I’ve put in punishments such as not allowed out, no friends over, no money and the internet has been limited. Basically making it uncomfortable as possible for the last month but she hasn’t really flinched apart from not being able to go out. She’ll just mess around all day listening to the radio and straightening her hair.

She’s kinda getting to the point that she does want to do something and she has taken some initiative to try to sort something out I.e applying for jobs and has seen the careers officer off her own back.

We’re now in November what options do we have? I think she may have dyslexia for a start as her English is horrendous; do colleges have SEN departments that could do some assessments? Could you possibly change to a course this far into term? Looking online whereas before September there was quite a few apprenticeships there’s barely anything now. Traineeships do look like a waste of time; 6 volunteering in a charity shop as she has had a Saturday job for two years (until recently).

I’m really really struggling right now. As she says the law isn’t enforced when it comes to staying in education until 18.

Sorry I’ve just realised I’ve put this AIBU - maybe this could be moved to chat?

You need to contact MNHQ to get it moved.

FE colleges should definitely be able to arrange a dyslexia assessment for her.

Traineeships might be her only option right now. They’re not brilliant but it would get her back in the ‘system’ and can lead onto other courses, not least the opportunity to take Functional Skills English & Maths qualifications.

FE colleges do have SEN support but they’re unlikely to spend money on assessments for a student who doesn’t commit to attend regularly. However, she can be supported without being diagnosed if she’s obviously struggling. There’ll be pastoral support as well, which I suspect is what she really needs.

Why did she not attend? You may be able to speak to the college support services and agree a programme and assessment. Could she do Functional Skills rather than gcse? There may be still be apprenticeship opportunities but she would need to work towards qualifications.

Discuss with her what she wants to do and look at avenues. My husband din,t do well in his A levels, but latter as an adult did an acess course and went on to do a degree. I think at 16 a lot of people do things because they don,t know what else to do.

Are there any small provisions in your local area that offer functional skills maths and English? In my area there is and it does great flexible learning for 16-18 who have struggled at school for one reason or another. Some apprenticeships don't require maths and English grades, but you do have to be quite committed to be successful in applying and interviewing etc. Has she looked at www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship? Something like prince's trust or a similar re-engagement provision might help her to get back into a routine as well.

I helped mine get a job, she pays board but has been told if she wants to do an apprenticeship or go back to college then we will support her.

Turns out DD has dyspraxia but school has never listened to me saying there was something wrong. I paid privately once she was 16 for a full SpLD screening.

The YMCA around here have a college that offers from entry level vocational subjects as well as functional maths and English, and you can start at any time of year. They focus on students that the education system hasn't really worked for, so they are used to attendance issues etc. There may be similar near you? (I'm in Derbyshire)