I actually don't know how to approach this one as I don't want to sound completely and utterly one deaf or unaware of our privilege but I will give it a go. Please be kind.
My son is in year 12 and has now been trying for quite some time to get access to some of the residentials, sessions and mini courses etc that will help him to make a career choice. He has no clue what he wants to do so really needs some experience of some of these options to see if he wants to pursue University. and if so what!
Anyway, to cut a long story short, despite good academic results, he hasn't been able to get in to anything because he doesn't qualify in respect of widening participation criteria. Not one single thing. He is white, we don;t qualify on low income ( we are not rich but as a dual income family have a taxable income of around £30K a year) and I went to University. On DH's side, however, no-one has even gone past "o" levels.
I feel like a bit of a prat as I 100% realise that we are very fortunate but we are really struggling with this. Even as I'm typing this I am so confused and conflicted but I am wondering if anyone else is having this trouble and if IABU in feeling a bit like I can't help my DS make important like choices (which I realise he is even blessed to HAVE in the first place) without the opportunity to see what choices are there for him?