AIBU to worry about what my son with SEN will do after college

[TheOpalFox]

have you got a child or
yound person with Sen ?

What did they do at college / work?

My son is 16 and I’m so worried what he will do as he don’t know himself and I worried he won’t find anything :(

Is it possible for him to stay in education for a bit longer?

What's he good at?

My uncle had learning disabilities caused by birth trauma. He became a groundskeeper at a local college and worked that job for his entire life. He has no partners or children but he loves his motorbike!

Addmitedly it was an earlier time though.

Does he have an ehcp? They cover them to 25 dont they?

Im sorry op. I have a 12 Yr old who is autistic and barely able to attend school its just such a worry.

Ring the council-some have special teams to help people with additional needs secure placements/employment that is appropriate for them.

Im sure you know all this op but just call every single helpline you can and ask in local sen facebook groups
I live in a large town so we have a couple of cafes /pubs that specifically employ sen teens

Only if they're in education of some sort.

Is he just leaving school? Has he taken any GCSEs? What does he enjoy?

I know a lad with high functioning autism who works in Tesco. Joined at 17 and he is now in his 20s. He chats to everyone who comes to his till, is meticulous with his organization and is hoping to be promoted to supervisor one day. He has passed his driving test and will move into a flat share with a friend next year.

Another works in the cafe at the garden centre. He sometimes gets stressed with customer facing roles when it gets very busy so he does barista duties - his coffee art is amazing.

Are you in England? What sen does he have and how would these impact his ability to work?

Will he have any qualifications after college?

If he has an ehc he can do internships. He can also be funded to do all sorts of stuff up to age 25.

If he has significant sen which means he won't be able to do paid work, he can volunteer and/or attend classes for people with eg learning disability, autism via your local authority.

Is he claiming PIP and UC? I don't hope you have that in hand.

Also check out the Shaw Trust and the King's trust.

Job centre can also help.

The post 16 specialist school/college he's going to will be able to advise you on that. Why go from one worry straight to another

SEN is a broad term. Does he have a disability and what is that disability?

Google "preparation for adulthood". If he has an EHCP it should be in there.

If he has an EHCP there will be some additional courses he can do. Our local college did one with placements. EHCPs last until 25.

Special school (practical job training) for my 16 year old (up to 20).

Have you heard about Supported Internships? They are for kids with EHCPs at the end of education as a support into work. Might be good for post college.

DD has just completed one. 70% successful.

Advice is very dependent on academic ability and level of SEN.

Nobody can answer without knowing what his needs are
SEN is a very broad term .

Next steps are a worry and in fact I worry about what next for my non sen child too.

Its hard when they dont know what they want to do as ther is no clear aim.

Sometimes they know what they dont want to do though (or what they cant do due to thier specific sen) and that really helps narrow things down.

My son doesnt want to work outdoors and doesnt want anything where he talks to customers a lot and his literacy level is functional skills and he can only do one train not changing trains so only certain locations work.This narrows down what is available so that was our start point.

Then you see whats left and dont stress too far ahead. It doesnt have to be forever. If right now what is right is a job in the local garden centre, it doesnt mean in a few years a different path cant happen. Or if its a social group in the day for learning disabled adults you start finding one.

I think you are worrying about this because you are spiralling worrying about the upcoming appeal. The EHCP can continue until 25 or 26 in some cases. You don’t need to panic right now about the steps after when the focus needs to be on your upcoming appeal to SENDIST.

My son didn’t stay in education after 16. He just couldn’t handle it and he wouldn’t be able to handle going out to work. He does YouTube videos now and makes around £3000 a month so I’m not worried. He puts most of it into a shares ISA for his future

My son didn’t stay in education after 16. He just couldn’t handle it and he wouldn’t be able to handle going out to work. He does YouTube videos now and makes around £3000 a month so I’m not worried. He puts most of it into a shares ISA for his future

Wow @UniquePinkSwan if that's accurate, he's doing incredibly! So few YouTube influencers make money like that. Hope he's got an accountant 😂.