Post-16 options for child with no GCSE’s

[NellieBlue]

I’m at a loss as to how to help my DS. He’s currently in Y11, is autistic and has an EHCP. It’s extremely unlikely he will finish school with any GCSEs. He’s dropped English GCSE and is working around entry level 3 I think. He’s still doing maths and single science but is predicted a grade 2 (but thought to be capable of a 4/5. Of course that’s only if he sits the exam which he says he will not do.

He does not wish to go to college but school has said it’s compulsory now until he’s 18 and his only option would be a foundation course. I’ve looked at the foundation courses and they just look like more of the same, which he hates. I can’t see him engaging.

Does anyone know of any other options that might be available for a child completely disengaged from education with no interests?

It's my understanding that they can also do voluntary or work as long as they are in education at least part-time.

Has he no interests at all, or special interests re: his ASD?

He has no interests anymore, his mood is very low. He only leaves the house to go to school which at the moment is about once a week. He spends his time playing computer games and sleeping.

I suggested level one in esports but he said he doesn’t have an interest in competitive gaming. He will only do something if he has an interest in it. But he has no interest in anything, it’s like he’s completely disengaged from life. And I don’t know how to help him.

Your local college may have a pathway for students with Send.

My local one offers this:

www.camre.ac.uk/course/Supported-learning-options/MP5OPT1/

Possibly also worth looking into special needs sixth forms - there may be some near you.

College isn’t compulsory. Have a look at supported internships and apprenticeships. If college isn’t appropriate have a look at EOTAS and APs.

What provision is currently included in DS’s EHCP? Any therapies, PfA, or anything like Mindjam?

He could apply for level 1 courses at college but will still need to take maths and English along side it, this does not need to be a GCSE it could be functional skills at level 2 which is the equivalent to a C grade or 4 in new grades. This is the same for any apprenticeship he may want to do, he will be expected to achieve the level 2 in English and maths by the time he completes it. The government would like to see all 16-18 year olds stay in education post 16, either full time education , part time with a job or in training, what would happen if he did not attend sorry I don’t know apart from losing child benefit not sure if it would also affect other benefits , have you tried looking at help you choose for ideas?

Have you thought about home educating? You could then work on these subjects at home and enter him in for the exams when he is ready, he would not have to take them next summer. You would have to pay for the exams when he is ready unless he is on a college course/ apprenticeship etc. plus if he was already home educating before the last Friday in June when he would officially leave Y11 , then you would still be able to Claim child benefit . Also no reason why you could not home educate post 16, plenty of online courses offered on line

Normally EHE has to begin before the young person turns 16 rather than the last Friday in June. However, with an EHCP, home education can begin post 16 when the LA assess it as suitable for DC. Having said that, I would pursue EOTAS over EHE.

This is the same for any apprenticeship he may want to do, he will be expected to achieve the level 2 in English and maths by the time he completes it.

The typical expectation for a level 2 apprenticeship is to have a level 1 English and Maths qualification by the end of the apprenticeship. However, for some with an EHCP where that is unachievable they only need at least entry level 3.

I agree with above poster. Pursue EOTAS and AP over EHE.

Your LA coordinator should be monitoring this. Can you call them and set up a meeting?

If this doesn't work your council fund SENDIASS which is a service to help you navigate the best for your son with SEN.

They can give you an idea of direction. It sounds like an alternative approach may do your son good. Keep his ehcp up to date with the LA. They can't just withdraw it. If they try please seek advice from IPSEA.

Would home tutoring work?

My daughter left without any GSCEs and even a special school on a part time timetable was difficult for her to manage

She is now receiving home tutoring and although attendance is not yet 100% she likes it and the tutor is fab

They are working on English and Maths for Functional Skills and a bit of social skills with the goal to engage a bit more in the community

https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/

Check these out. Fill out the contact form and someone from your area will call you to talk through the options they provide for 16+ as an approved alternative to college/employment

I’m not sure if home tuition would work. He had a home and hospital tutor in Y7 after he was asked not to attend his mainstream school and before he started his special school in Y8 and he wouldn’t engage with the tutor at all.

The local college does have SEND pathways/foundation courses but they include all the stuff he’s currently doing which he hates like enterprise and employability.

I don’t know what provisions are in his EHCP. I don’t really understand it. I find all this very difficult. We had the annual review meeting last week and they said he has to do the foundation course at the local college. I just can’t see him engaging with it. I asked what alternative provisions were available and they said only college because he is academically able.

He needs to be in full time education or training. Not education. And certainly not college. There are lots of ways of fulfilling the training requirement. Try to focus on his interests and strengths and work from there to see where it might lead. You will probably have to do quite a bit of hunting to find the right thing. Maybe even find a smell business willing to register as a training provider.

I realise that the horse may have bolted on this front, but is there any way you could get rid of / severly limit his time spent playing computer games inside? To only leave the house once a week, and presumably not have many friends or in-person interactions, sounds extremely worrying to me. Could you try to organise things such that going out, being with people, being active, being in nature, etc, is more attractive than him staying inside almost all the time?

You can name your preferred placement as part of the phase transfer process. When the LA finalise the phase transfer EHCP, you will get the right of appeal if they don’t name your preferred placement. Don’t listen to the LA about what is available.

Start by reading the current EHCP to see what is in there and reading IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites to learn more about EHCPs.

Tuition outside of a school/college setting doesn’t have to be at home and EOTAS doesn’t have to include tuition at all if it isn’t suitable, so don’t rule out EOTAS based on that.

Are there any SEND colleges locally that focus on life skills? Maybe a year there would be good?

If he’s interested in gaming could that be a route?

Although they 'have' to stay in education or training until 18 as far as I can see not much happens if they don't apart from losing child benefit and maybe also NHS prescriptions.
Your main problem is your DS has no interests. I guess you will need to decide is it can't or won't. Is he depressed or lazy or is ASD stopping things.

It’s so difficult. Yes, I think the main problem is the lack of interests and low mood. He’s said he doesn’t want to be here anymore and I just don’t know how to help him.

At least when he plays PS5 he’s downstairs in the living room so I can try and engage him in conversation.

I think all the talk of college is making things worse - is there a cut off date we have to sort it by?

Whereabouts in the country are you/whats the nearest accessible big city. There are some interesting alternative provision options for post-16 but they tend to be small scale taking only 20 students a year per course so very localised and specific to each geographical area.

Can he access Functional Skills courses instead of gcse? You could apply for Lifeskills type courses at college which will embed learning in practical activities and at least give him routine post 16. Might be worth at least attending an open evening to see what Supported Learning is available.

The LA must finalise the EHCP naming the post 16 placement by 31st March. Following the AR meeting the LA should send you a draft with any proposed amendments within 8 weeks and you will be able to state your preferred placement. Your LA may have an internal form they like you to list 3 or so preferences on, but you don’t have to.

Separately to the placement, it sounds like the provision in the EHCP needs improving. DS needs more support and therapies.

If DS games have you looked at Mindjam?
Is DS under CAMHS?

Hello OP I'm in exactly the same situation @NellieBlue. DS has just this week had a week of mocks (which he didnt sit due to anxiety). I could have written your post word for word. Will take on the advice here too, but you're not alone.

Just to add, DS is very interested in photography, and has found a local mentor. Not doing photography GCSE though 😕

@48wheaties if DS needs an EOTAS package, there are lots of photography options around.

Yeah he is under CAMHS, I’ve not heard of mindjam - I’ll have a look

@48wheaties DS also used to be interested in photography - he started photography GCSE but only lasted a few weeks because he didn’t want to follow instructions. He couldn’t see the point in a taking more than one photograph of an object.

If DS is already under CAMHS, have you considered asking about medication?