son non attending college with anxiety

[Milhello]

Hi, my 17 year old has social anxiety, he's thinking of online A levels as currently feels unable to attend college ( started Sept) Does anyone have experience of this or know of any financial support to fund it, thanks, S

Look at the National extension college. It’s a lot of money though.

Would another route be better? Speak to the college as they’ll be able to advise about options.

A different option could be to use money on private therapy so he can restart in September and attend in person. It depends on how bad the anxiety is and the cause for it etc.
How supportive is college? Do they provide quiet areas, let him choose where to sit in class, etc.?

Is he not attending at all, or patchy? DD missed all of y11 due to anxiety/depression and is on ~80% now in y12. Being in college has been so important for her recovery, and she tends to go backwards in the holidays.

If DS was compulsory school age the LA would have a duty to provide alternative arrangements if he couldn’t attend due to his MH. Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply to post 16 pupils, the only way to secure support for post 16 pupils unable to attend due to their mental health is by applying for an EHCNA. An EHCP can fund internet schooling, and has the benefit of being able to include therapies as well.

In case it is a consideration, if you claim child benefit it will stop if you EHE as in order to claim CB EHE needs to begin before they are 16 or they have an EHCP.