Unsure what path to take

[duvet]

DD2 (ASD) has completed 1 year BTEC Performing Arts but has decided that she doesn't want to do year 2 because the course involved quite a lot of group work and she got quite anxious with her peers and didn't feel she fitted in, she almost quit in the last term & only carried on because we & her tutors said she'd be crazy to quit when so close to completing first year successfully. Despite being adamant she does not want to do year 2 she doesn't know what else she wants to do, apart from wanting to stay in college because she feels it's more comfortable than getting a job for now. She likes children but doesn't want to go into teaching, but Childcare is the only thing I can suggest as an option. She doesn't do that well in exams much better in coursework, hoping she passes english & maths resit. She doesn't play any instruments, she's not that sporty or arty, drama is her hobby. She is very anxious about what to do & I don't know what to say, she's a little immature for her age & finds it all a bit overwhelming to make decisions about the future but time is ticking to make a decision!! Anyone else faced a similar dilemma?

How old is your dd? She needs to stay in education until she is 18 so try contacting her tutor later this week (as they may be in) to set up a meeting and get your dd support to go back in Sept.

It’s a shame if she enjoys the subject she’s doing and only stopping because she’s uncomfortable, I’d talk to the tutor to try and resolve in that instance.

If it’s the course itself I’d help her find something else.

I did a Btec in nursery nursing at a similar age. It was the equivalent of 2 A levels. It can lead to working in a private nursery, as a nanny or in a school. It was coursework based and I really enjoyed it. Not sure if they offer the same qualification now but worth looking in to.
How is she with animals, are there any courses working with them that might interest her.

It's not common but you can sometimes take units from one BTEC subject and use them to count towards a different one.

I'm assuming this is level 3 BTEC.

If she likes drama she could look into running a drama school for children, a BTEC or similar in bussiness or enterprise course would help with that.

Health and Social Care (my subject so I'm biased) can lead to a lot of things, students tend to go into healthcare routes but can also use it to get into teaching (not that your DD wants to do that).

What was she going to do after the drama course? Finding work would have been very difficult. So why not look at childcare? I think it’s sad she felt she didn’t fit in but at least with childcare, there are jobs. I think I would take a pragmatic stance. Or look for basic level apprenticeships near you. Does the college run any of these?

If she wants to stay at the college, perhaps a starting point is to speak to them and see what spaces they currently have available for September- probably best to do this before GCSE results day, as they'll likely want to place a current student first.

I agree that health and social care could be a good option, and could lead to a wide range of careers, including childcare?

Will she come out with a qualification for the first year of her performing arts btec? It may be worth seeing if it can be certificated as an extended certificate or similar.

Thank you so much for your responses - not into animals - yes we have talked to the tutor previously when she quit in April but together we managed to say that she had to at least finish the year, so that was helpful. The tutors were understanding but think it's more her perception of things, because of her asd she misunderstands as a consequence has withdrawn herself from the group, plus they are all quite strong personalities as it's a drama course!

We've tried to persuade her to stick with it but she's adamant & gets very upset.
@TizerorFizz@sashh I was also thinking that she probably more chance of job opportunities with childcare at least until she builds up her confidence more & she can still go to Drama group etc. Thank you for suggestions it does help!

DD1 did Travel & Tourism.

Although she always struggled with peers she was good with people on a superficial level. Plus she liked clear rules to follow. She ended up doing Hotel Reception which suited her well.

That said with grade 3 English any level 3 BTEC/T-Level is likely to be a push from the written side of things.

I agree to an extent about the GCSEs, and grade 3 maths may also be a limitation on some health and social care modules.

But there could be lots of reasons for poor GCSE performance, so it might be worth seeing what she gets this year.

OP, did she resit in November as well?

@duvet You're welcome.

IF she does go on to HSC then she will have to do a work placement, she can ask to do that in a child care centre / nursery or something similar.

She only did a resit in English in November but she wasn't in a great place mentally then - she is only a few marks off passing so here's hoping! There are two BTEC's in H & S offered one that specifically is Child Care and Development, but yes thanks for the reminder of how much writing there will be!!!