DS wants to change track completely

[abreakplease]

Hoping someone can offer some advice on how to manage this. DS17 has been doing a BTEC Level 2 for a year after his GCSEs. He got a Merit and seemed to be happy enough to move to Level 3 next week, but over summer had a complete change of heart.

It is quite a niche area - Animal Management - and he says he now wants to keep his options as wide open as possible as he really has no idea what he wants to do. He is keen to do something like Sociology, Geography - Humanities subjects which are A level.

His GCSE results were 4s and 5s so not great, hence taking a year at Level 2 to step back a bit. He has an EHCP for autism and processing issues, so learning isn't easy. Again why something hands on and vocational SEEMED like the answer.

I am going to call the LA on Monday about how to go about it, and I absolutely know that he will find Level 3 at A level or BTEC hard, but he wants to do it. Anyone been in the same boat, or know if we have a hope in hell of getting into a sixth form college at this point?

My DD with ehcp did 2 years at level 1 at college, then a year out with work experience and functional skills English, then returned to college for a level 2 year.

@flawlessflipper Is that written anywhere re scope of education? Plus what can I realistically expect the LA to do to put any of this in place or is this going to be down to me (putting life on hold again!) to sort out a plan for him? He isn't at the stage where he can do this himself, he is overwhelmed by options I think

Not sure his current college can help in terms of careers advice or changing course as it is a very niche college with outdoor type courses only

Unfortunately, it is extremely likely that you will have to drive this. The LA would be happy to sit back and offer nothing or very little. It saves them money! Start by thinking about what DS enjoys.

Specialist careers advice is something that can be written into F of the EHCP.

The definition of special educational provision is set out in section 21 of the Children and Families Act 2014. This show special educational provision is educational or training provision that is additional to or different from provision normally provided. It doesn’t go into detail about what exactly is educational or training, but there is various case law. Section 21(5) is the specific part that covers health and social care provision actually being deemed special educational provision if it educates or trains. This can include mental health support (including therapies that wouldn’t be available on the NHS), OT, SALT, etc. For an overview of the legislation and case law, have a look at the Noddy guide.