Advice for after sixth form no uni

[Bleakmidwinter900]

Hi
please can I have advice , my august born child (just turned 16) is currently in year 12 and should be going to the same sixth form for year 13, I’m asking what can she do next after year 13 , she has autism and some health issues she doesn’t want to go / wouldn’t cope at uni , but would like to stay in education as long as possible as it’s good for her and the only time she mixes socially.

I am also wondering what she could do at a college where I would still qualify for child benefit. As a single parent it really helps.

The school are have been good supporting for her additional needs but I’m worried when she leaves she will never be able to work properly.

are colleges usually good with SEN children ?
Currently she is doing one A level course and two others which I think are Btech

many thanks

As a "disabled" august birthday student myself I'd consider a gap year. I graduated with a BSc at 20. I do wish I'd been more mature when I started uni. The early years sector are crying out for people at the moment. It was a long time ago but my mum was sponsored by her employer to do a HND. I know my son's nursery do a similar scheme.

Advice on future options will depend a lot on what she is studying, whether it’s A Levels or BTEcs, and what subjects.

She will potentially have another year of funding (they get 3 Septembers from leaving compulsory education) but your local FE provider is your best bet. There are options in childcare at most FE colleges for post 19 students, many that will come with funding support. An apprenticeship could be an option. She sounds like she will leave with a full level 3, presuming she passes everything at the end of y13, and that’s the point of the 3 years. However, if she shows a different direction (fully vocational, for example) then it’s easy to justify using all 3 years. Most FE providers are having open events now - they are the experts and will be far more knowledgeable than school and strangers on the internet. Good luck to your DD, I hope she finds something to suit.

To be fair OP has made it clear she’s still after claiming child benefit so that’s not going to work.

OP I’m sorry but to me your post comes across more like you are worried about losing CB than anything else.

Once she completes level 3 courses her child benefit stops, it can’t be extended by doing an extra course because funding for the courses stops too.

university locally or higher diplomas are an option, my autistic dd lived at home for her first degree

Yes, you continue to get child benefit until the child turns 20 if they stay in education. Yes, sixth form colleges provide SEN help. If you feel it's proving a bit challenging for your daughter, you can speak to them and either or both years can be repeated - it happens a lot. I would only recommend Uni if the career she wants requires a degree as she'd incur the (rather large) debt. A local university where she can commute is an option. Depending what she'd like to do, she can do further college courses too. Lots of kids also take a gap year and do part time local work to gain confidence and experience. My advice would be to go with the flow and see how she gets on. Kids change a lot between the ages of 16 and 18 so don't stress now trying to predict the future.

I would suggest talking to the senco about applying for an EHCP, but also talk to the school about her options in terms of courses.
post 16 is always much harder to obtain if she’s academically able to study at level 3, and be prepared to battle at tribunal for one, but if she’s unlikely to be able to work, then that is a major factor in securing one.

it will give more course options post 18 and remains with her until 25.

at 16 you can apply for PIP for her, though again it very much depends on what she needs support with.

As well as PIP that you/DD (you don’t say if you are appointee or not) have applied for, have a look at making a credits only New Style ESA claim.

Yes, you continue to get child benefit until the child turns 20 if they stay in education.

Not always. Only full-time non-advanced education.

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I think you are being far too quick in saying she wouldn’t be able to manage a job. If you are telling her this then it really is a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy. My ds is autistic, struggled throughout the education system, yet is enjoying working. It’s fair to say that many jobs he would struggle with, but he has manage to find one that he loves and who treat him well (small team, mainly outside doing practical stuff, min wage). You can’t rely on child benefit forever, my ds now pays a bit of rent that makes up for this (and more). Encourage her to grow and flourish OP. Volunteering also gave my ds some confidence and skills he could bring to the job.