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Original poster

16 yr old not going to college...

27 replies

Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 08:15

My 16 yo daughter doesn't want to go to college now she is done with school.. she is really looking for a job but I was just wondering can she claim any kind of benefits?

OP posts:
PamIsAVolleyballChamp · 19/08/2025 08:17

I don't think so, but I think child benefit will stop as she's no longer in education so you could ask dwp? That's if you were getting CB of course!

Original poster
Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 08:19

Yeah money changes for me now with her not going into further education that's what I wasn't sure if she could claim anything for herself now! Thank you I will give them a ring 😊

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 19/08/2025 08:37

There are no benefits a sixteen year old in good health, supported by parents and not pregnant/a mother, can claim. Universal Credit is age 18 except for a few limited exceptions.

Barrenfieldoffucks · 19/08/2025 08:39

Ignoring the money, What's her plan? Does she have any aspirations?

Parsley4321 · 19/08/2025 08:42

She needs to be not thinking about benefits she needs to get a job or continue education. Those are the options

Original poster
Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 08:42

Barrenfieldoffucks · 19/08/2025 08:39

Ignoring the money, What's her plan? Does she have any aspirations?

She is looking for work, she really didn't enjoy school and suffered bad with anxiety, I think Covid had a big impact on everything with her as she missed a lot of school because of it. She is really pushing to look for work but that's proving harder than she originally thought too I think!

OP posts:
SweepTheHalls · 19/08/2025 09:06

She needs to be in education or training until she is 18, so if school or college isn't for her, you need to work together to find her an apprenticeship.

Hitchens · 19/08/2025 09:11

Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 08:42

She is looking for work, she really didn't enjoy school and suffered bad with anxiety, I think Covid had a big impact on everything with her as she missed a lot of school because of it. She is really pushing to look for work but that's proving harder than she originally thought too I think!

Show quote history

resigning herself to unemployment or minimum wage jobs for the rest of her life? She needs to get some kind of education or skills that will help her in employment.

Iloveeverycat · 19/08/2025 09:16

Is there anything she is interested in.

rubyslippers · 19/08/2025 09:16

She should look at doing an apprenticeship
there’s lots of options and she can learn on the job, get some money and it’s not a chalk and talk environment

TeenToTwenties · 19/08/2025 09:20

I suggest she signs up to a college course regardless. Even if a level down on what she can qualify for. FE colleges are very different from schools.

If she later finds a job and drops out (in that order!) she is no worse off than now.

My DD missed all of y11 due to anxiety after covid. College was more manageable for her.

Kindnesscostsnothingtryit · 19/08/2025 09:24

If you are in UK she can't just get a job, she has to stay in education until 18.

Wheelz46 · 19/08/2025 09:38

Are you from the UK? I thought you had to stay in education until you are 18, even with an apprenticeship, don't they still have to do part time education alongside the apprenticeship?

TeenToTwenties · 19/08/2025 09:40

There is 'has to' and reality.

In reality no one official will chase if not in education or training. But benefits will cease / not be able to be claimed.

Original poster
Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 09:44

After looking further into things myself it does state she would have to stay in some for of education or training till she turns 18, it wasn't about the money it was more her curiosity which is why I asked.. she suffers really bad with her anxiety that's why she really didn't want to go back in to education but we will now look at some training courses or something along the lines of.. thank you everyone for commenting it's helped a lot 😊

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 19/08/2025 09:49

Is she likely to pass most things inc maths & English? Even if she does she could start at level 2. This would have advantages:
. Easier course So less workload, could miss days/sessions due to anxiety and still catch up
. Only one year so could drop out then

She can have 3 years at college, so could fo level 2 followed by level 3 (or level1, level2)

Original poster
Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 09:52

TeenToTwenties · 19/08/2025 09:49

Is she likely to pass most things inc maths & English? Even if she does she could start at level 2. This would have advantages:
. Easier course So less workload, could miss days/sessions due to anxiety and still catch up
. Only one year so could drop out then

She can have 3 years at college, so could fo level 2 followed by level 3 (or level1, level2)

No she thinks she failed Maths and English, we get results on the 21st.. she did a pre 16 course at college for her gcse's (school was a big no) and only sat them 2..

OP posts:
TeenToTwenties · 19/08/2025 10:05

Start at level 1 to help get her confidence and see how it goes. She did well to sit the 2, mine couldn't manage both together.

Ritasueandbobtoo9 · 19/08/2025 10:06

She needs to go to a local college who will support her.

Original poster
Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 10:09

Hitchens · 19/08/2025 09:11

resigning herself to unemployment or minimum wage jobs for the rest of her life? She needs to get some kind of education or skills that will help her in employment.

Show quote history

No she isn't resigning herself to that she just doesn't feel ready for college yet! So was looking at what was available for her.. she is very hard working and has came a long way to overcome anxiety and confidence issues due to school and Covid...

OP posts:
CircuitMaze · 19/08/2025 10:17

Is your DD getting on-going help for her anxiety? It would such a shame for this to rule her life at such a young age, and bowing out of education at 16 will have a flow-on effect to the job opportunities offered to her in life.

mac111 · 19/08/2025 10:27

My daughter had a similar attitude to education - although she did get her GCSEs. She’s working in a nursery doing an early years apprenticeship and really likes it. She’s earning money, granted not a lot, but enough considering she still lives at home. She pays a small amount of rent that covers the lost child benefit.

Original poster
Mamaof5ive · 19/08/2025 10:42

mac111 · 19/08/2025 10:27

My daughter had a similar attitude to education - although she did get her GCSEs. She’s working in a nursery doing an early years apprenticeship and really likes it. She’s earning money, granted not a lot, but enough considering she still lives at home. She pays a small amount of rent that covers the lost child benefit.

That is something my daughter would love to do, how do I go about finding a nursery/school that offers apprenticeship? I feel this could be the better option for her 😊

OP posts:
ComfortFoodCafe · 19/08/2025 11:01

No cant claim benefits unless left care till 18.