What happens if they don't get into a course?

[Nelumbo]

My DS hasn't got into the 6th form.
We are going to his 2nd choice college this morning to see what they say, and we have not applied for anything else.

It got me wondering...they have to be education until they are 18 right?, I'm sure he will get something but what happens of they don't? Will the council just place him somewhere, will I be fined if he isn't in education..how does it work!

Don't panic he'll get a place as collected receive money per head like schools, I think.

No, he won't just be given a place anywhere. He could sit around and do nothing and no one would care, he's just not entitled to receive benefits if he's not in education until he's 18.

Thanks Lynette, I wondered if it was a benefit thing as I did get a letter from child benefit saying it would stop unless in education.
You just hear everyone go on about how they have to be in education which isn't the case then.

Nope, DS1 tested the system by sitting in his bedroom for nearly a year

School didn't care, as long as he was registered on a certain day in October to be doing 4 Alevels....they wouldn't let him drop one or change subjects 3 weeks into term....as then they got full funding for him.

When I was at the college yesterday with DS2 there was a poor lad there on his own who hadn't got the grades he needed. The staff were lovely with him and told him there was a course which would suit him, they just had to find out which one it was, and off they took him. The college also have a 30 day check where they ask everyone if they think they're in the right course, and if not help them change them, rather than have them drop out later in the year when it's really too late to change.

Gone are the days of going on the dole at 16, but I'm sure there are quite a few parents like me who fund miserable drop outs for a few months (DS1 now at uni, and taught himself to play the guitar very well during his drop out phase)

They have to be in employment, education or training.

There are lots of college courses for students who are not suited to A Levels.