FE College with SEN and maybe EHC Plan

[Calmed]

I am writing on behalf of a friend. I was wondering what kind of help young people with autism get at mainstream college, especially if they have come from a special school?

Does anyone have a young person who gets one to one in class/outside class, extra lessons, quiet room etc? Just wondering what kind of help can be offered at a mainstream college?

It's probably a good idea to contact the learning support departments of individual colleges and ask. Also open evenings are happening at the moment so its worthwhile going along to these. One to one support should be possible with an EHCP.

They can give 1:1 support if written into the EHCP plan. I have to admit though we are struggling to tie down support for ds1 when he starts at his FE college in September (a move from a special school). This is for two reasons (A) ds1 has decided he does not need any support and in particular does not want a 1:1 TA to label him out from his peers and (B) The LEA are dragging its heels in issuing a revised statement (and , yes, a formal complaint has now been sent in). On the other hand a friend has been much more successful in pinning down for her dd at a different FE college which includes a 1:1 TA and social support group.

We are going through this process too (year 10 so relatively early). I have a friend who is a 1:1 in an FE college who says they are well aware that some do not want to be singled out by the TA's presence and can arrange things so for example they just sit in on the class making notes and see the student in the learning support area later to go through the lesson. It's hard knowing what they will need if like mine the EHCP was written based on EP assessments done at primary school age.

Thank you - yes, she is just trying to get an idea of what kind of help can be available at college - and not just relying on the colleges telling her what they are willing to provide - I'm presuming that like schools, some colleges are better at offering help and being innovative/flexible than others.

Old thread I know but I got this at my college, and also found staff really understanding and helpful, they really push learning about ASD among staff and students.
If you're in or around London it might be worth a look, the college is St Francis Xavier Sixth Form College.