Post 16 opportunities

[Jimmyspiano]

Hello,
I am wondering if there are any other young people in a similar position to my son. He is 15 and in year 11 at a mainstream secondary school. He has ASD and learning difficulties. He has always been well supported and happy in school. They are providing lots of help with increasing his GCSE grades.

We do not think that A levels are a good option for him. He would love to attend the 6th form at his school. It is walking distance from our house, familiar and where his friends will go. Even if he did somehow manage to meet the academic criteria to attend he would struggle massively with A levels.

We are looking at other options. He is not particularly practical so mechanics, hairdressing, plumbing etc would not be great for him. We do not think he will meet the entry requirements for our local sixth form colleges. However, he does not meet the criteria for the specialist colleges for young people with special needs. He needs to be told new information much more often and needs alot of reassurance. We need something that has the capacity to allow for him learning a bit more slowly and needing some support.

He is a lovely, kind and patient young man. I think he would be brilliant working with children or older people. He will not even consider looking at a qualification in health and social care. He loves music so our local hospital radio station have agreed to let him volunteer with them once he turns 16.

I think there are probably quite a few young people like our son. What do other young people do?

Thank you

Do any of the colleges DS could get to offer a music course (maybe at a level 1 or 2 if level 3 courses will be too much for DS)? Would DS do a public services course if he would like working with people but wouldn’t do a health and social care or childcare course?

If DS has an EHCP, have you looked at all specialist schools/colleges within travelling distance, including those out of area and independents? You could also look at a supported internship.

Thank you very much for your reply. A public services course sounds like a definite option. I will look into it and suggest it to DS. He does not have an EHCP which is partly why I do not think the specialist colleges would take him. I have not heard of supported internships. I will look that up right now.

Thank you so much for your suggestions. It helps so much to know DS is not the only one.

You would need an EHCP for a specialist college or supported internship. Have you considered requesting an EHCNA?

We have always been told that there is no need to assess him for an EHCP. He has always been happy and well supported in mainstream school. I will ask for a meeting with the SEN team to discuss his options. The school do not start giving careers advice until January. I realised that he would not be eligible for a supported internship when I looked it up. It would be great option for him if he met the criteria.

Thank you for all of the suggestions.

Sadly, many LAs and schools incorrectly tell parents their DC doesn’t need or won’t get an EHCP. Don’t let them put you off making the request yourself.