Post 16 options for ds... at a loss.

[HazeyjaneIII]

Ds (14) is in a great special school. Unfortunately it is great up until 16 and then he will have to go to college, as the school sixth form isn't suitable.
The one thing they aren't great with is providing any info on next steps after 16, and dh and I are strugging in finding info about the best options.
Ds has complex needs as a result of a rare genetic condition. He has mild learning disabilities, some physical and health issues and autistic tendencies (on a neverending pathway to a diagnosis). He is not very keen on socialising or talking, he has quute high anciety.
He loves gaming and computers and building things with his hands. Good functional skills in maths and English.
Ideally he'd like to do something with computers, but most of the specialist colleges locally and in the wider area seem to focus on outdoor skills, which he doesn't enjoy.
We live in Wiltshire, but to be honest would be happy to move if the right place was there for ds.
Thankyou!

You probably need to ask your LA for a list of their alternative providers. I waded through ours recently. It had various providers that did outdoor learning but also some that did music, art and other things. There was nothing suitable for my dd and we ended up with a 1.1 to take her out to different activities but this is just temporary. Hope you find something suitable.

Be aware if you move LA, the new LA will review the EHCP and potentially amend, reassess or propose to cease to maintain. You would have the right of appeal, but it is something you need to be aware of.

You can search for placements here and here. There may be settings you aren’t aware of. Have you looked at Meadow Bridge? Or are DS’s physical and health needs too complex?

You can see Wiltshire’s AP catalogue here. If you go down the EOTAS/EOTIS (with or without the C on the end), don’t accept what the LA’s AP catalogue states as the only possible options. Despite what Wiltshire will tell you, you are not limited to only those providers. You can also use providers in other LAs if they are within travelling distance. If DS likes computers, the obvious two to look at are Player Ready and first coding (the AP catalogue says to 16 but still worth speaking to them to see if they can offer anything), If DS can manage online provision there are loads more (e.g. mindjam, Enemy of Boredom, Oxford computer science, Gecko). APs are opening all the time. By the time DS is post 16, there may be new ones.

What is he studying now and how is he achieving?