Legalities of education after 16

[stressssedd]

Can someone please explain to me is it the law that education has to be till 18
What happens if a 17 year old refuses to go ?
What can be done ?

I’m not sure what the law is, but you will definitely not be entitled to child benefit if they drop out.

No penalties can be applied.
Local authority has to ensure opportunities are available
If kids doesn't go, not much you can do

childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/participation-of-young-people-in-education-employment-or-training/

I know a few teens you have dropped out of college courses or a levels because it wasn't right for them. Some have gone and got a job. No one seems to have followed up with what they are doing since they left education. One has now turned 18 (but would still come under the school year group of Year 13). I can't see how anyone could insist he has to go back to school. He has a perfectly fine full time job. My niece is doing an apprenticeship but when it started it didn't start in September (ie at the begining of the academic year) but a few months later. The place gave her a 'job' while she was in this limbo but she got paid the pathetic apprenticeship wage. She wasn't allowed to go and get a tempory job at a supermarket or somewhere because it would go over her legal hours - even though the apprenticeship hadn't officially started. It is just daft. A great many 16/17 just don't want to be in Education. They want to be in work.

My 16yr old isn't in college anymore but working full time, we've stopped child benefit but nothing else happened at all. I expected the LEA to make contact but absolutely nothing. It appears to be non enforceable (around here at least, no idea elsewhere)

They legally need to be in education or training so that could included apprenticeship or armed forces. It’s not legally enforceable in terms or making them go into education but they can’t work full time or claim benefits.

Basically it can't be legally enforced but you'll lose child benefit if they're not in education.
Depending on your local authority processes/the last education provider they were enrolled with, you may be contacted by the EET team who will try to offer support, but if the 17 year old refuses to engage there's really not a lot that will happen.