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Information & advice

Post-16 education

As a parent or carer, you want to ensure your child has access to the right support, opportunities, and environments to help them thrive in the next stage of life.

This guide breaks down the post-16 pathways, explains how support can continue after school, and outlines the actions you can take to help your child prepare and make informed decisions.

In this guide:

Different types of post-16 education Graduated Approach & EHCPs Next steps Helpful resources

Different types of post-16 education

When your child turns 16, they must continue in education or training until age 18, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay in school. There are a wide variety of pathways available as they transition to adulthood, each offering different ways to explore further education, work, and personal growth.

 

Further education colleges

Further education colleges offer a variety of courses, including academic qualifications like A-levels , vocational qualifications such as BTECs or NVQs, and technical qualifications called T Levels. For young people with SEND, these colleges often offer additional support services, such as learning support teams and specialist staff to meet specific needs.

If your child thrives in a more independent environment but still needs extra help, further education colleges could be a great fit.

Action to take:

  • Visit college open days and speak with the SEND team
  • Ask about their learning support services
  • Request a careers meeting in Year 10 or 11 to explore this route

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship combines work and study, allowing young people to earn money while gaining practical, hands-on experience in a real job. This option can be ideal for young people who learn best through doing rather than in a classroom setting.

Apprenticeships are available in a wide range of industries, from manual trades and office work to science and creative fields. There are various levels of apprenticeships, so young people can start at an entry-level position and work their way up.

This option can provide a clear pathway to employment while earning a qualification.

Action to take:

  • Look at opportunities on Find an Apprenticeship
  • Talk to a careers advisor at school or college about suitable industries
  • Check what support the employer and training provider can offer for SEND needs

In the workplace with SEND

Watch this video where we meet Charlie, a young person with SEND, as he navigates a typical workday at Marwell Zoo, sharing his experiences and valuable tips.

Watch video

Traineeships

If your child is not yet ready for an apprenticeship, a traineeship can serve as a great steppingstone. These short programmes focus on building employability skills, improving qualifications in English and maths, and gaining essential work experience.

Traineeships are designed to prepare young people for the next stage in their career, whether that’s an apprenticeship, a job, or further study. They provide the support needed to build confidence and skills before taking on more responsibility in the workplace.

Action to take:

  • Contact your local college or training provider about traineeships
  • Ask how they tailor support for learners with SEND

Supported internships

Supported internships are designed specifically for young people with SEND who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). They are structured, work-based study programmes usually lasting a year and are based primarily at an employer’s workplace.

Interns stay enrolled with a school or college and get help from a learning provider, but around 70% of their time is spent gaining real work experience. Alongside this, they follow a personalised study plan which can include subjects like English and maths.

Supported internships are a great way to get hands-on experience, build confidence, and develop independence, all while working towards the goal of paid employment.

Action to take:

  • Ask your local authority or college if they offer supported internships
  • Speak with the SEND team at school about whether this pathway is suitable
  • Find out what job coaching and employer support is included

University

For young people who want to continue their education, university is an option to consider. Many universities now offer tailored support services for students with SEND.

Your child may also be eligible for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which provides extra funding for support such as note-takers, assistive technology, or additional time for exams.

Action to take:

  • Research universities’ disability support services
  • Start preparation early (Year 11 onwards) if this is a long-term goal
  • Talk to school staff about appropriate A-levels or access courses

Online learning

Online learning is becoming more popular, and for young people with SEND, it can offer the flexibility they need. With online courses, students can work from home, set their own pace, and focus on subjects that interest them.

This can be a particularly good choice for those who find traditional learning environments overwhelming or need to work around other challenges. There are many courses available online, from short qualifications to full academic degrees, so you can find a programme that suits your child’s needs.

Action to take:

  • Explore platforms like OpenLearn, FutureLearn, or local college online courses
  • Support your child in setting goals and creating a routine for learning at home

Developing soft skills

While academic qualifications are important, soft skills are just as essential for success in the workplace and everyday life. Skills such as communication, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork are valuable assets that young people with SEND can develop.

These skills can also be developed through volunteering, group activities, or even informal interactions at home or in the community. There are also short courses available online that focus specifically on building soft skills. Many employers highly value these skills, so they’re worth investing time in.

Action to take:

Graduated Approach and EHCPs

Even though the Graduated Approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review) isn’t legally required post-16, many colleges and training providers continue to use it to monitor and adjust support.

If your child has an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan), it should remain in place as long as they are in education or training (up to age 25). Your local authority is responsible for annual reviews of the EHCP, ensuring appropriate support and placements are provided.

Planning the next steps

There are many different avenues for young people when they leave school and as a parent, it’s important to have conversations with your child, their teachers, and careers advisors to help understand what they feel most confident and comfortable with.

When attending post-16 settings, it’s a good idea to ask questions about how they will be supported. If you’re unsure where to start, our Questions to Ask Post-16 Settings guide can help.

We’ve also got a great Questions to Ask Post-16 Settings guide for young people over on our Young People’s Hub.

Timeline of steps to prepare

Each young person is unique, and the best path is one that suits their individual strengths, needs, and interests.

Here’s a helpful timeline to support your child in planning their next steps beyond school:

Year 9 (Age 13–14):
  • Start conversations about life after school
  • If they have an EHCP make sure the review includes preparing for adulthood
Year 10–11 (Age 14–16):
  • Explore different settings (colleges, traineeships, etc.)
  • Attend open days and speak to SEND staff
  • Ask about transition planning – what support will continue post-16?
Age 16–18:
  • Help your child apply for courses or training
  • Ensure support is in place with the new setting
  • If your child has an EHCP, make sure it is updated to reflect post-16 needs

Helpful resources for young people

Young People’s Hub

Our Young People’s Hub offers a safe space to connect with peers, share experiences, and access advice.

We have tips, videos, and advice on post-school pathways, finding a job, what it’s like in the workplace with SEND, and transitioning to adulthood.

Young People's Hub

National Careers Service: Skills assessment

Take a skills assessment to identify your child’s skills, explore their interests and help discover a career that they might enjoy.

Skills assessment

National Careers Service: Find a course

Search for online and classroom courses to help develop key skills for the workplace.

Find a course

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