Guidance for Young People applying for Post 16 education (with an EHCP)
FAQs
What is meant by the term NEET?
(Not in Education, Employment or Training)
Telford & Wrekin SEND continue to work in preventing young people who are not accessing Education, Employment or Training (NEET). Young people who are aged 16-25 with SEND have the opportunity to work with a Future Focus Advisor. For more information about this service and for contact details for Future Focus
Future Focus Website
What is meant by Participation Age?
The government has raised the Participation Age and so those due to leave school in 2019 will need to remain in either education or training until the end of the academic year in which they turn 18. Raising the Participation Age is not the same as raising the school leaving age. Young people will be able to choose the best Post 16 option, and will be able to leave school after year 11 and consider the following options:
• Full-time Education – at a school Sixth Form, a General Further Education College (GFE) etc.
• Supported Traineeship – at a local training provider or a college. This will give young people a minimum of 6 months of work placement and they will be supported by a work mentor.
• Traineeship – at a local training provider or a college. This is for young people who want to develop practical skills through work experience lasting up to six months. It can lead to qualifications up to level 2.
• Apprenticeship – this is done through an employer and can lead to work based qualifications up to level 3.
• Employment with Training – if employed, self-employed or volunteering full time (20 hours or more a week) but a young person must still be in learning for at least 280 hours a year, the equivalent of one day a week during term-time.
For more information on any of the above see:
• www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
• www.ucasprogress.com
• www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
How can I make an appeal or an amendment about a placement?
Where there is a disagreement about a placement you will have the opportunity to meet with your SEND Officer who will work with you, to find the best way forward and resolve any issues. Details of how to contact your SEND Officer’s will be sent out with the draft EHC Plan. This letter provides details of the right to appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) if it is decided it is necessary.
Can a young person apply for a placement in another local authority?
If you would like to apply for a Post 16 placement that is based in another Local Authority area then you will still need to state them in your preference form. Telford & Wrekin LA is required to consult with the placement and, if applicable, the other LA regarding the placement on the student’s behalf.
Please be aware that other LAs may not always be able to offer a place, for example the placement may be full or they may not be able to meet the needs. Therefore it is advisable to include a Telford placement as a preference.
Note: If a young person applies to a setting out of Telford and Wrekin this may effect an application for transport.
What does the Intended Destination Form mean by Home Address?
The home address is the main residence where the young person lives for the majority of the school term. This can be either:
• Owned by the Parent/Carer or the person with parental responsibility.
• Leased or rented by the Parent/Carer or the person with parental responsibility.
If the young person has changed address and is different from the records held, please notify us with the change of address along with proof of residence, such as:
Copy of Council Tax Bill
Copy of Recent Utility Bill
Copy of a Solicitors letter stating that contracts have been exchanged.
Copy of Tax Credit Award Letter
Copy of the Tenancy Agreement with the commencement date, along with a recent utility bill.
If a placement is allocated on the basis of a home address that is found to be different from where the young person’s main residence is, then the placement may be withdrawn.
How will I find out about my Placement?
The LA will send a copy of the draft EHC Plan naming the proposed placement by 12 March 2022. It will inform the young person and their parent/carer of the proposed placement that has been allocated. The letter will explain how to make representations to the Local Authority if they disagree with or have any concerns about the Post 16 placement before the final EHC Plan is issued.
The LA is required to issue a final EHC Plan by 31 March 2022.