Quick Guide to Post-16 Education

A QUICK GUIDE TO POST-16 EDUCATION

This guide applies to members living in England. For members in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland there may be some differences. Information on those differences can be found from Scottish Further Education Funding Council 0131313 6500, Education and Learning (Wales) 0845 6088066 or the Department of Education (N. Ireland) 02891 279279.

After year 11, young people no longer need to be in compulsory education. Some sign on for work whilst others choose further education. For young people with ME, the choice can be more complicated.

Home Tuition
LEAs are not legally bound to provide an education to over-16s, which means that home tuition is often withdrawn. However, page 19 paragraph 4.12 of the DCSF guidance Access to Education for young people and children with medical needs says:

'A young person's educational needs post-16 should be borne carefully in mind, particularly where he or she has made slow progress up to the age of 16 because of interruptions in educational provision. All agencies should try to enable a pupil to continue any course being taken on entry to hospital or whilst ill or injured at home'

Additionally, section 11 para 219 of the School Sixth Forms Funding Guidance says:

'The DCSF statutory guidance implies that LEAs rather than the LSC (see below) must support post-16 pupils who have had a disrupted year's education pre-16 and as a result have not completed their compulsory education'.

Home tuition may also be possible through the Special Needs Officer of a college, or through a Connexions assessment. (See funding below)

Benefits
If a young person is not in full-time education post-16, it is possible that Child Benefit will be stopped. Instead, a young person aged 16 can claim Incapacity Benefit for Young People, DLA, and/or Income Support. For more information contact the Child Benefit Helpline 0845 3021444 or the Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 882200.

School or college?
Post-16, young people can choose which school or college they attend. For students who need a part-time course, this needs research. Colleges with mixed-age students may be more flexible. Read prospectuses and attend open days early. It is essential to ask for an interview with the Disability Officer/Special Needs Co-ordinator and subject tutors to discuss arrangements and funding. Consideration should be given to the number of years that a young person with ME might be attending. Whilst it is theoretically possible to stay for a third year in a school sixth form, a college with mixed-age students will be able to accommodate a student for longer.

Learning and Skills Council
All post-16 funding is through the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) although, in the case of school sixth forms, it is administered by the LEA. Colleges can allocate their funding as they wish. Section 13 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 gives a statutory duty to have regard for learning difficulties and disability. LSC have regional offices that will advise families who need help. Telephone 0870 900 6800.

Funding 
This subject was covered in the July publication of Link.  If young people are unable to attend full-time college, they may be supported by the Learner Support Fund and/or the Additional Learning Support funding. This funding is for students on a low income or who have particular needs or require special equipment. In school sixth forms this funding can be accessed by a Connexions assessment. In colleges the funding can be accessed through the Disability Officer/Special needs Officer. This funding could provide home tuition. Students or families on Income Support or other means tested benefits can take GCSEs, vocational and A Level courses free.
For funding in colleges Funding Guidance for Further Education
For funding in schools School Sixth Forms Funding Guidance
www.lsc.gov.uk or phone 0870 900 6800

Connexions
Connexions is an advice service for young people aged 13 to 19. Students have access to a personal advisor (PA)who can help with educational and personal issues. PAs work in schools, colleges and the community. Young people can request a PA by ringing their local Connexions office or by contacting Connexions Direct, a phone and web-based service open between 8am and 2am on 080 800 13219 or www.connexions-direct.com.

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
For September 2004 the Government has introduced EMA for students who stay on in the sixth form or go to college on a course with a minimum of 12 hours guided learning. The EMA would be paid direct into a student's bank account. There are five additional bonuses of £100 for students who stay with the course. If there are special reasons for a student staying at school or college for a third year, it will be possible to continue to claim the EMA. The weekly allowance will not be paid during absence.  See page 37 Cheers issues 54 or contact EMA or helpline 0800 121 8989.

Exam concessions
Exam concessions apply to post-16 although there is a difference in the requirements for Special Consideration at AS, A Level and for AVCEs. Other than this, the Access Arrangements and Special Consideration applies to all. Contact the Joint Council 0207 638 4125 (cost £10) or download free www.jcq.org.uk.   AYME has a leaflet about exam concessions available at http://www.ayme.org.uk/article.php?sid=11&id=32

Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
In September 2002 the DDA made it unlawful to discriminate, without justification, against disabled pupils and prospective pupils. The Code of Practice gives guidance on how the two main duties apply to schools and colleges, ie. the duty not to treat people less favourably, and the duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students. In September 2005, physical adjustments to premises must be made if disabled people are at a substantial disadvantage.
For those in school sixth forms: Code of Practice for Schools - Disability Discrimination Act 1995: Part 4
For those in colleges Code of Practice post-16
Publications available from 08457 622 644 or www.drc-gb.org.

A Gap Year
Taking a year out at the end of compulsory schooling can be a good option. Leisure courses with no stressful exams, volunteer work, joining a local society, becoming involved in a local project can take off the pressure and put young people back in control of their lives.

Planning ahead
It is important for young people to plan a pathway for themselves. It is not necessary to have ten GCSEs to progress to Further Education. The UCAS web site www.ucas.com lists all University courses, and prospectuses will give admissions criteria. Admissions Officers will give advice on their minimum requirements. This information can save wasted time and study. Admissions criteria are more flexible for mature students (over-21).

Starting a Job
The Special Needs Career Service offers advice on careers to 16- and 17-year-olds and may have contacts with local employers. For over-17s, the Disability Officer at the Job Centre will be able to help with signing on, claiming Job Seekers Allowance, organising work placements and helping with work preparation.

Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are for 16- to 25-year-olds who would like on-the-job training whilst studying at college. This has been extended to 14- to 16-year-olds, who can spend two days a week in the workplace. A new pre-apprenticeship scheme E2E is now available for those who are not ready for full apprenticeships. For more information on apprenticeships, see page 37 Cheers issue 54, or contact www.apprenticeships.org.uk or helpline 08000 150 600. Details of E2E can be found on www.lsc.gov.uk.

Article last edited on Thursday 12th August 2010                          Printable Version