Post-16 Options for Students with SEND
If you’re currently in Years 9, 10 or 11 with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND), there’s a range of options available when you leave school. Stockport Council’s Post-16 Education & Training Guide for students with SEND can help you learn more about what you can study, where you can study it, the support available and how to make decisions about what you want to do next.
Preparing for Adulthood
From Year 9 on review meetings at school will include a focus on “Preparation for Adulthood”. This is important because it gives you the chance to talk about what you want for your future. You will talk about the ways in which your education, health care, and social care options can help prepare you for adult life.
Whilst you are going through your review meetings and starting to consider what you might like to do once you leave school, it’s a good idea to know what your choices are. These include:
Full-time education (with a school, college or specialist training provider)
Work-based learning (such as a traineeship or apprenticeship)
Part-time education or training (if you are employed or volunteering at least 20 hours per week)
Students with SEND can choose to study academic courses, vocational and/or technical courses, or work-based courses. Sometimes people do a combination of all three! It depends on you and how you feel you learn best.
Making Decisions
All of these options and choices can make you feel overwhelmed – but remember you can talk to your school’s careers advisor, a teacher, or family.
If these aren’t available, or you would prefer some specialist advice, you can speak to the Stockport Education and Careers Advice Service (ECAS). This service provides independent and impartial careers information, advice and guidance for young people and students with SEND in schools and in the community.
Once you have more information on your options and what’s available locally – talk to your teachers, family, and friends about what you’ve learnt. These conversations will help you think through the different choices and support you to make a decision.
