The majority of young people with SEN moving from school to the next phase in their education will access their local mainstream college or training provider. Reasonable adjustments will be made so that any special educational needs can be met and each young person is supported effectively to prepare them for adulthood. 

If you are a young person with SEN these reasonable adjustments should enable you to access the qualifications that you will need to enter employment, higher education or to take part and work related activity in line with their aspirations.  

Dudley local authority works closely with local colleges and training providers to increase capacity and provide greater choice and influence for young people with SEND . We also work closely with neighbouring local authorities to extend opportunities and provide greater choice across the region for our young people.

FAQ
It is hoped that many young people who have had additional support from an EHCP during their time in school will have benefitted from this and will now be independent and able to access a college course, apprenticeship or training course without the need for an EHCP as outcomes have been achieved. Where this is the case, a careful transition will be planned , and information shared about the special educational needs of a young person so that the transition to college is successful.  

For others, the EHCP will continue but will be reviewed at least annually. At each review we will look at how much progress you have made and whether you have achieved your outcomes.  This may result in the EHCP being amended or ceased if all outcomes are achieved. As a young person, you will always be involved in such decisions.  
If you have an EHCP your transition to post 16 will include support from Connexions to identify the most appropriate provisions available for your chosen pathway. The SEN team be responsible for naming the placement in Section I of the EHCP. This will mean that following your final annual review at school your EHCP will be amended, and the SEN Team will consult with your chosen provider before issuing a final EHCP naming the new education setting or training provider. 

FAQ
If you have a special educational need (SEN) and no EHCP you should still receive support with transition to the college that you choose.  
Your SENCo should make the college or training provider aware of any SEN that you may have. This will ensure that you have the additional support that you need in order to access your chosen course.  
It is the responsibility of your school to ensure that you have access to the right information to support your next steps. This may include a referral to the Connexions service. 

FAQ
Sometimes families may choose to educate their child/children at home. This is called elective home education. If you are home educated you can still go to college. The Connexions service will contact you to help you to look at your next steps. This includes identifying a suitable college, apprenticeship or training provider. If you have an EHCP you will need to contact the SEN Team and discuss your decision with them. They will review your EHCP to make sure that it is up to date and accurate so that it provides all of the information needed to support you to prepare for adulthood.  
If you are home educated and do not have an EHCP you will have support from your Connexions Adviser to discuss this with the college or training provider.  

FAQ
Once you leave compulsory education (this is usually at the end of the academic year in which you turn 16 years i.e.  once you have completed Year 11 at school) the right to make decisions about your education, training or employment will transfer to you, rather than your parents.  
If you have an EHC plan the following decision making rights will apply to you from the end of compulsory school age:  
• the right to request an assessment for an EHC plan (which they can do at any time up to their 25th birthday)  
• the right to make representations about the content of their EHC plan  
• the right to request that a particular institution is named in their EHC plan 
• the right to request a Personal Budget for elements of an EHC plan  
• the right to appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEN and Disability) about decisions concerning their EHC plan  
This does not mean that you have to make decisions on your own. Your parents or other family members can continue to support you to make decisions provided that you are happy for them to do so. You may also  want family members to help you in other practical ways such as receiving letters and emails on your behalf and/or  supporting you to fill in forms, attend meetings and make phone calls.   
SENDIASS can also support you to make decisions and talk to you about your options or help you in practical ways. 

For young people aged between 16 and 18

The local authority and your education setting may also want to involve your parents and/or family members if they have any concerns about you including your attendance, behaviour or welfare. This is because child safeguarding law applies to children and young people up to the age of 18.  

You will be able to find out more about each of these colleges by clicking on the link which will take you to the college website. You can also discuss these options with staff in your school and your Connexions adviser who will be able to provide independent advice and support.  

Halesowen FE College

Halesowen  College   is located just outside of Halesowen town. The college has one main campus with a smaller campus locally and provides a bus service for it’s students. The college offers a range of vocational and academic courses (through Dudley Sixth). Courses offered are at a range of levels from Entry 2 to Level 5 as well as specialist courses and support e.g ESOL and SEN.

Dudley FE College

Dudley  College is mainly located in Dudley Town centre although has some locations in Brierley Hill. The college offers a range of vocational and academic courses (through Dudley Sixth). Courses offered are at a range of levels from Entry 2 to Level 5 as well as specialist courses and support e.g ESOL and SEN.


King Edward 6th Form College

King Edward 6th Form College is located in Stourbridge and is recognised as one of the top performing sixth form colleges nationally. They offer exclusively level 3 courses, with the majority being A levels in a range of subjects.

 

Schools with a 6th form can offer a range of courses including academic and vocational options and will be able to put in place the support needs that you require to access your chosen pathway. You can find out more about what each school has to offer by looking at their website:  


Skills UK

Skills UK are a national training provider with a centre in Dudley town centre. They offer a range of opportunities including apprenticeship programs, traineeships and a study program alongside vocational training.


Nova Training

Nova training is a national training provider with local centres in Netherton and Lye. They offer a range of opportunities including apprenticeship programs, traineeships and a study program alongside vocational training. 

Juniper Training

Juniper training is a national training provider which has a local centre in Brierley hill. They offer a range of opportunities including apprenticeship programs, traineeships and a study program.

 

NACRO

NACRO is an Education and skills centre that focus on supporting young people to realise their potential and gain the skills, knowledge and experience to progress onto either further education, training, or work. Their Education centres work in partnership with the communities in which they are based and collaborate with leading industry experts and local businesses to ensure their programmes provide the teaching, skills and learning opportunities needed for the future.

If you already have an EHCP you may already be attending one of our special schools, As a young person attending one of these schools you may wish to stay on until you are 19.

Independent Specialist School/College
Occasionally, young people with an EHCP with complex and significant SEN that cannot be met through reasonable adjustments within a local setting may require more specialist support.  
 
To access a placement at one of these settings you will need to speak to your Connexions Adviser and the SEN Team case officer who will discuss your options with you.  

Local independent specialist settings: 
 
Other specialist education settings approved by the secretary of state can be found on the following link:  
 

You may also wish to contact the Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) to receive free and impartial advice and support about what you can expect from your school, the college and the LA as well as services that you may be able to access as you transition into adulthood and take the next important steps toward becoming independent.  

Useful Contacts
SEN Team - senteam@dudley.gov.uk 01384 814360
Connexions -Connexions@dudley.gov.uk 01384 811400
SENDIASS - dudley.sendiass@dudley.gov.uk Dudley SENDIASS Telephone Number: 07824 543233, 07900 161363 or 07929 777744 

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