Your child can legally leave school at the end of the school year when they turn 16, however, they must continue education or training of some form until they are 18 years old.
Neurodivergent young people can face barriers to achieving their goals. This can include being unsure of what their options are, their or other's expectations of what they can achieve and difficulty communicating their views. People who work with your child will begin to help them prepare for adulthood from age 13-14. It is good practice to start at this age, so that there is time for your child to prepare for adulthood and at their own pace.
Schools should work with employers, housing agencies, disability organisations and arts and sports groups to help young people understand what options are open to them in the future.
Your child can legally leave school at the end of the school year in which they turn 16 years old, however, they must continue education to training in some form until the age of 18. They can combine this with paid work or voluntary roles but have several options to choose from. These include:
You can find out a little more about the individual options below.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) it does not have to end after they leave school. Their plan can continue up until they are 25 years old, as long as they still have special educational needs and stay in some form of education or training.
If your child is receiving support for their health or social care, they will move from children's services to adult services around the age of 18 years old. This transition will be managed and prepared for when they are 13-14 years old as part of the annual review of their EHC plan, and all professionals involved in your child's care will be invited.
At 18 years old, your young person can move into paid employment, or continue education and training. There are several options they might like to consider.
University
When a young person moves on to higher education (degree level) their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will automatically end. Support will still be available through the university as they are legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments for students under the Equalities Act 2010.
Examples of support they might provide include:
Other settings
When a young person reaches 18, they are classed as an adult learner. Schools are not set up to provide education for adult learners, but colleges are, so in most cases, a young person cannot stay in school beyond 19 years old.
In exceptional cases, a young person may be able to stay at their school to finish a course that was started before their 18th birthday, but this will depend on individual circumstances in discussion with the school and local authority. Some special schools have further education provision for young people aged 19-25.
Tuition Fees
Tuition in college is free for 16-18-year-olds because further education settings get funding to meet the cost of additional support and reasonable adjustments for all learners with SEND.
Young people over 19 without an EHCP can be charged tuition fees depending on the type of course and level they are studying. Colleges and training providers can sometimes help with course fees at their discretion, while certain courses at college can be free, for example:
Young people aged 19-25 with an EHCP receive free tuition as long as their course meets the outcomes in their EHC plan. If your child wishes to go to university to study higher education, it's worth discussing their plans in their EHCP annual reviews to ensure these outcomes match up.
General Rules For Over 16s
Young people over 16 do not have the same rights to free transport as children of compulsory age, even though 16 and 17-year-olds must stay in education or training.
Transport for 16-19-year-olds is discretionary, meaning local authorities may ask parents for a contribution. Young people's transport will need to be re-assessed at this age, even if they stay at the same school.
Young adults over 19 may be entitled to free transport in some circumstances, and if parents cannot be made to contribute towards transport.
Students With SEND
Local authorities must make arrangements to help young people with SEND to get to their place of education. This is because they:
The LA will look at each case individually, before deciding on suitable transport. If applying for support for transport, you should provide supporting information about your young person's disability and awareness of risk or sensory difficulties that would make it difficult for them to walk or use general transport arrangements.
Financial support is available to students with special educational needs, and in many cases due to their SEND status, young people may be exempt from paying tuition.
16 to 19 Year Olds
Education and training are free for 16 to 19-year-olds because it's expected young people of this age will be:
Young people who need support paying for education-related tools like clothing, books or equipment can apply for support from the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.
Aged 19 & Over
If young people start a new education or training programme when they are over 19, they may be expected to pay tuition fees. They will not have to pay tuition fees if:
Funding For Additional Support
If your young person with SEND needs extra support to help them study, they will not have to pay for that extra support. They should talk to their college or education provider about any special educational needs, and it can help to show the:
Norfolk County Council can provide high-needs funding through your training provider if:
Let us know what you think!
We've been working together in Norfolk and Waveney with families and professionals to put together information, advice and resources that are helpful to families. Let us know what you think, and anything we could change or add to make it even better.
If you live in Norfolk
You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays) and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.
If you are 11-19 you can text ChatHealth on 07480 635060 for confidential advice from one of our team.
If you live in Waveney
Norfolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Norfolk.
Suffolk SEND Local Offer provide information and advice on services for young people with additional needs in Waveney.
Mencap is a national charity who support people with learning disabilities. They offer a free Learning Disability Helpline with advice and guidance. Call 0808 808 1111 to speak to a trained professional.
Kooth offers online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support for anyone aged 10-18, seven days a week until 10pm.
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