Further education colleges, sixth form colleges and specialist colleges have similar statutory duties to schools and academies. More information on this can be found in Chapters 7 and 8 of the SEND Code of Practice.
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If your young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), this will be reviewed each year.
Post 16 education providers are given resources to support students with SEND. Colleges receive funding from the Education Funding Agency for all 16–18-year-olds and for those aged 19-25 who have EHCPs, and they must not charge tuition fees for these young people. Colleges are funded by the Skills Funding Agency for students aged 19 and over who do not have an EHCP.
19- to 25-year-olds with SEND but without EHCPs can choose to remain in further education. Colleges can charge tuition fees for these students but must use their best endeavours to provide support for a young person’s additional needs.
If your young person is under any specialist health services, it is important that you let the school know about them so they can invite any relevant health practitioners or ask them for updates. In the run up to transition, this helps to make sure that everything is well coordinated for your young person.
A local authority can decide to take away, or end, a young person’s EHCP if it decides that it is no longer necessary because:
- The young person has taken up paid employment (excluding apprenticeships)
- The young person has started higher education (university)
- A young person aged 18 or over has left education and no longer wishes to engage in further learning
- The young person has turned 25
- The young person or young person has moved abroad
- The young person has met the outcomes as specified in their EHCP
The local authority will issue a ‘cease to maintain notice’ in writing to the parent or young person, stating the reasons why, after consulting with the young person / their parents and the head teacher at their school or college. The young person can appeal if they disagree with the local authority’s decision.
The information on how to appeal the decision to end a young person’s EHCP will be included in the ‘cease to maintain’ letter and you or your young person can also get advice and support from Rotherham SENDIASS. Visit the SENDIASS website.
This is an impartial advice and support service for parents or carers for a child or young person up to age 25 with special educational needs or disabilities and for the young people themselves.
