Your Post 16 Choices

Your post 16 choices

You have to stay in some form of learning until you're 18 years old.

If you're in England, after Year 11 you can:

• stay in full time education, like school, college or home education
• do work-based learning, like an apprenticeship
• do full time work alongside part time learning that leads to an accredited qualification
• volunteer for at least 20 hours each week and do this alongside part time learning that leads to an accredited qualification
• be self-employed, and do this alongside part time learning that leads to an accredited qualification

It's up to you to make sure you stay in some form of learning until you're 18. You have to make your own decisions about how you want to do this.

What to do if you're having problems on your course

If you're having any problems with your course, talk to:

• your course tutor
• college support workers
• learner support services, sometimes called student wellbeing
• your social worker or personal adviser

If you've started a course but you're not enjoying it, think about swapping to do something else rather than leaving college.

Speak to your tutor and social worker or personal adviser before you make any decisions so that you understand your options. Contact helendann@sthelens.gov.uk who can support you to look for other options.

Personal Education Plan (PEP)

All young people either in EET (education, employment or training), as well as for those who are NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) must have a PEP (Personal Education Plan). The PEP provides an opportunity for young people to:

• express their views to support them to make progress
• achieve targets
• secure future education or employment

PEP Meeting - EET

All Post 16 students require a PEP meeting every term, throughout Year 12 and Year 13. The allocated Social Worker will arrange and attend this meeting as well as inviting the young person to their PEP. The document is completed by the Designated Teacher at the educational or vocational setting the young person is at.

PEP Meeting - NEET

If a young person is NEET the PEP will still be arranged as EET above by the social worker to include all supporting agencies involved.

This is to establish a current snapshot of the young person and be able to monitor and refer to support services as appropriate.

The PEP document is completed by the post 16 PEP Co-ordinator.

16 to 19 Bursary Fund

If you're a looked after child or young person or have recently left authority care to go into further education or training, you may be eligible for a 16 to 19 guaranteed bursary fund.

You must be:

• at least 16 and under 19 on 31 August
• studying at a publicly funded school or college or be on an unpaid training course

The Virtual School continues to offer support and monitor progression within education, employment and training to young people who have left Year 11 and are aged 16 and 17. We do this by working with colleagues from social care and providers who deliver the education and training to our young people. The PEP remains a legal process until 18 years of age, though we remain available throughout Year 13.

Through the PEP process we promote discussion and actions focused on better outcomes in welfare, engagement, attainment, SEND support and progression within the setting. For those young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) we work to secure targeted support from a named worker appropriate to the young person's needs.

Our aim is to enable each child in care the chance to flourish in adulthood. The support that each young person receives to make that happen is vital.

Our support for Post 16 learners starts in Year 11. Our Post 16 Lead works alongside colleagues who monitor the progress and attainment of Year 11 pupils to identify those young people who require additional support to make the next step. This includes those young people who may need extra support to find a suitable Post 16 pathway or those at risk of becoming NEET - not in education, employment or training. A multi-agency approach is used so that each young person gets the most appropriate support for their needs.

Schools are expected to provide strong Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG) support for children in care and may find it useful to use our Year 11 transition checklist to ensure that Year 11 pupils are aided as much as possible when making decisions about their next steps into Post 16.

In Years 12 and 13, our Post 16 Lead liaises with each Post 16 provider to track our cohort. Attendance and engagement as well as Personal Education Plans (PEPs) are monitored on a termly basis. Close working with social care means that those who need additional support to find or maintain a place in education, employment or training are referred to appropriate services/organisations who can provide the required support.

Post 18

Our support for young people does not stop once they complete their Post 16 programme. Once a young person moves into Year 14 and/or onto Post 18 provision, we identify their destination and to monitor their progress liaising with Leaving Care Personal Advisers (PA's). For those who are NEET, referrals can be made by PA's to our P18 Multi-agency NEET Panel, who can support and signpost to appropriate services.

Here are some useful websites that can be accessed if you need specific information about post-16 options/pathways and the support that is available to care leavers.

St Helens Local Offer for Care Leavers

There are detailed information about services available that can support care leavers and those preparing to leave care. Things that are covered include:

• Education and Training
• Employment
• Participation in Society
• Accommodation
• Health & Wellbeing
• Relationships
• Finances

National Careers Service

Plenty of careers information, advice and guidance available to help you with decisions on your future pathways.

Explore what kind of jobs are available through their careers database which outlines the skills and qualifications required for each role as well as general overview of what the job involves, the typical working hours and average salary.

See where your skills fit by taking their skills assessment. Visit the website: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Prospects

Another website that can help with searching for the correct pathway for you whether it's looking for basic careers advice (CVs, interview tips etc.), information about jobs and work experience (apprenticeships, job profiles etc.) or considering university (search for courses, finances etc.). Visit the website: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/

Complete University Guide

Search through their database to explore courses available at universities in the UK including information on modules, tuition fees, entry requirements and information about the university. They also have an advice section with guides on financial support, UCAS application, writing personal statements and student life. Visit the website: https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/

UCAS - UCAS | At the heart of connecting people to higher educ

Apprenticeships For apprenticeships with St Helens and the wider Liverpool city Region see: Apprenticeship Vacancies - BeMore (lcrbemore.co.uk)

Search on the gov.uk site to see the apprenticeships that are available: https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Coram Voice

Coram Voice is an advocacy service that can help you understand your rights as a child in care or care leaver and help you get your voice heard if needed. Visit the website: https://coramvoice.org.uk/