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.
Students who are staying in full-time further education and are 16-19 would be entitled to the 16-19 Higher Education Bursary of up to £1,200.
16 to 19 Bursary Fund: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
16 to 19 Bursary Fund guide 2023 to 2024 academic year - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Care leavers get a bursary to help with education-related costs if they are aged 16 to 19 and:
- studying at a publicly funded school or college in England - not a university
- on a training course, including unpaid work experience.
- A publicly funded school is one that does not charge for attending it.
There's a different scheme in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
If they are 19 and over, young people could also get a bursary if they:
have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP)
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