Are You Ready for This? Post-16 and Post-19 Transitions.

Sarah
Apr 30, 2024
4 min read

Updated: May 5

This article discusses Post-16 and Post-19 EHCP transitions, the education landscape after school, and why you must prepare for this at the beginning of Key Stage 4. It also offers practical tips, advice, and guidance to support you.

This article discusses Post-16 & -19 EHCP transitions, the education landscape after school, why you must prepare for this at the beginning of Key Stage 4, and offers practical tips, advice and guidance to support you.

Post-16 and Post-19 are the often-overlooked final stages of the EHCP journey, and, don't shoot the messenger, they are the hardest of all.

If you have not been preparing for these last stages—and they will happen—you will find yourself in an almost constant cycle of appeal. The time between phase transitions from Primary to Secondary and Secondary to Post-16 can lull you into a false sense of security. Post-16 speeds towards Post-19 like a Bugatti Chiron between two sets of Gatso cameras. The destination and the journey merge into a blink of an eye.

Add to this the realisation that if you were at appeal for Post-16, those essential reports are now over 18 months old. As far as another appeal is concerned, these are old news—out of date—and will need to be, at the very least, updated with an addendum from the professional involved.

If this wasn't enough, you won't have your Final EHCP issued until 31st March. In contrast, all previous Phase Transition groups received theirs by 15th February. Appeal dates for hearings before September will be thin on the ground. There is no time to lose, or you risk not securing a date until early Autumn. And if you haven't booked appointments with professionals to update those reports, there are no prizes for correctly guessing the likelihood of their availability.

Our Annual Review Webinar Event will provide all the support you need to ensure the process works for your child's EHCP and that it is in the best possible place for Post-16 and future transitions.

Education Placements Post-16/19

If there is a drought when it comes to Secondary school places, it's an arid desert for Post-16 and Post-19.

These Phase Transitions are not to be taken lightly. What can you do to navigate this?

Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

The EHCP is anticipatory—it looks at the young person's current and future needs and provision. (SEND Code of Practice 2015, Section 9.61)

You must do the same, ensuring that you are actively considering all future options at each Annual Review during Key Stage 4.

The LA must consider the long-term needs of the young person, per case law:

Wilkin and Goldthorpe v Coventry CC [1998]

From Year 9, the EHCP must include provisions for Preparation for Adulthood and Independent Living.

(SEND Regulations 2014, Regulation 12(3))

Consider the following:

Are exam access arrangements in place?
Are they being practised?
Is your child on a trajectory for mainstream qualifications, functional skills, vocational skills, life skills—or a combination?

Do your research early:

Attend Sixth Form and FE College open days.
Pick up a prospectus.
Discuss with your child any interests they may wish to pursue further.
Speak to SENDCos and the Learning Support Departments.
Talk to parents of young people already enrolled on courses about the support available.

Also consider:

Independent Specialist Sixth Forms: Do they offer dual placements with local mainstream FE Colleges? This can be an effective transition from specialist to mainstream, where additional support is provided for coursework, Preparation for Adulthood, and Independent Living skills at the specialist setting.
Travel arrangements: Many young people lose transport support Post-16, as LAs can apply local policy. "Independent travel" is often framed under Preparation for Adulthood. Know the policy before it becomes an issue and plan accordingly:
Subsidised College Transport (16–19)
SEND FE Colleges (Ages 16–25): These provide continuity through to 25. You will still face a Phase Transition but can evidence that education and training continue to meet needs effectively.

Post-19 Transitions

Post-19 is a time when many young people struggle to find appropriate placements. For some, EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School) becomes the most suitable option. As always, you must demonstrate that no FE College—mainstream or independent, vocational placement or institute—can meet your child's needs.

This is when your investigative skills must rival those of an MI6 agent.

For others, this may be the right time to transition to a more holistic, care-based approach, such as a residential placement offering round-the-clock care and support.

Use your LAs Local Offer to research what's available:

Find your local council

Investigate EHCP Supported Internships – yes, they do exist, and no, not many people know about them:

Supported Internships for Young People with Learning Difficulties

Sections B & F

Be informed early. Prepare thoroughly. Ensure that Sections B and F are accurate, detailed, and up to date. Do not wait for the Annual Review of this Phase Transition to begin considering the next steps.

This phase—Post-16 and Post-19—is where all previous battles converge. It is the most important and the most difficult to navigate. It is also the most complex for your young person, and they will need our support now more than ever.

It is also their opportunity to move forward—using all the strategies and skills built up over the years. This is where they can shine and move confidently toward their unique potential.

We are all proud of our Post-16 and Post-19 SEND young people, who should be proud of themselves too.