Post 16 Support

Since September 2014, some young people have been able to receive support through an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan until they are 25 years old. Before, statements of special educational needs stopped at 19 years old for young people* who were in school.

The support that young people with special educational needs or disabilities receive from age 16 will encourage young people to make decisions, and develop skills and qualifications that will enable them to achieve their aspirations and move into adulthood with confidence. Young people who have an EHC plan will be supported to move out of their plan and access the adult services they need.

* A child is a person under compulsory school age. A young person is a person over compulsory school age but under 25. A person is no longer of compulsory school age after the last day of summer term during the year in which they become 16.

Education, Health and Care Plans

Education, Health and Care plans replaced Learning Difficulty Assessments and Statements.

You won’t get a plan unless you have significant support needs.

Education Health and Care plans are a lot more focused on the individual person and will help young people get the support they need.

Post 16 Resources

• Annual Health Checks
• Personal Budgets
• Which Way? Your Way! – A guide to your post-16 options.
• Careers Plymouth – Careers Plymouth (previously Careers South West) provides information on careers, educational courses, volunteering, training opportunities and other personal support for young people aged 13-19 years old (up to 25 for those with an EHCP, learning difficulty or disability) enabling young people to make informed decisions and choices.
• Devon and Cornwall Training Providers Network
• Plymouth Neurodivergent Employment Service – Are you a neurodivergent adult who is looking for support into finding work? Pluss can support you to learn new skills, training, job search, work trials and benefit advice. Email: neil.cattle@pluss.org.uk
• Skills Elevators – Do you want to know about a particular sector or job role, or are interested in how your career could progress? The skills elevators allow you to see, read and explore potential job roles and requirements at different levels within a sector.
• Skills Launchpad Plymouth: Youth Hub – Free and impartial advice on returning to education, finding a job or an apprenticeship, starting your own business or making plans for your future.
• Your Future Supported Internships – On Course South West offer supported internships which is a structured a work-based study programme for 16-24 year olds with learning difficulties, disabilities or special educational needs (SEND) who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). These are designed to help young people get ready for work by providing hands-on experience, skills training and support in the workplace.
• What are Supported Internships: Easy Read (PDF – 810KB) – This publication was created by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) and explains what supported internships are, how to find out about them and how to get funding to support young people in to work.
• Preparing for Adulthood: Employment Resources – Resources from the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) on preparing for adulthood and work.