Post 16

The law requires all young people in England to continue in education, training or employment with training until the age of 18.

There are multiple options and qualifications available to students after the age of 16 when they have completed Year 11. The options open to a young person will depend on the qualifications which they may have secure whilst at school. The table below shows the different qualification values and highlights which Post 16 routes may be options for a young person.

Social Workers, Parents and Carers should ensure our young people are supported to make timely applications to their chosen college, apprenticeship and training providers. Further information about entry requirements, submission deadlines and support offers are available directly on college, sixth form, training provider and employer websites.

It is also crucial to provide support for the young person on GCSE results day, ensuring that results have been received in order to progress with enrolment at the Post 16 setting.

Post 16 settings are not obliged to treat cared for children as priority applicants for their courses, however many settings will offer bespoke advice for care experienced children.

Post 16

Our support for young people doesn’t end when they leave school. We continue to support the children in our care who are continuing their journey in further education, employment and training, regardless of whether or not they currently attend a setting, via the termly PEP process.

We provide advice and support to Social Workers, Leaving Care Personal Advisers, Parents, Carers and staff in Post 16 settings.

Where a young person has not already secured GCSE qualifications in Maths and English, they will be expected to continue to study both these subjects as part of their Post 16 learning offer, continuing to build their knowledge and skills in these areas with the ultimate aim of securing a qualification.