Parent and carer guide to planning for college or training

Moving from school to college or a new training provider for the first time might be a scary time for both you and your young person.

This guide provides useful information to help you plan for the transition into college or training. We aim to answer any questions you might have, and give you the information to help this transition go as smoothly as possible.

Some young people will already have a clear idea of what and where they would like to study.

Some need to have a better idea of what is available before deciding.

Your school's Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) will be able to help you know what level of course to look for. The college or training provider will also be able to advise.

Talking with your young person will help you both decide which of these are important to you at this stage:

• Developing independence
• Gaining skills for employment
• Beginning to train towards a particular job or career (vocational learning)
• aiming to gain more academic qualifications

Start or refine your search by looking at the following:

Help you Choose website

The Help You Choose website has dedicated guidance on courses, programmes and training for young people with SEND.

You can search the website for courses and training by geographical area, course topic and by level. You can apply to a college or training provider directly from Help You Choose.

Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) local offer

The SEND Local Offer has education and training information.

College or training provider's websites

Carry out an internet search for the college or training provider you are interested in. You will often find information about the courses they offer on their websites.

Speak to someone

Most colleges and training providers have advisers to talk to. You will often be able to find the telephone number for their main reception on their website. Ask to speak to someone who can give you information, advice and guidance about their courses. These advisers will also be able to give you good, impartial advice about other providers.

Check entry criteria

All courses will have different entry requirements. Make sure the courses you choose match your young person's abilities and qualifications.

It's always a good idea to visit a college or training provider you are considering. Most will have open days or open evenings you can attend.

You can find out about them on the college or training provider's website, or call their main reception to find out.

Sometimes you may not be able to attend an open day or open evening. In most cases, you will still be able to arrange your own visit by calling the main reception.

Some colleges or training providers have virtual tours that will let you visit from your own computer at home.

As soon as you know which course you like, you will need to fill out an application form.

You can find these online on the college or training provider's website. You can also collect a paper copy from the college or training provider, or ask for one to be posted to you.

You should apply as soon as possible from the September of the year before your young person is due to start at the college or training provider. Some courses fill up early, so apply early.

The college or training provider will tell you what to expect once you have applied.

When applying for a course, think about transport and whether there are options close to where you live.

An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who have complex special educational needs and disabilities. These children may need more support than is available through special educational needs support.

Find out more about EHC plans and annual reviews.

When your young person is moving from school to a college or training provider, you will probably have a lot of questions.

Some visits or taster sessions are arranged directly between the school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) and the college or training provider. Ask your SENCO if these are planned.

You can also call the college or training provider and ask to speak to the tutor of the course you are interested in. They will be able to discuss what your young person will need to make the transition from school to college or training successful. For example, your young person may like to arrange to speak to students already on the course.

Many things about starting college or training will be new. It's a good idea to practice some of the following:

• Help your young person think about what to do if they have questions and/or worries
• Practice choosing and paying for lunches, if that is what will happen at college
• Practice new transport arrangements, such as a new walking route or catching a bus
• Find out about any equipment you might need
• Your young person may have worn school uniform since they started school. What will they wear at college?

How will you be able to keep in touch with your young person when they are in college or training?

• Do they use a phone?
• Do they know how to be safe using it?
• Do they have all the phone numbers they need?
• Can they contact you independently?