Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) in Further Education

Further Education (FE) is used to describe the education that occurs following compulsory post-16 secondary education. Registered Post 16 education providers have the same statutory duties as schools laid out in the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years (PDF, 3.2 MB).

There is a wide range of courses and qualifications available, including:

  • vocational subjects that are related to a broad subject area such as business
  • vocational courses which prepare students for a specific job, such as hairdressing
  • academic courses like GCSEs and A Levels - which can be undertaken on their own or in combination with a vocational course
  • some Education Providers specialise in certain subjects such as agriculture, music, construction and others specialise in supporting learners with complex additional needs.

Facts about FE Colleges
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At an FE College, students can progress from foundation or entry level courses all the way up to degree level and professional qualifications.

There are still exams and written assignments at college but there are also courses that include practical assessments where you will be assessed in a realistic work environment.

Like schools, there is a Learning Support Team at college which can help young people if there is learning needs or a disability. This may include:

  • support in the classroom
  • provide one to one help
  • set up exam arrangements and extra time, etc.

Some colleges have other support staff such as mentors, counselling service and staff trained to give medication or provide confidential support if needed.

Colleges and other establishments can apply to the Local Authority for funding to help support students with a high level of special educational needs with their studies. Download the HNF Guidance for young people (PDF, 219.9 KB). You can also download the easy read version (PDF, 261.7 KB), or listen to the audio version of the young person guidance (MP3, 566.1 KB).

A full time vocational college course may be only 3 days a week, whereas Supported Learning courses may be 5 days a week. Term dates may vary from school.

Each course may have a different timetable, which may include evenings and there may be an expectation to undertake work experience as part of Preparation for Adulthood and independent study at home.

Supported Internships
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The Department for Education has produced advice about Supported Internships for Further Education colleges, sixth forms in academies, maintained and non-maintained schools, specialist post 16 providers, other providers of study programmes and local authorities.

A Supported Internship is one type of study programme specifically aimed at young people aged 16 to 24 who have an EHC plan, who want to move into employment and need extra support to do so.

Employability Skills
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Employability skills are embedded within the curriculum post 16 in Preparation for Adulthood.

Traineeships and Apprenticeships are also available.

Please visit the Skills and Employability page on Kelsi.

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