• Do you prefer to be outside or inside?
• Do you like being with people?
• Do you show an enterprising attitude?
• Do you like working with your hands?
• Do you like order, details, or numbers?
• Are you creative?
• Do you have any hobbies?
• Do you have any interests/motivators?
• What do you enjoy, either at home or school?
• Are you outgoing or do you like to keep to yourself?
• What kind of environment suits you - busy or quiet?
• What is important to you (e.g. staying near home, being independent)?
• Do you like routine or discovering new places and people? 

The Government has increased the age at which all young people in England are required to continue in education or training to at least their 18th birthday. This does not mean young people must stay in school. They are able to choose from:

• Full-time education (e.g. at a school or college). 
• An apprenticeship or traineeship
• Part-time education or training combined with one of the following: 
• Employment or self-employment for 20 hours or more a week, volunteering for 20 hours or more a week.
• College and Post 16—subject to meeting the entry requirements. All colleges offer supported learning/foundation courses. Check out the individual colleges and sixth form websites for more information.

Most colleges' full-time courses are three-five days per week, but this would need to be clarified by individual providers.

Specialist Colleges

There are ‘specialist colleges’ available, and the Creating Tomorrow Trust manages the only one in Northamptonshire. You can access by agreeing funding with your local authority SEN team.
Information about specialist colleges can be found on the NATSPEC website.

Please note: It is only if, on assessment, the local college(s) cannot meet you or your child's needs that specialist options can be considered. 

Supported Internships 

Supported internships are a structured study programme placed with an employer. They enable young people aged 16-24 with a statement of SEN, or an Education, Health and Care plan to achieve sustainable paid employment by equipping them with the skills they need for work, through learning in the workplace. The Creating Tomorrow Trust has successfully supported young people through a supported internship. Alternative providers include Shaw Trust, Mencap and other SEND provisions.

Apprenticeships & Traineeships 

Inclusive Apprenticeships allow the apprentice to use an Entry level 3 qualification in English or Maths as a lower entry route. A traineeship is an education and training programme which incorporates work experience. They are designed for people aged 16-24 who don’t yet have the appropriate skills or experience.

On an apprenticeship, you are employed to do a real job while studying for a formal qualification—usually one day a week, either at a college or a training provider.

Traineeships provide the essential work preparation training, English, Maths and work experience needed to secure an Apprenticeship or employment.

There are many local providers for young people with SEND, please be aware that some will only take from the age of 18 years. You will need to check the entry requirements and funding as these are likely to vary. 

At 16, young people can either claim benefits in their own right, or you will be able to claim on their behalf. It is important that you get free independent advice around what benefits can be claimed and how they could affect what payments you already receive before you decide.

There are number of benefits that a young person is entitled to. Young people who need someone to help them with day to day living maybe able to claim or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) previously known as DLA. TO find out more check out www.gov.uk/pip-checker

Day centres and others providers will usually come with a financial implication for post 18 care . This is  only when the EHCP is longer valid. Funding can comes from the Northamptonshire Adult Social Care . For many clients are funded in a number of ways. These include directly by Social Services, through their own ‘Direct Payments’ privately or increasingly by customers choosing to use part of their ‘ In Control’ personal budget.  Personal budget  are designed to help people take control of their own budgets and choose services that suit them best. 

If required, before a  young person's 18th birthday, the Transition Team will complete an adult assessment with the young person, their family and any other people involved with the young person.

Northamptonshire Adult Social Services (NASS) support those who need more help for certain physical, cognitive or age-related conditions. This could be for carrying out personal care or domestic routine, to allow them to have an involvement in work, education, learning and leisure activities.  For further advice and requests for assessment from adult social care (including mental health referrals), visit:  www.nass.uk

For post-18  provisions there may be some costs involved. Following the assessment, if the young  person meets the adult eligibility criteria for support, you will receive a weekly budget to fund additional adult support. This is known as Direct payments and Individual budgets. Direct payments are a way of getting the additional help required. You or the young person are given the money to arrange the service yourselves.

An individual budget is money allocated to an individual needing personal assistance. It can cover more than personal social care and can be money, arranged services or a combination of both.