Post 16/19. Transition Booklet. Opportunities for students with Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education Health & Care Plans in Birmingham

Transcription

1 Opportunities for students with Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education Health & Care Plans in Birmingham Post 16/19 Transition Booklet 2017 To download an electronic version visit:

2 Introduction Transition to Post 16/19 Placement for Students with Statements of Special Educational Needs/Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans in Birmingham 2017 Dear parent/carer, We know that your son/daughter s move into further education can be an anxious time. This booklet has been put together for all young people who have a statement of special educational needs (SEN) or Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan to help them through Post 16/19 transition. It includes information about Post 16/19 educational settings in Birmingham and about how to express a preference for the placements that they wish to attend. On 1 September 2014 a new system of assessing and making educational provision for students with special educational needs was introduced. To transfer a student from a statement to an EHC Plan involves a transfer review. This requires us, the Local Authority, to complete an EHC needs assessment. This will involve three steps: Step 1 a transfer review meeting Step 2 your son/daughter will receive a draft EHC Plan Step 3 the final EHC Plan will be issued We have attached a transfer timetable so that your son/daughter can see when their transfer review meeting will happen and when they will receive their final EHC Plan. Student transferring to EHC Plan Year group Term for EHC Review Meeting Legal deadline for EHC Plan to be transferred In year 11, transfer from school to a school sixth form, post 16 provider or apprenticeship Year 11 Autumn Term March 2017 KS5 year 12,13 and 14, transfers to post 16 provider or apprenticeship Year 12/13/14 Autumn Term March 2017 Leaving Youth Custody Year 13 and under On release 20 weeks from start of the process. Page 2

3 A large proportion of young people with a statement of SEN attend local Post 16/19 placements where their needs are well met with the education, training and support provided. Therefore, if your son/daughter is considering a placement at a local college or sixth form, section 21 of this booklet provides details about these individual placements. Information is also provided about specialist Post 16 placements; these are detailed in sections 23, 24 and 25 of the booklet. If a student is seeking work (vocational) based training, then section 27 will give them more details of relevant training providers. We have also created a user friendly document called Next Steps to help young people through this process. Your son/daughter will have been given advice on the type of placement that is suitable for them through discussions with their current placement at their transfer review meeting. If they are interested in a particular Post 16 placement they will need to contact the placement directly to arrange a visit. Please be aware that there is a dual process in Birmingham this year which means that as well as putting your son/daughter s post 16 choices on the preference form, included within this pack, you should also apply directly to the post 16 setting for a place. I would advise that your son/daughter seek support from the Special Education Needs Co-ordinator and the Careers Adviser at their current placement. This will help them make an informed decision about their future placement and express a suitable preference. If, after reading this booklet, you still need further help or advice then you can contact the Local Authority s Special Educational Needs Assessment & Review Team (SENAR) on You will be informed of the Post 16/19 placement that your son/daughter has been allocated by 31 March Please remember that some placements are conditional on getting the necessary qualifications and so a named placement might not be known until the start if the 2017 academic year. I wish your son/daughter every success in the future. Yours sincerely, Jill Crosbie Acting Assistant Director, SEND Page 3

4 Contents Introduction by Jill Crosbie, Interim Assistant Director 3 1. Timeline for the SEN Post 16/19 transfer process 5 2. How the Post 16/19 transfer process will work 6 3. Meeting your son/daughter s needs 7 4. Finding out about Birmingham placements 8 5. Who should complete a preference form 8 6. Not submitting a preference form 9 7. How to complete the preference form 9 8. Applying for a Post 16/19 placement in other Local Authorities Applying for an Independent Specialist Provider Home address How places are allocated Opportunity to make amendments to the Draft EHC Plan Notifying you of the allocated placement Appeals and amendments Special Education Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) Travel Assistance Raising Participation Age (RPA) Careers Advice and Information/Support Not in Education, Employment or Training in Birmingham (NEET) How do qualifications compare? Contacts Details of Mainstream Secondary Schools with Sixth Form Centres Post 16/19 Specialist Vocational Colleges Details of Special Sixth Form Centres Resource Bases Independent Specialist Providers in Birmingham Post 19 Providers Vocational Training Providers in Birmingham List of courses available at Vocational Training Providers General Further Education (GFEs) & Sixth Form Colleges List of courses available at GFE Colleges Your son/daughter s guide to data protection Career Action Plan 59 Page 4

5 1. Timeline for the SEN Post 16/19 transfer process When? Autumn Term 2016 Autumn Term 2016 onwards What Happens? School Careers Adviser arranges a full careers guidance interview and issues a Career Action Plan for all those with a Statement of SEN/EHC Plan (template to be completed is on 1. Young person/parent needs to attends open days at Post 16/19 placements and apply directly to the Post 16/19 setting. 2. Post 16/19 placements need to inform SENAR of all applications received from young people with SEN/EHCP. By 30 December School/Placement SENCO arranges the Transfer Review meeting in order to complete the Transition Review form/populate the EHCP. 2. Young person/parent completes the Post 16/19 Preference Form. 3. School/Placement sends the populated EHC template, Career Action plan, up-to-date school reports, Transition Review Report form and Young Person/Parent's Preference Form to SENAR.Transfers@birmingham.gov.uk. Between December 2016 and February half-term 2017 Mid-February 2016 to 31 March 2017 AMENDMENT PROCEDURES August till October 2017 SENAR will consult with Post 16/19 placements about your son/daughter's preferred options. SENAR will also consult with other appropriate placements that are in your son/daughter's local community if necessary. Birmingham LA is required by Law to have consulted with the Post 16/19 placements. If the referral is for a placement funded by another Local Authority we will refer to that Local Authority as well. If agreed by all parties, this will lead to naming the placements and finalising the EHCP. Post 16/19 placements and SENAR will finalise applications with 'Conditional Offers' and those who have changed their preferences. Page 5

6 2. How the Post 16/19 transfer process will work As your son/daughter has a Statement of SEN or EHC Plan and is due to move on to a Post 16/19 placement (e.g. college) in September 2017, they will have the opportunity to state their placement preference(s) using the Placement Preference Form in this booklet. What your son/daughter needs to know: Your son/daughter must complete a Birmingham LA Placement Preference Form specifically for learners with a Statement of SEN/EHC Plan. If any of your son/daughter s preferences are for a placement in another local authority (LA) they must still complete the Birmingham LA Placement Preference Form and name the placement(s) in Part 3 of the form. Birmingham LA is required to consult the Post 16/19 placement and the relevant LA, if it is not a Birmingham LA placement, before it can be named in your son/daughter s EHC Plan. A Post 16/19 placement will be allocated to your son/daughter in accordance with the SEN Code of Practice and the criteria set out in this booklet. Your son/daughter will be given the opportunity to make representations and to discuss any concerns they have with their Principal SENAR Officer about the place allocated. Their name and contact details will be in their notification letter. If your son/daughter disagree with the offer they can appeal to the SEN Tribunal Service; the contact details will be included in the letter sent with their Final Amended EHC Plan. Please note: The Children and Family Act 2014 states that, when amending/transferring to an EHC Plan, LAs must make arrangements to enable your son/daughter to say where they would prefer to receive their Post 16/19 education/training. However, the number of places in all educational settings are limited, which means that it may not always be possible to allocate your son/daughter a place at their preferred placement. Therefore options for placements should be maximised and we recommend four preferences are stated on the preference form. You are able to make up to four preferences. Birmingham LA must comply with your son/daughter s preferences for a local college or sixth form unless: the placement is unsuitable to their age, ability, aptitude or SEN, or the placement would be incompatible with the efficient education of the other young people with whom they would be educated, or The placement would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources. Page 6

7 3. Meeting your son/daughter s needs The People Directorate aims to provide students who have Statements of SEN/EHC Plans, with a range of opportunities in Post 16/19 to appropriately meet their needs. We are committed to a policy of inclusion which means educating young people in the most appropriate provision and in accordance with their needs. Birmingham LA believes in the principle of students being educated/trained in their local community, as close to home as possible. There are different types of mainstream Post 16/19 placements in Birmingham including: Local General Further Education colleges (GFEs) Mainstream Sixth Forms Colleges and School Sixth Forms Some sixth forms have become Academies and are not controlled by the Local Authority but have similar admission procedures. Some Free Schools have also been opened or are due to open in the City. These are not controlled by the Local Authority, but operate separate but similar admission procedures to mainstream sixth form schools. More specialist types of provision: In addition to mainstream placements, there are 14 Specialist Sixth Forms (three are co-located on mainstream secondary school sites). There are also 6 Resource Bases within mainstream placements that offer a range of specialist educational provision for different types of need. The specialist provision available in the city caters for the following SEN: Cognition and Learning Needs (CLN)-including sensory and physical disability. Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) Visual Impairment (VI) Hearing Impairment (HI) Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties (BESD) There are also a number of Independent Specialist Providers meeting a variety of specialist needs. For more information see Page 7

8 4. Finding out about Birmingham placements All GFE Colleges, Sixth Forms and special Post 16/19 placements have their own prospectus or booklet that explains what subjects/courses they offer, the facilities they have and what they aim to provide for their students. Your son/daughter will need to contact these providers directly to request a copy. However, many educational establishments will have a copy of the prospectus on their website for your son/daughter to download. Further information can also be found on the Local Offer website at Open Days It s a good idea to go along to open days so your son/daughter can talk to tutors and explore choices before making their decision. Check college websites and Social Media for dates of open days. 5. Who should complete the preference form? A young person who is due to move to a different post 16/19 educational setting (away from where they currently attend) in September 2017 MUST complete the preference form regardless of whether they are seeking placement at a mainstream or specialist college, an apprenticeship or traineeship. Those who are due to leave education, or begin at university or start work must let us know by filling in Part 2 of the preference form. All year 14 pupils must complete a preference form. Any year 13 pupils (likely to be in a mainstream setting) whose placement is due to end by 31 August 2017 and would like to apply for a new educational course must complete a preference form. If the young person is not planning to move to a different setting and will stay at their current school then they do not need to submit a preference form. For example a year 11 who intends to stay at their school s sixth form provision does not need to complete a preference form. SENAR will liaise with schools and ask for a list of pupils who will be returning to the Sixth Form in September If the young person is undecided and thinks they may stay on at their school but would also like to consider other options then they should submit a preference form and include all the options they would like the Local Authority to consider including their current school setting. Young people already in Post 16/19 provision whose courses are not due to finish by the 31 August 2017 do not need to submit a preference form. Page 8

9 6. Not submitting a preference form If your son/daughter is changing placement in September 2017 then Birmingham LA is legally required to transfer their statement to an EHC Plan by 31 March 2017 and name the Post 16/19 placement as soon as it is confirmed although where a conditional offer is given it will not be possible to name the provider by the 31 March deadline. Please be aware that there is a dual process in Birmingham this year, which means that as well as putting the post 16/19 choices on the Preference Form you should also apply directly to the post 16/19 setting for a place. If you do not submit a Birmingham LA Preference Form, we will: Attempt to contact your son/daughter to seek their views. Ask for advice from your son/daughter s current school. Examine any information available, such as the most recent Transfer Review report and their Statement of SEN/EHC Plan. Consult with and allocate the nearest Post 16 provision that can meet your son/daughter s SEN and that still has a place. It is, therefore, important that your son/daughter expresses a preference for the Post 16/19 placement that they would like to attend, where appropriate (following guidance outlined in section 5). 7. How to complete the preference form Complete the form in BLOCK CAPITALS using black ink. PART 1: Check that your son/daughter s details in Part 1 of the form are correct. PART 1: If the pre-printed address is incorrect, write the correct address in the space provided and attach proof of residence, such as a recent utility bill, by stapling it to the form. PART 2: If your son/daughter intends to leave education to attend university or begin work please complete this section and move onto part 6. PART 3: Enter the names of placements in the order of your son/daughter s preference, starting with your son/daughter s most preferred choice, including any preferences for placements in other Local Authorities. PART 3: If any of your son/daughter s preferences are for a place in one of the Resource Bases, rather than the mainstream, please ensure your son/daughter write Resource Base next to the name of the placement on the form. Page 9

10 PART 3: If the placement your son/daughter has chosen has multiple campuses then please provide the name of the campus that they wish to attend. Please also include the name and level of course they wish to enrol on. PART 4: Please include the Career Action Plan and any other information that is relevant to your son/daughter s preference(s). Attach additional sheets, by staple to the back of the form. PART 4: Complete the child in care details as applicable. PART 5: Make sure that your son/daughter has ticked the relevant boxes in this part. PART 6: Fully complete the parent/carer/guardian details. PART 6: Sign & date the declaration. The deadline for the completed form to reach SENAR is 30 December You can either return it to your son/daughter s school/placement SENCO or you can send it directly to SENAR preferably via to SENAR.Transfers@birmingham.gov.uk or by post to the address below. 8. Applying for a Post 16 placement in other Local Authorities If your son/daughter live in Birmingham and any of their preferences are in another LA, then you still need to state them on the Preference Form. Birmingham LA is required to consult the placement and, if applicable, the other LA regarding your son/daughter s request, on their behalf. Remember, other LAs may not be able to offer your son/daughter a place, because the placement is full for example, or they do not feel they could meet their needs. Therefore, it is also advisable to include some Birmingham placements in their preferences. Page 10

11 9. Applying for an Independent Specialist Provider For the majority of young people who have SEND education and training provision will be delivered in a mainstream setting. Outcomes for the vast majority of young people, including those with SEND, will be met most effectively when they are able to maintain their connections with their families, their friends and communities. It is important to note that the LA is required to take into account value for money considerations when making ISP educational placement decisions and can refuse if a placement would be incompatible with the efficient education of others, or the efficient use of resources. (Code of Practice 2014) The Local Authority will not confirm funding and commissioning decisions until the full costs and affordability of an educational placement have been considered in the light of the overall budget available. The total costs of the placement include the additional social and health care costs that might be needed. In considering and securing an education programme, and with a view to maximising the efficient use of funds, the local authority may look at pooling resources between different agencies, encouraging the formation of partnerships and building community capacity to secure appropriate funding from other agencies during the decision making process. The local authority will liaise with other agencies/service area to request funding to cover any health and care costs associated with the placement. The local authority cannot guarantee that such funding will be forthcoming. Subject to budgetary constraints, confirmation of placements will be made and all relevant parties informed. In the event that a local package of provision and support cannot be identified a decision will be sought from the Local Authority transitions panel. Decisions made by the Panel are based on the evidence presented. The Local Authority will convene the panel before the end of March 2017, where ever possible, but decisions will continue to be made after that date as and when required. For funding a day placement the local authority will need to be satisfied, on the basis of the available evidence that the majority of criteria below is met: There is no suitable local mainstream provision or package of provision that can meet the young person s reasonable education or training needs. There is evidence that the young person has medical or care needs that cannot be addressed by local providers and that would prevent the young persons from accessing suitable education or training. The independent specialist provider is appropriate to the young person s needs. The programme proposed for the young person, includes progression pathways and clear outcomes and identified destinations in line with the young person s preparation for adulthood. Page 11

12 Additionally requests for residential placements must also evidence that the assessment of the young person s reasonable education or training needs demonstrates that an essential element can only be provided in a residential setting and that other provision or packages of provision cannot meet those needs. It is essential therefore that the evidence provided in support of any placement request is upto-date (within last 12 months) and appropriate to the request being made. Evidence will need to demonstrate that the match between the aspirations of the young person, their identified reasonable education and training needs and the learning programme is only available through an ISP. Sources of the evidence include: Required evidence is as follows: EHC Plan. Careers Action Plan see section 33. Relevant and up-to-date report(s) from the Multi-Agency Team around the young person who have assessed the young person and concluded they cannot put in place/ source a suitable package of provision and support to meet the young person s educational and/or training needs. a report from the ISP detailing how the provider can meet the young person s reasonable assessed education and training needs set out in the EHC Plan. The Preference form see section 6 which provides signed consent of the young person to share information, as appropriate. The list is not exhaustive and the local authority may wish to seek additional relevant and up to date information depending on the individual circumstances of the young person. Whilst the local authority will endeavour to take account of the wishes of young people and their parents/carers, it does not have a legal duty to fund the independent specialist provision of their choice, if it is satisfied that it can secure adequate provision locally. The local authority will automatically seek a view from a local mainstream provider where an ISP application has been made, based on those listed in part 3 of the young person s preference form. Where no mainstream provider has been listed the Local Authority will seek a view from a local provider that it feels can meet the young person s needs. It may also look to develop a personalised bespoke package of provision and support in a local setting(s) to meet the young person s needs/aspirations. Should the young person and his/her parents or carers still not be satisfied with the decision they have the right to appeal against the decision and should follow the local authority appeals process as set out in section 14. Page 12

13 Continuation of Placement: Existing Young Persons Confirmation of continuing placements for existing young persons will be made on the basis of the annual review of progress for each young person. This review will be undertaken by the ISP in partnership with SENAR as appropriate. SENAR may also look to develop a personalised bespoke package of provision and support in a local setting(s) to meet the young person s needs/aspirations on a year by year basis. Programme Length Whilst it is acknowledged that the total length of an individual young person s programme may be in excess of one year, the funding of a young person s placement will only be confirmed for the duration of one academic year and will be subject to on-going satisfactory progress, evidenced by annual review reports produced by the ISP. It is expected that young persons complete their programme within the time frame initially agreed and requests to extend an individual student placement beyond the duration of the programme s original end date will only be granted in exceptional circumstances e.g. where a young person has been unable to complete his/her learning aims due to exceptional and unexpected medical reasons. In-year changes Following identification of a change in support needs, requests to change a young person s level of funding in-year (that is, at any time other than through the end of the first term review for new placements and the summer term review process for all young persons) are likely only to be considered in exceptional circumstances. The changes must be discussed and agreed with the local authority before amendments are put in place. Page 13

14 10. Home address When you complete the Preference Form, please note that your son/daughter s home address is the residential property where they reside for the majority of the school term. This can be either: Owned by you (parent) or the person with parental responsibility. Leased to or rented by you, the parent or a person with parental responsibility. Different Home Address If your son/daughter s address is different to that printed on the Preference Form, please write the new address in the space provided and attach proof of residence, such as: A copy of the council tax bill. A copy of a recent utility bill (gas, water, electric etc. dated within the last six months). A Solicitors letter stating contracts have been exchanged and specifying a completion date and the new address. A copy of your tax credit award letter. A signed and dated tenancy agreement with the commencement date, plus proof of residency for example a copy of a recent utility bill. If a placement is allocated on the basis of an address that is subsequently found to be different from the young person s normal permanent home address, then that place is liable to be withdrawn. 11. How places are allocated Post 16/19 Placement places are allocated in accordance with the Children & Family Act 2014, which requires that a decision is made after taking into account the young person s SEN, parental preference and the views of the placements requested. The Loacal Authority is required to comply with a student s preference for a local college (GFE), sixth form and/or Academy unless: The placement is unsuitable to the young person s age, ability, aptitude or SEN or The placement would be incompatible with the efficient education of the other young people with whom the young person would be educated, or With the efficient use of resources. Page 14

15 The LA is required to consult the placement before naming it in Section I of the Education Health & Care Plan (EHCP). How the Local Authority allocates places if there are more applications than places available In cases where there are more applications for places than a Special Placement can accommodate, places will be allocated on the basis that: The placement is able to meet the young person s SEN and priority is given to Young Person in care (see definition below) where the placement is the most appropriate placement for their SEN. Definition of Looked After Children (in public care) or previously Looked After Children Looked after children or children who were previously looked after but immediately after being looked after become subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order. This includes any child/young person who is subject to a Full Care Order, an interim Care Order, accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, is remanded or detained into Local Authority accommodation under Criminal Law or who have been placed for adoption. Young people for whom this particular placement is the only placement that can meet their specific SEN. In the event that there are still places available they will be allocated to young people whose special education needs can only be met in this type of provision and it is the nearest placement to their home address. Any further places will be allocated to young people whose needs can appropriately be met at this type of provision, with priority given to those who live closest. 12. Opportunity to make amendments to the Draft EHC Plan In the spring term, your son/daughter will receive a draft copy of their new EHC Plan for them to comment upon. If you have any amendments or comments about the EHC Plan then please contact your SENAR Principal Officer whose name is at the bottom of the covering letter. You will have 15 calendar days from the date of the letter to make your representation. Page 15

16 13. Notifying you of the allocated placement If your son/daughter is changing placement, then you should receive a Final EHC Plan by 31 March 2017, informing you of the place that has been allocated. The notification (letter) will explain how you can make representations about any concerns you may have. Please note that if the placement is a conditional offer dependent on achieving specific qualifications e.g. four GCSE s at grade C or above, then the EHC Plan will be finalised by the type of provision your son/daughter will require in September This will either be mainstream post 16/19 placement (GFE) or specialist post 16/19 placement. 14. Appeals and amendments You and your son/daughter will have an opportunity to speak to a SENAR Principal Officer who will work with you, to find the best way forward and to resolve any issues. Their name and contact details will be in the letter sent to you with the final EHC Plan. This letter will also contain details of the right of appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDisT). 15. Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice & Support Service (SENDIASS) SENDIASS (formerly called SEN Parent Partnership) is provided by the Local Authority, primarily to provide comprehensive, quality and impartial advice to parents of young people with special education needs on all aspects of education. SENDIASS will, therefore, be able to advise you on how decisions are made in relation to transfer to Post 16/19 placements and how concerns can be raised by you or your son/daughter regarding the proposed or allocated place. If you information you can contact SENDIASS: By telephone: By Fax: By By post: SENDIASS@birmingham.gov.uk The POD, 28 Oliver St, Nechells, Birmingham B7 4NX Page 16

17 16. Travel Assistance The Transport Policy Statement, which the Education Act 1996 requires the Local Authority to publish each year, sets out what travel support is available, from the Council and other bodies, to help young people aged (and older in some cases) to attend their school or further education institution. It is available on Birmingham City Council s website at: The Council itself does not generally provide any transport or travel assistance for post-16 education. However, it does make some provision for young people aged (and older in some cases) who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs/Education Health and Care Plan or have a disability or have learning difficulties. Such assistance is discretionary and is determined in accordance with the criteria set out in the policy statement. However, financial assistance may be available from (or by applying through) the school or further education institution in question and Appendix 1 sets out full details of these schemes. In addition there are various concessionary travel schemes in Birmingham which may be available and these are set out in Appendix 2. There is also relevant government guidance which is available at: Post 19 The Local Authority s position is currently under review. Updates will be provided at Further information A full copy of the Transport Policy is available from Travel Assist at: or from the address stated below. If your son/daughter is in any doubt about applying for assistance or would like further information, please contact: Travel Assist, PO Box 16541, Birmingham, B2 2DD Tel No: travelassist@birmingham.gov.uk Page 17

18 17. Raising Participation Age (RPA) The government has raised the Participation Age and so those due to leave school in 2017 will need to remain in either education or training until the end of the academic year in which they turn 18. Raising the Participation Age is not the same as raising the school leaving age. Young people will be able to choose the best Post 16 option, and will be able to leave school after year 11 and consider the following options: Full-time Education at a school Sixth Form, a General Further Education College (GFE) etc. Supported Traineeship at a local training provider or a college. This will give your son/daughter a minimum of 6 months of work placement and they will be supported by a work mentor. Traineeship at a local training provider or a college. This is for your son/daughter if they want to develop practical skills through work experience lasting up to six months. It can lead to qualifications up to level 2. Apprenticeship this is done through an employer and leads to work based qualifications up to level 3. Employment with Training if employed, self-employed or volunteering full time (20 hours or more a week) but your son/daughter must still be in learning for at least 280 hours a year, the equivalent of one day a week during term-time. For more information on any of the above see: Page 18

19 18. Careers Advice and Information/Support Careers Guidance In School Careers advice and guidance is available at your son/daughter s school. They should ask a teacher how to access this. Careers Advice and Guidance can help to explain the different choices and options available, and suggest opportunities for them to consider before they make an informed decision about their future Career Action Plan. It is vital that they see a Careers Adviser and get a Career Action Plan that lists their choices, options and next steps for their future, within the autumn term. At the back of this booklet there is Career Action Plan template that the school will complete. Career Guidance after School If your son/daughter is at a post 16 placement like a college or a training provider then they will have access to a Careers Adviser to help them plan their future moves. The Careers Adviser will discuss with them what kind of options they have for example vocational training, advanced qualifications, apprenticeships, looking for work, university and other form of higher education. They will need to book an appointment and should be able to explore all their future options. The National Careers Service The National Careers Service provides online support for young people and adults who need help with decision making and searching for courses & training. Your son/daughter can register for support if they are aged 13 or above. They will also be able to speak directly to an adviser by phone or online. The National Careers Service website has online tools that can help your son/daughter with career exploration and decision making. For more information see: Page 19

20 19. Not in Education, Employment or Training in Birmingham (NEET) Birmingham Careers Service will work with your son/daughter if they have left school/post 16 placement and are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). This means that if they are 16 & over, and unemployed then the Birmingham Career Service will be able to help them. The Birmingham Careers Service will provide career information, advice and guidance to help your son/daughter to consider their choices and options, and support them to look for jobs, training, and apprenticeships, or continue in education. A qualified Personal Adviser will work to support them. In addition, if your son/daughter is NEET and has left Youth Custody then the Local Authority is legally required to transfer their statement by 31 March For more information on the support the Birmingham Careers Service can offer your son/daughter see: Or alternatively your son/daughter can phone the following number to book an appointment to see a Personal Adviser at a community or youth venue near to their home: Page 20

21 20. How do qualifications compare? The chart below shows some examples of how different qualifications compare to each other. Depending on what subjects and levels you ve studied, your son/daughter may be able to move between different types of qualification. For example, your son/daughter may be able to move from a general education course at Level 2 on to a Diploma at Level 3. This is a general guide, so when applying for courses and Apprenticeships, always check out the specific entry requirements needed. Entry Level 1, 2 & 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4-8 General education courses Foundation level Study Programme GCSE grade D-G Functional Skills GCSE grade A*-C Functional Skills A Level, AS Level, A2 Level International Baccalaureate Degree Masters Degree PhD Vocational education courses including BTEC and City & Guilds* Foundation level Study Programme Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at Level 1 Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at Level 2 Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at Level 3 HNC, HND Professional Diploma Foundation Degree Traineeships/ Apprenticeships Pre- Apprenticeship programme/ Traineeships or internships Pre- Apprenticeship programme/ Traineeships Apprenticeship NVQ Level 2 plus technical certificates such as BTEC Level 2 Advanced Level Apprenticeship NVQ Level 3 plus technical certificates such as BTEC Level 3 Higher Apprenticeship NVQ 4, Foundation Degree, HNC or HND Supported Internships/ Foundation programmes Awards, Certificates or Diplomas at Entry Level 1, 2 or 3 Skills for Life Functional Skills Awards, Certificates or Diplomas at Level 1 Essential Skills Functional Skills This Study Programme is to help people who haven't yet reached Level 2, and to prepare your son/daughter to progress on to a Level 2 course, a job with training or an Apprenticeship Page 21

22 21. Contacts Birmingham Special Educational Needs Assessment & Review (SENAR) SENAR (LC) PO Box Birmingham B2 2XN Tel: please ask to speak to the SENAR department, quoting your son/daughter s current school. Neighbouring Local Authority details: Coventry special_educational_needs_and_ disabilities_support_services Floor 3 Civic Centre 2 Earl Street Coventry CV1 5RS Tel: SEN@coventry.gcsx.gov.uk Dudley localoffer/special-educational-needs-inschools-and-educational-settings/ Directorate of Children s Services School Admissions Service Westox House, 1 Trinity Road Dudley DY1 1JQ Sandwell special_educational_needs_and_ disabilities_send/340/education_special_ educational_needs SEN Team Connor Education Centre Connor Road West Bromwich B71 3DJ Tel: sen_team@sandwell.gov.uk Solihull socialservicesandhealth/childrenfamilies/ fis/additionalsupport/localoffer Solihull Council Council House Manor Square Solihull B91 3QB Tel: sen@solihull.gov.uk Staffordshire /welfareservice/specialeducationalneeds/ home.aspx Special Needs Education 2 Staffordshire Place Stafford ST16 2DH Tel: admissions@staffordshire.gov.uk Tel: admissions.cs@dudley.gov.uk Page 22

23 Walsall disabilities.htm Admissions and Pupil Place Planning Walsall MBC 2nd Floor Civic Centre Darwall Street Walsall WS1 1TP Tel: Warwickshire youngpeopleover16 Special Educational Needs Assessment and Review Service Warwickshire County Council Saltisford Office Park Ansell Way Warwickshire CV34 4UL Tel: Wolverhampton /Special-Educational-Needs-SENDand-Inclusion SENSTART Civic Centre, 1st Floor St Peter s Square Wolverhampton WV1 1RT Worcestershire /special_educational_needs Directorate of Children s Services SEN Services PO. Box 73 Worcester WR5 2YA Tel: SEN@worcestershire.gov.uk Other useful contacts: Archdiocese of Birmingham (RC) Diocesan Schools Commission St Anne s House 61 Coventry Road Coleshill Birmingham B46 3EA Tel: Advisory Centre for Education ACE Education Advice & ACE Education Training 36 Nicholay Road London N19 3EZ Tel: Tel: customer.services@wolverhampton.gov.uk Page 23

24 Department for Education ions/department-for-education Ministerial and Public Communications Division Department for Education Piccadilly Gate Store Street Manchester M1 2WD Tel: Diocese of Birmingham (CE) Diocesan Board of Education 175 Harborne Park Road Harborne Birmingham B17 0BH Tel: Education Transport post16transport Education Transport Service PO Box Birmingham B2 2DD Tel: North Central South Page 24

25 22. Details of Mainstream Secondary Schools with Sixth Form Centres Sixth Form Centres will give your son/daughter a number of choices from A Levels, repeating GCSEs, Functional Skills and BTEC vocational qualifications. If your son/daughter has a Statement/EHC Plan then they will also continue to be supported with their needs as stated in their Statement/EHC Plan. Applications must be made directly to the schools. Your son/daughter must also complete the Preference Form and send it to SENAR. It is a good idea to visit the Sixth Forms of your son/daughter's preferences on their Open Days to find out more about the qualifications on offer, travelling, environment, tutors and the support they can get. ARCHBISHOP ILSLEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Victoria Road, Acocks Green, B27 7XY Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@ilsley.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 160 THE ARTHUR TERRY SCHOOL (ACADEMY) Kittoe Road, Sutton Coldfield B74 4RZ Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@arthurterry.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 335 ASTON MANOR ACADEMY Phillips Street, Aston, B6 4PZ Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@astonmanor.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: TBA Headteacher: Mr G. Alexander Mrs M. Mills Academy Principal: Mr Richard Gi Mr Brian Thompson Headteacher: Ms Heather Roberts Prof Ray Linforth BAVERSTOCK ACADEMY 501 Bells Lane, Druids Heath, B14 5TL Headteacher: Mr Thomas Marshall Tel: (0121) Miss S. Howes Web: Contact info@baverstockacademy.co.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 107 Important note: at time of press an application to close in August 2017 has been submitted. Page 25

26 BISHOP CHALLONER CATHOLIC COLLEGE Institute Road, Kings Heath, B14 7EG Tel: (0121) Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 259 Headteacher: Mr Kevin McEvoy Mr Gregory Keegan BISHOP VESEY'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL (ACADEMY) Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2NH Headteacher: Mr Dominic Robson Tel: (0121) Mr. H T Tillotson Web: Contact enquiry@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 285 Please note this provision is mixed even though KS3 and KS4 are boys only. BISHOP WALSH CATHOLIC SCHOOL (ACADEMY) Wylde Green Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1QT Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@bishopwalsh.net Total number of students in the sixth form: 265 Headteacher: Mr John Farrell Father Neil Bayliss BORDESLEY GREEN GIRLS' SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM Bordesley Green Road, Bordesley Green, B9 4TR Headteacher: Ms Judith Woodfield Tel: (0121) Ms Shafique Shah Web: Contact enquiry@bordgrng.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 200 BROADWAY SCHOOL (ACADEMY) The Broadway, Perry Barr, B20 3DP Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@broadway-academy.co.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 143 Headteacher: Mr R.J. Skelton Joe Cahill Page 26

27 COCKSHUT HILL TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE Cockshut Hill, Yardley, B26 2HX Tel: (0121) Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 145 COLMERS SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Bristol Road South, Longbridge, B45 9NY Tel: (0121) Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: TBC Headteacher: Sian Hartle Carol Squires Headteacher: Barry Doherty Nick Hughes DAME ELIZABETH CADBURY TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE Woodbrooke Road, Bournville, B30 1UL Headteacher: Mr Mike Dunn Tel: (0121) Dr Alistair Rae Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 53 FAIRFAX SCHOOL (ACADEMY) Fairfax Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7JT Tel: (0121) Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 224 GEORGE DIXON ACADEMY Portland Road, Edgbaston, B16 9GD Tel: (0121) Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 167 GREAT BARR SCHOOL Aldridge Road, Great Barr, B44 8NU Tel: (0121) Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 220 Headteacher: Ms Debbie Bunn Mrs J. Plimmer Academy Principal: Mr Anthony Hamilton Mr Henry Coore Headteacher: Ms Ingrid Abrahams Mr Lee Crowe Page 27

28 GREENWOOD ACADEMY Farnborough Road, Castle Vale, B35 7NL Headteacher: Mr Harry French Tel: (0121) Mr C Buchanan Web: Contact contactus@greenwoodacademy.org Total number of students in the sixth form: TBA HAMSTEAD HALL ACADEMY Craythorne Avenue, Handsworth Wood, B20 1HL Tel: (0121) Web: Contact postbox@hamsteadhall.com Total number of students in the sixth form: 220 Headteacher: Mr Kendrick Morris Rev. Peter French HANDSWORTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL Grove Lane, Handsworth, B21 9ET Headteacher: Tel: (0121) S.Farar/Mr J. Mortimer Web: Mr Michael Hart Contact enquiry@handsworth.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 243 Please note this provision is mixed even though KS3 and KS4 are boys only. HANDSWORTH WOOD GIRLS' ACADEMY Church Lane, Handsworth, B20 2HH Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@hwga.org.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 200 HARBORNE ACADEMY Harborne Road, Edgbaston, B15 3JL Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@harborneacademy.co.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 200 Academy Principal: Ms Nicola Walters Mr Amjid Mahroof Academy Principal: Mr Christopher Hilton Mr Roger Minett Page 28

29 HEARTLANDS ACADEMY Gt Francis Street, Nechells, B7 4QR Tel: (0121) Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 200 Academy Principal: Mr Richard Tattersfield Mrs N Flynn HILLCREST SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM CENTRE (ACADEMY) A SPECIALIST MATHS AND COMPUTING COLLEGE Stonehouse Lane, Bartley Green, B32 3AE Academy Principal: Ms Julie Davis Tel: (0121) Ms Dee McIlMurray Web: hillcrest.bham.sch.uk Contact enquiry@hillcrest.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 100 Please note this provision is mixed even though KS3 and KS4 are girls only. HOLTE SCHOOL Wheeler Street, Lozells, B19 2EP Tel: (0121) /4371 Web: Contact enquiry@holte.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 215 HOLYHEAD SCHOOL Milestone Lane, Soho, B21 0HN Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@holyheadschool.org.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: TBC JOHN WILLMOTT SCHOOL Reddicap Heath Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7DY Tel: (0121) Web: Contact enquiry@jws.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 250 Headteacher: Jas Sohal Mr Errol Robinson Headteacher: Mr Martin Bayliss Mr A McCool Headteacher: Ms Mandy McCrohon Mr M. Murray Page 29

30 KING EDWARD VI ASTON SCHOOL (ACADEMY) Frederick Road, Aston, B6 6DJ Academy Principal: Mr Colin Parker Tel: (0121) Prof W. T. Norris Web: Contact Total number of students in the sixth form: 240. Please note this provision is boys only. KING EDWARD VI CAMP HILL SCHOOL FOR BOYS (ACADEMY) Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, B14 7QJ Headmaster: Mr M.Garrod Tel: (0121) Mr B Matthews Web: Contact enquiry@camphillboys.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 230 KING EDWARD VI CAMP HILL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS (ACADEMY) Vicarage Road, Kings Heath, B14 7QJ Headteacher: Mrs Linda Johnson Tel: (0121) Ms E. Conway Web: Contact head@kechg.org.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 257 KING EDWARD VI FIVE WAYS SCHOOL (ACADEMY) Scotland Lane, Bartley Green, B32 4BT Headteacher: Mrs Y. L. Wilkinson Tel: (0121) Prof. Hywel Thomas Web: Contact office@kefw.org Total number of students in the sixth form: 355 KING EDWARD VI HANDSWORTH SCHOOL (ACADEMY) Rose Hill Road, Handsworth, B21 9AR Headteacher: Elisabeth Wager Tel: (0121) Mr R. A. Mansell Web: Contact office@kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk Total number of students in the sixth form: 221. Please note this provision is girls only. KING EDWARD VI SHELDON HEATH ACADEMY (Formerly Sheldon Heath Community Arts College) Sheldon Heath Road, Sheldon, B26 2RZ Academy Principal: Mr John Allen Tel: (0121) Mr Peter Christopher Web: Contact enquiries@keshacademy.com Total number of students in the sixth form: 195 Page 30