Skip to content

What Are My Young Person's Options After They Finish School?

All children and young people have the right to full-time education up to the age of 16. After that, they must do  one of the following until they are at least 18.

  • Stay in full-time education, for example at a college or sixth form.

  • Access a supported internship.

  • Start an apprenticeship.

  • Spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.​​

Many young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) benefit enormously from these last few years, whether they stay on at school, move to a college of further education or sixth form college, or start an apprenticeship or training program.​ ​

This section will help you understand your young people's options after leaving school and what help they can expect.