Graduated Response - Post 16

Transition from School to Post‑16 Education and Training

A successful transition from school to post‑16 learning requires early planning, information sharing, and collaboration between schools, young people, families, and post‑16 providers.

The SEND Code of Practice (2015) states that post‑16 provision should help young people build on school achievements and progress toward adult life. Young people with EHC plans may require more tailored pathways, and schools must ensure that relevant information—including previous SEN provision—is shared with the receiving college or training provider before the young person takes up their place, ideally during the spring term of Year 11. 

Schools and colleges should jointly provide:

• Taster activities, link programmes, mentoring, and familiarisation visits to help students experience the post‑16 environment.
• Early and clear discussions about post‑16 options as part of EHC plan reviews from Year 9 onwards. Local authorities must ensure these reviews take place, and all settings must co‑operate by contributing information to shape outcomes and planning. 

Staffordshire Educational Psychology Service also provides transition support materials. 

Preparation for Adulthood (PfA)

Preparing for adulthood is a central element of SEND planning from early years onwards. By post‑16, preparation becomes more explicit and outcome‑focused, helping young people move towards employment, independent living, community inclusion, and good health.

Principles and statutory expectations

Everyone working with young people with SEND should support them to achieve the best outcomes in adult life. 

For young people with EHC plans:

• From Year 9 and every review thereafter, the EHC plan review must include a specific Preparing for Adulthood focus, including discussion of future aspirations and the support needed to achieve them. 

The Four PfA Life Domains

Based on local and national guidance, preparation for adulthood focuses on four domains:

• Employment
• Independent Living
• Community Inclusion
• Health 

These domains support young people to identify aspirations, understand what matters to them now and in the future, and shape planning and provision accordingly. Professionals should co‑produce plans, personalise approaches, strengthen post‑16 options, and plan services together. 

Study programmes and curriculum expectations

All students aged 16–19 (and up to 25 with an EHCP) should follow coherent study programmes designed to:

• Enable progression and preparation for adult life.
• Provide access to mainstream courses where appropriate.
• Incorporate English and maths, substantial qualifications, work‑related learning, and meaningful non‑qualification activity.
• Ensure students are not repeating previously completed learning. 

For learners not taking qualifications, programmes should prioritise work experience, independence, and community participation to support employment and healthy adulthood.

Local context and multi‑agency working

Staffordshire guidance emphasises working collaboratively from Year 8/9 onwards, ensuring post‑16 providers understand a learner’s needs, curriculum history, and aspirations early. Transition should link to PfA outcomes and build on successful SEND practice from earlier phases. 

Careers Advice and Guidance

High‑quality careers guidance is essential for supporting informed and aspirational decisions at key transition points.

Legal duties and expectations

Schools must provide impartial careers advice from at least Year 8, tailored to the needs of pupils with SEND. 

Where a young person has an EHC plan, the Year 9 review and every subsequent review must include PfA targets, linked directly to the four life domains. 

Working with post‑16 providers and employers

Schools should actively collaborate with post‑16 providers and employers to broaden young people’s understanding of future options. This includes:

• Access to independent careers guidance
• Engagement with businesses
• Opportunities to explore employment pathways and training routes 

Local authority support for young people

The local authority has a duty to ensure that every young person aged 16–18 is engaged in education, training, or employment (Raising Participation Age). It also provides careers guidance to 16–18 year‑olds, and 16–25 year‑olds with EHCPs, through the Careers and Participation Service. This service offers impartial advice on education, training, employment, and next steps, delivered flexibly through telephone, video, or face‑to‑face support.