When making decisions about post-school education options and applying for a place at a specialist college, the Children and Families Act means that by law you can: have your views and wishes listened to; request a place at a specialist college or any college of your choice; get a personalised Education, Health and Care plan and; appeal to a tribunal if you are not happy with the decisions.

You can request a place at a specialist college when this is the best place to meet a young person’s needs. Department for Education guidance on requesting a place includes:

“Parents and young people do not need to apply for and be rejected from a general FE college before requesting that a specialist post-16 institution be named on their EHC plan. The parent’s / young person’s request carries particular statutory weight, so they should request the provider they would like.”

Specialist colleges are generally only available if you are not able to access your local college courses. You can agree the funding with your local authority SEN team and you would need to show that you have considered your local college’s courses.

For information about specialist colleges in our region please click on the links below.

Harbour House (Gloucestershire College)
Harbour House Video

National Star

Ruskin Mill College

St Martin’s Centre

Or search for a specialist college on the Natspec website

Section 1 – What’s your next move after school?
Section 2 – Local college with SEND provision
Section 3 – Training Providers
Section 4 – Apprenticeships
Section 5 – Supported Internships
Section 6 – Specialist Colleges
Section 7 – Local Offer
Section 8 – Local Support Services
Section 9 – SEND Support Services and Charities
Section 10 – Support to gain access to work
Section 11 – Careers resources for young people with SEND
Section 12 – Video Resource Directory