The review process supports you to become more involved in decisions about your future as you grow older. When you're 16 and you're at the end of compulsory school age this is an important stage in your transition to adulthood. You also have increased rights to make requests and decisions about your life.
Your parents or carers can continue to support you in making decisions, or act on your behalf if you're happy for them to do so. For most young people, their parents will continue to be closely involved in discussions and planning for their future.
Your plans for your future
At the beginning of year 11 we will write to you to ask what your plans are for your education or training the following year. We will send a copy of the letter to your parents or carers. You may not have decided exactly what you want to do but it's helpful to know what options you're thinking about.
Review of your EHCP
In year 11 the review of your EHCP must take place in the autumn term. This is so that there's enough time to plan and prepare for your education and support after the age of 16.
Most young people find that local further education colleges can meet their needs. We consult with local colleges to make sure they can meet your needs, provide the right support and help you achieve your outcomes.
You want to stay at the same school
If you already go to a school with a sixth form or post-16 provision, you won't automatically be able to stay there. You need to discuss this with us, your local authority, so it's important to think about all your options.
If you go to a local maintained special school you may benefit from extra time in school after year 11. As the local authority we would need to agree to this based on the advice we get from:
- you
- your parents or carers
- the school
- other professionals who know you
We may also consult with local further education colleges or other local providers to see what other options may be available.
You want to go to an independent school or college
As the local authority we would need to agree if you want to attend an independent special school or college after year 11. We would need information about:
- the independent school or college you want to go to
- any local maintained special schools
- any local further education colleges
We may not agree to you attending an independent school or college if we think there's a local school or college that could support you.
Outcomes in your EHCP
The review meeting is also a chance to think about the outcomes in your EHCP and update them to make sure they support the next stage of your development and transition to adulthood. It's also important to use this review meeting as a chance to keep talking about your aspirations for the future and what support you need to achieve them, for example:
- what jobs you might like to do when you're an adult
- your options for education or training
- your future goals
- how you're going to live independently
- what things you want to do in your community, like your hobbies or interests
- what your future health needs will be