Education, employment and training 

Education, employment and training

The transition meeting and transition plan a young person completes at school will help them to decide what education, training or employment would suit them after leaving school.

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This could include:

• Staying on at school (if the school has sixth form)

• Going to a college

• Starting an apprenticeship

• Going on a traineeship

• Going to another independent school or college

• Going on a supported internship

• Volunteering opportunities

As a young person gets ready to leave school, the school will help them to look at the different options. Colleges might invite young people to come for the day and see if they like it.

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If a young person is worried about moving on from school, it’s good to talk to teachers or

head of year who can support and offer advice and guidance. The careers advisor may also be able to help support young people without an EHCP in year 11 who need extra help to access education, employment or training.

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Most colleges will offer extra support for students with disabilities or additional needs. It is best to apply early to give the college time to arrange the extra support. If the young person is on an Education, Health and Care Plan, they will be able to discuss choices with your careers adviser.

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Transport to and from school

Just because a young person used transport to and from school before, does not automatically mean they will get transport when they are 16. When a young person reaches 14, it is a good idea to start to think about how to get to school or college more independently.

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For more information about school transport, click here.

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Money for going to college

Depending on the young person's situation, they may be entitled to help with the cost of college. Speak to the college or a careers advisor about this to find out more information about eligibility. Most colleges are free for young people to access until the age of 19 years.

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Preparing for adulthood - Post-16 guide

This Post‑16 Guide has been co‑produced in partnership with Northumberland’s education partners, Careers Advisors, SENCOs, young people, and their families. Together, we have created a shared resource designed to support informed, ambitious decision‑making for all SEND learners as they prepare for adulthood.

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The landscape of post‑16 education and training evolves quickly, with providers regularly reviewing and updating their course offers. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this guide is accurate at the time of publication, we recognise that opportunities can change throughout the year. We encourage readers to use this guide as a starting point and to follow the links provided to access the most current details from each organisation.

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Northumberland County Council is committed to continually improving how we share information about local pathways and opportunities. We look forward to co‑designing the next edition of this guide with our partners and community and will be exploring more accessible, flexible, and timely ways of presenting this information in Autumn 2026 - ensuring that young people, families, and practitioners always have clear, up‑to‑date support at their fingertips.

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Download or view the guide by clicking here or on the image below. ​