Careers Advice and Post 16 Learning Options
In England all young people are required to participate in some form of education or training until they turn 18. This doesn’t mean staying in school—it can include different pathways, such as:
- Full-time education at school or college
- Apprenticeships, supported internships, or traineeships.
- Working 20 hours or more a week or volunteering, combined with part-time education or training.
This factsheet explores the available post-16 education and training options for Disabled people and highlights the support systems in place to help them succeed in education, training, and employment.
Contents
2. Choosing the right learning environment
3.1 Non-advanced further education options
4.3 Education, Health and Care (EHC Plan)
4.4 Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
1. Careers advice and support
Careers advice can help you explore their options and make informed decisions about your future. Many schools, colleges, and universities offer careers services to support this process.
Careers advisers can help you think through your strengths and interests, understand the skills different jobs require and explore training routes to develop those skills. If you are unclear what your strengths are, careers advisers may help you to do different exercises which can help to identify these and recommend different things to try.
They can also provide information on local opportunities, how to apply, and the support you can expect.
While careers advisers won’t tell you what’s best, they can help you think through all the options, connect you with Disability Advisers at colleges, local employers, and training providers and help you access the resources you need to make informed decisions about your future.
State-funded schools and further education colleges in England are required by law to provide independent and impartial careers guidance to students aged 11 to 18, or up to the age of 25 if you have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. This should cover opportunities at school, college, university, apprenticeships and jobs with training.
If you have an EHC plan, your year 9 annual review of the plan, and every review after that, must include a focus on preparing for adulthood.
Most universities and colleges offer careers services that provide:
- Guidance on career options and next steps.
- Support in writing CVs, completing applications, and preparing for interviews.
- Opportunities for networking and mentoring to connect students with professionals in their field.
- Careers fairs where students can meet potential employers and explore job and internship opportunities.
You can also use the National Careers Service, which offers advice about careers in England. If you’re aged 13 or over you can access advice through webchat, telephone and email helpline. If you’re aged 19 or over you can also get face-to-face advice. Call to make an appointment with an adviser at your nearest National Careers Service Centre.
The National Careers Service
Telephone: 0800 100 900
Website: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
If you’re looking for information about training or careers in other parts of the UK, please visit:
My World of Work – Skills Development Scotland
Website: www.myworldofwork.co.uk/
Careers Wales
Website: https://careerswales.gov.wales/
Careers Service Northern Ireland
Website: www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers
2. Choosing the right learning environment
Staying at School
You may choose to stay on at your current schools sixth form or move to a different school. This option provides a more familiar and structured environment where you can study academic or vocational qualifications such as A levels, T-levels and BTEC’s.
Mainstream Further Education (FE) Colleges
FE colleges offer a range of academic and vocational qualifications, as well as stepping-stone courses in Maths and English. Colleges also work with local employers to provide work placements as part of vocational courses and run programmes focused on life skills and independence to help you prepare for all aspects of adult life.
Specialist Colleges
Specialist colleges can support day and residential options. They employ a wide range of specialist staff such as assistive technology experts, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists. These colleges focus on building independence, with students developing life skills alongside academic or vocational studies.
To attend a specialist college, you will need to have an EHC plan. You can ask your local authority to name a specialist college in the EHC plan if it is identified that this is the most suitable option for meeting your needs.
Adult Education Centres
Adult education centres are a good option if you are aged 19 and over and want to gain new qualifications, re-enter education after a break, or pursue a career change. You can reach out to the Disability Support Team or Student Services at the centre discuss adjustments that will help you access your course.
Online Learning
Online learning offers a flexible wat for students to pursue education. It can include full-time or part-time courses leaving to academic or vocational qualifications.
3. Post 16 options
3.1 Non-advanced further education options
You can pursue qualifications like:
- A Levels: Academic qualifications normally studied over two years and are subject-based like maths, science, history, and English. They are designed for students looking to continue to university.
- T Levels: A combination of classroom learning and industry placements, preparing students for specific sectors such as healthcare, engineering, or digital services. T Levels take two years to complete and include a significant work placement component.
- Vocational Qualifications as BTECs: Practical qualifications that are career-focused. BTECs are available in various fields such as business, health and social care, and IT, and are suitable for students who prefer hands-on learning combined with academic study.
- Entry Level Qualifications: For students needing extra support, entry-level qualifications or stepping stone courses can help them progress towards further study, such as GCSEs or vocational qualifications.
- Life Skills Courses: Designed to help students with additional needs, covering essential life skills such as communication, budgeting and employability skills to help prepare for independent living or work.
- Post 16 education can include bespoke learning pathways designed to integrate therapy, life skills and education into a single bespoke programme. Some of this support may be funded by social care.
For information on qualification levels and what they mean see the list on the Government website.
3.2 Training options
Supported Internships
Supported Internships are available to disabled young people aged between 16 and 24 who have an EHC Plan and want to move into employment and need extra support to do so. They combine practical work placements with learning and support.
On a Supported Internship, you’ll spend most of your time in the workplace doing a real job. You’ll also have a personal study programme.
The internship can help you with your long-term career goals, give you new skills and real job experience. Supported Internships are especially helpful if you want to improve your confidence. You will receive support from a job coach to learn more about a particular job role. The internship normally lasts for at least six months and up to a year.
All colleges, sixth forms and independent specialist providers in England can offer Supported Internships as part of their learning programme for disabled students.
Access to Work can be used for Supported Internships. This means that government money is available to help with extra disability-related support costs in the workplace, including a job coach and additional disability-related cost of travelling to work. See section 4.5 for more information on Access to Work. You can apply for Access to Work up to six months in advance of starting a Supported internship.
Traineeships are designed to prepare you for paid employment if you don’t yet have the skills and experience that employers are looking for. They help you become ‘work ready’ and include work preparation training, such as CV writing and interview skills, maths and English and work experience to help you move into a job or apprenticeship. Traineeships typically last between 6 weeks and 1 year.
The advantages of traineeships include that they give you real work experience, knowledge, confidence and skills to succeed at work. Employers should give you an ‘exit interview’ when you finish, or a job interview if a role becomes available. You also get a reference at the end of the placement.
You won’t usually get paid on a traineeship, but employers are encouraged to cover expenses such as transport and meals.
Traineeships are available in England for young people aged 16 to 24, or up to the age of 25 with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. You need to be qualified below level 3.
Access to Work can be used for traineeships. See section 4.5 for more information on Access to Work. You can apply for Access to Work up to six months in advance of starting the traineeship.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships allow those aged 16 and over to receive practical training by working in a real job at the same time as studying.
As an apprentice you will:
- work alongside experienced staff
- gain the skills necessary for work
- study for a particular qualification
- be paid a salary and get the same rights as employees.
Apprenticeships usually last for between one and six years depending on which apprenticeship you choose, the level and your previous experience in that job area.
There are different levels of apprenticeships:
- Intermediate: equivalent to five A*-C or 4-9 GCSE grades at Level 2 and suited for those starting out in their chosen career.
Advanced: Equivalent to two A Levels at Level 3 - Higher: equivalent to Foundation degree, a Higher National Certificate (HNC), or a Higher National Diploma (HND), NVQ Level 4 and above
- Degree: leading to Level 6 and 7, equivalent to a full bachelor’s or master’s degree
Almost all jobs have apprenticeship programmes. The Apprenticeships website has lots of examples of different types of apprenticeship and videos of different apprentice experiences.
If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship, you will find our Into Apprenticeship guide useful. The guide deals with common questions such as how to find an apprenticeship, whether the training will be accessible and what support is available in the workplace. There are several inspiring stories written by Disabled apprentices about their own experiences and the challenges they have faced. The guide also contains a useful resources section listing further websites, publications and organisations which can help.
Learning Support Funding and Access to Work may be able to contribute financial support for apprentices, employers and training providers to deliver reasonable adjustments and support during your apprenticeship.
3.3 Higher education
Universities provide a wide range of degree-level courses. An EHC Plan ends once you move into higher education. However, support is still available. Universities have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled students. See section 4.1 for information on reasonable adjustments. You may be eligible for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) to fund support such as specialist equipment and assistive software, non-medical helpers such as mentors and additional travel costs due to disability. See section 4.4 for information on how to apply and what it covers.
3.4 Volunteering
Volunteering helps young people build skills, gain experience, and develop their confidence in a structured setting. It can also be a stepping stone to further education or employment.
4. Disability support
4.1 Reasonable adjustments
Under the Equality Act 2010, education providers and employers must make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers for Disabled students, trainees and employees. These adjustments ensure equal access to learning, training and work opportunities.
Education and training providers have staff members, such as Learning Support Advisers or Disability Advisers to support Disabled learners. Within the workplace you can speak to your manager or human resources about adjustments. They should be the first point of contact for discussing adjustments, identifying barriers and coordinating support. Advisers should work with you to assess your needs, recommend adjustments and liaise with teachers, exam officers or other staff to ensure the adjustments are implemented effectively.
A Learning Support Plan (LSP) is usually created to outline your needs and ensure that everyone involved in providing support understands their responsibilities and delivers support consistently.
Reasonable adjustments might include:
- Extra time in exams or on assignments
- Accessible learning materials such as braille or large print
- Specialist equipment, such as adapted computers or assistive software.
- Flexible working hours for apprentices or work experience placements.
- Sign-language interpreters
- Digital recorders for taking notes
- Adjustable desks or other physical modifications
You can find more examples of adjustments based on impairment in our factsheet Adjustments for disabled students and apprentices.
4.2 Learner support funding
In further education, colleges and training providers are required to make reasonable adjustments for Disabled students and trainees. See section 4.1. They are not allowed to turn students away due to the cost of their support, nor are they allowed to charge students for their support. It is important that you talk to you college or training provider about your individual needs and discuss how these may be managed.
Colleges and training providers receive money from the Education Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to meet the costs of reasonable adjustments. This is often as referred to as ‘Learning Support' and is provided in a way to enable them to be flexible in the way they support all their students.
If you have high support needs and an EHC Plan, your individual needs will be funded though this by the local authority. See section 4.3. Where an EHC Plan is not in place, the college can apply for extra money called Exceptional Learning Support to meet support costs above £19,000 in a funding year.
For more information on how disability related support is funded in further education see our factsheet ‘Funding further education for Disabled students’.
4.3 Education, Health and Care (EHC Plan)
An Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan is a legal document that outlines the educational, health, and social care support a young person requires to achieve their goals in further education. EHC plans apply to young people up to the age of 25 who have special educational needs or disabilities and require support beyond what a mainstream education provider can typically offer.
If you have an EHC Plan, your local authority must ensure the provision described in the plan is delivered. The EHC plan can also give you more choice about which school, college, or training provider you attend.
If you don’t have an EHC plan, your school or college is still required to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure you are not disadvantaged. See section 4.1.
To request an EHC Plan, you or your parents, teachers or healthcare professionals can contact your local authority. For detailed information on EHC assessments and Plans, see the online resources of Independent Provider of Special Education Advice (IPSEA).
4.4 Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
DSA is a grant available to help you access the support you need in higher education. DSA is not means-tested and is available to cover the extra study-related costs that arise from having a disability.
DSA can cover a range of costs, including:
- Specialist equipment: This could include assistive software, ergonomic furniture, or other equipment required to facilitate learning.
- Non-medical helpers: This could include mentors, study skill support workers and mobility trainers.
- If your disability means you cannot use standard public transport, DSA can help cover additional travel costs.
- Other disability-related costs: This might include additional printing or photocopying if your disability means you need printed rather than digital materials.
You apply for DSA through Student Finance. The application process involves filling out a form, providing medical evidence or diagnostic assessments, and undergoing a needs assessment to determine what support is required.
You can read more about DSA in our factsheet Applying for Disabled Students Allowance.
4.5 Access to Work
Access to Work is government funded support scheme which provides support to cover the costs of workplace adjustments. This scheme is designed to help Disabled employees overcome barriers in the workplace and thrive in their jobs.
It can help in a number of ways, for example by paying towards:
- Assistive technology, adapted workstations, or communication aids
- Support workers to help with daily tasks or navigating the workplace such as a job coach
- If you cannot use public transport due to your disability, Access to Work can help with travel expenses
- Support for managing mental health conditions at work.
Access to Work can cover all of the agreed costs for anyone starting an apprenticeship, traineeship or Supported Internship. If you’ve already been employed for six weeks or more, the employer may have to help pay some of these costs. How much they pay depends on the size of the company.
To get help from Access to Work you can apply online. An Access to Work adviser will then contact you and your employer to find out what support is needed.
Your college, university or training provider should be able to help coordinate your Access to Work support. See our factsheet for information about Access to Work.
4.6 Social Care Support
Local authorities can assess students for care support, such as personal care ad independent living. If a student is under 18, a Child’s Needs Assessment can be requested from social services to determine the type of care and support they will require.
Once a student turns 18, they may be eligible for support through adult social care. This can include personal care, assistance with daily tasks, travel support, or support to live independently.
You can request an assessment through your local authority. The assessment will evaluate your needs and determine whether you qualify for a personal budget to pay for support. You may be able to receive direct payments to manage your own care, allowing you to arrange and pay for services yourself.
4.7 Benefits
Most full-time students can’t claim welfare benefits but there are some exceptions to this rule.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has replaced Disability Living Allowance for people between the ages of 16 and 64. PIP is a non-means tested benefit for people who need help taking part in everyday life or find it difficult to get around. It Is always paid on top of other benefits.
For more information, see our factsheet on PIP.
Universal Credit (UC)
Universal Credit (UC) is a new benefit which has been rolled out across the UK to replace working age means-tested benefits.
Most full-time students are not eligible for UC but there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, you can claim Universal Credit if you have been assessed as having a limited capability for work before starting full-time study and receive PIP.
If you have not been assessed as having a limited capability for work before starting full-time study, the DWP will refuse your Universal Credit claim. CPAG Scotland has produced a detailed factsheet on students and UC. Although the factsheet is for Scottish students, the situation is similar across the UK.
For more information, see our guide on UC.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
New style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit available is you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your ability to work. Eligibility is based on National Insurance contributions, not your household income or savings. You will qualify if you pass a work capability assessment and meet the contribution conditions.
For more information, see our factsheet on new-style ESA.
Resources
Skills for Careers
A new website launched by the DfE in October 2023, providing comprehensive information on careers and skills training options. It covers apprenticeships, A Levels, Skills Bootcamps, and Multiply, offering guidance on writing job applications and CVs. Website: skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk
Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK) Programme
Funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency, this program helps schools promote apprenticeships to students from years 7 to 13. It also provides tailored support for students facing barriers to apprenticeships, such as learning difficulties. Website: amazingapprenticeships.com/ask](https://amazingapprenticeships.com/ask)
Discover Uni
An official source for comparing higher education courses and outcomes, owned by the UK’s higher education regulatory bodies. Discover Uni provides data from the National Student Survey, Graduate Outcomes Survey, and Longitudinal Education Outcomes to help students make informed decisions about university.
Website: discoveruni.gov.uk
National Careers Service
Offers free and impartial careers advice to people aged 13 and over. Available by phone, online chat, or face-to-face appointments.
Website: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
Information on DSA and how to apply is available through Student Finance. www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas
Access to Work Scheme
Financial support for disabled people entering apprenticeships, supported internships, traineeships or work.
Website: www.gov.uk/access-to-work
Association of National Specialist Colleges
The Association of National Specialist Colleges provides information on specialist colleges and the support they offer.
Website: www.natspec.org.uk
National Apprenticeship Service: Offers guidance and information on finding apprenticeships in the UK.
Website: www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
Amazing Apprenticeships
The Amazing Apprenticeship website is packed with information, resources and activities whether you’re a parent, teacher or thinking of becoming an apprentice yourself.
Website: www.amazingapprenticeships.com