Your child can legally leave school at the end of the school year in which they turn 16 (normally the end of year 11). However, all young people must be in some kind of education or training until the age of 18.
Leaving school and moving on to adult life can be a worrying time for all young people and their families. This can be especially difficult for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities.
Your child may be thinking of attending college when they leave school. You should contact the college before your child starts to make sure that they can meet your child's needs.
The college and your local authority will talk to your child about the support they may need.
Our SEND Hub can provide you with information on what support is available to you and your child.
Education, health and social care
Support for children and young people runs from 0-25. Once a young person reaches the age of 18, support may move from children's services to adult social services.
You can find out about adult services in North Somerset on our website, including more information about the transitions team.
If a young person who has an education, health and care plan (EHCP) has achieved the outcomes in their EHCP by age 19, then no further special educational provision should be required after that age. This means that for some young people, their EHCP will cease to be maintained after age 19.
If a young person over the age of 18 continues to have an EHC plan, they may have social care and health needs. Depending on their needs, at 18 a young person may receive a full needs assessment under the Care Act (2014).
Similarly, health services will be provided by adult health services once someone turns 18.