Knowing about local post-16 options and how they can help young people grow into an independent adult with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications to get a job is essential.
“It's important that young people and parents have this knowledge so they can make decisions that will help them thrive and succeed in life,” explained Christine McInnes, Director of Education and SEND.
“Young people with SEND are more at risk of not moving into jobs, so offering different pathways to work, such as supported internships, supported employment, and apprenticeships, we can help young people with SEND gain the skills and experience to enter the workplace confidently and become financially independent.”
Over the past 18 months, the Council has been working with a number of special schools on a project designed to make sure that young people with SEND and their parents are well-informed about the different post-16 pathways available in Kent, rather than needing to rely on expensive out-of-county placements.
“We have many fantastic post-16 settings in Kent where students with SEND can learn alongside their peers in an inclusive environment,” said Christine. “This helps them feel like they belong and develop important social skills. They get to experience a diverse learning environment that reflects the real world, preparing them for future jobs and social interactions. Plus, these settings offer a wide range of resources and support services to meet the needs of every student.”
Take Archie, age 22, who was a residential student at a special school and college in Surrey until last year. Following conversations with Archie, his parents and the school, Archie chose to attend Grow19, a small specialist post-16 college for young people with SEND aged 18-25 years old in East Malling.
He started in September 2024 studying for a City and Guilds Level 1 Introduction to Hospitality and has thrived there. As part of the course, Archie had a work placement in a local pub.
“I cleaned the floor and the surfaces,” explained Archie. “I polished knives, forks and spoons with a bucket of hot water and a cloth, and I also polished the golden pole to the left side of the bar with a special chemical to make it shiny. I poured my first pint, set the table for customers, cleaned up cigarettes outside and had to load the dishwasher.
“It makes me feel happy about working in the pub. My dream is working in a pub and thanks to Angie, my tutor my dream came true.”
As part of his course, Archie had a work placement in a local pub
Kent’s trial has led to more students choosing to stay in Kent for their post-16 education and training.
“In 2023-24, 55% of the young people we talked to at Grow19 went onto employment, volunteering, or Supported Internships, compared with the national average of just 4.8%,” explained Christine.
“We are really pleased that these young people are experiencing the many benefits of choosing to move to settings in Kent to study and we’re excited for their future prospects.”
By increasing awareness of local options, the Council has successfully reduced the number of students opting for out-of-county placements. This shift not only benefits the students by keeping them close to their support networks but also helps the Council manage costs more effectively.
The project, which has been running since April 2024 has saved almost £3 million to date of council taxpayer funds. In Archie’s case, his move from a placement in Surrey back into Kent has saved £177,165, contributing to the work the Council is doing to control its overspending on SEND and bring it in line with the money provided by Government.
