This Let's Talk session took place on 21 September 2026, and had a focus on Post 16 SEND Support. We heard from the teams about the work in this area, and they answer questions from families.

How can Dorset Council better support vocationally motivated young people who struggle academically and miss post-16 entry requirements? Our son is 16 and is dyslexic and has ADHD, and has had an individual support plan since preschool. He has a strong passion and proven ability in sport since he was 3, yet after 12 years of education and regardless of his efforts he missed GCSE requirements, leaving him feeling he had failed and had no future. What can be done to ensure practical strengths, interests and vocational potential are considered alongside grades? There is more to a person then grades!

There are a range of post-16 pathways available for young people whose strengths are practical or vocational rather than academic. Colleges often offer courses at different levels, including foundation and vocational programmes that can provide progression routes into areas such as sport, engineering, construction and other sectors.

Ongoing work across the partnership in the post-16 and post-19 space will be looking at where there are gaps, both geographically and in terms of subjects and working towards a broader, more easily accessible offer for our learners.

The Dorset Council Next Steps Team can work with young people to explore their strengths, interests and aspirations, identify suitable pathways and discuss alternative routes where GCSE entry requirements have not been met.

You can contact them by emailing [email protected]

Will I be able to talk to someone from the council personally at the DPCC Big Event about college and my son? It’s about waiting for decisions and his mental health.

Yes. Representatives from Dorset Council's Learning and Belonging Service and other SEND services will be available to speak with families individually at the event. This is an opportunity to discuss specific concerns relating to post-16 education, support available, transitions and wellbeing.

My daughter is 17 and has recently received an autism diagnosis. She has been unable to access an appropriate education for four years because of severe anxiety and sensory difficulties. She is academically able, wants to learn and would like to retake her English GCSE and then study A levels, but she needs a specialist SEMH/autism-informed environment rather than mainstream. What post-16 provision is available in Dorset that could meet these needs, and allow her to study GCSE English and A levels with appropriate support? If there is currently no suitable provision, what can Dorset Council put in place through her EHCP to enable her to access the education she wants and is capable of doing?

Most post-16 providers are expected to offer inclusive environments with staff trained to support autistic and neurodivergent young people. For young people with more complex needs, the annual review process and EHCP planning can be used to consider whether additional support or a more specialist provision is required.

Dorset's post-16 providers include mainstream colleges and other specialist or independent provisions. The most appropriate setting will depend on the young person's needs and the support required.

If a young person has an EHCP, the annual review process can be used to consider whether mainstream provision with additional support is suitable or whether a specialist placement or alternative package of support should be explored.

Decisions should be based on the young person's individual needs, aspirations and views, with support from education professionals, families and relevant services.

What specific steps is DC taking to introduce supported work experience, internships and apprenticeships WITHIN and across DC itself for SEND YP? Not just in practical areas but also knowledge-based areas such as data, policy development and business services?

Although we don't currently host, we do support our teams to seek opportunities for our young people. We do know that some of the organisations around the county who offer Supported Internships have sufficient places, but these are not taken up. This could be down to suitability, need for further promotion and the location of these opportunities.

Work is underway to strengthen work experience opportunities, and supported apprenticeships are an area being explored for future development.

We will be considering all of this as part of our ongoing work around our Post-16 young people, and there will be further communications/information around this in due course. We continue to promote a range of pathways for young people with SEND, including Supported Internships. Through the Dorset Careers Hub we have run specific information sessions for careers leaders in the range of options for young people with SEND, and sessions for SENCO's to support the work they do with annual reviews and preparation for adulthood.

My SEND daughter doesn't even go to school. Will she be able to access a 14-16 college when she is older please?

Access to post-16 and college-based provision is not dependent on attending school currently. Many colleges offer foundation-level programmes that support young people to develop skills, confidence and qualifications, including English and maths, without requiring specific prior attainment.

Colleges are experienced in supporting young people with different educational backgrounds and can put personalised transition arrangements in place where required. We would recommend you contact your local colleges for further guidance.

You can also contact us on [email protected] if you would like to have a conversation with us about your daughter’s particular circumstances.

Does the careers guidance continue in 3rd sector provision? My child is already in a post-16 setting. We had little support with this, he had no work experience, despite this being promised. Can I expect careers support post 16?

Yes. Careers guidance should continue in post-16 settings, including third sector provision. Young people are entitled to access careers advice and guidance after age 16, and providers should have a named Careers Lead who can arrange support.

If support is difficult to access, families can contact Dorset Careers Hub for advice and signposting.