Post-16 Transitions with an EHCP

The Post-16 Transfer Process

A young person with an ECHP who is due to move on to a post-16 placement in September will have the opportunity to state their placement preference(s) using the SENAR post-16 preference form and the annual review process. The preference form will be sent to your current school for you to complete.

There is no preference form for years 13 and 14, please discuss this transition during the annual review process.

In this Section

There are slight differences in the transfer process depending on what phase of education the child or young person is moving from. Below is a list of topics covered in this section which includes information for two separate transfer phases. Choose the one that best applies.

What Does the Young Person Need To Do?

  • A young person who is a resident of Birmingham must complete the city council preference form specifically for learners with an EHCP
  • If any of their preferences are for a placement in another local authority they must still complete the city council preference form to name their preferences or discuss this during their annual review
  • Birmingham City Council is required to consult a post-16 placement before it can be named in their EHCP
  • Placements will be allocated per the SEND code of practice 2015 and the admissions criteria described in this guide
  • Each young person will be allowed to make representations and to discuss any concerns they have with their SENAR officer, whose name and contact details will be in the correspondence relating to the proposed placement
  • If a young person or their parent/carer disagrees with the offer, they can appeal to the SEND Tribunal Service. The contact details will be included in the letter sent with their final amended EHCP
Please note:

The Children and Family Act 2014 states that, when amending an EHCP, local authorities must make arrangements to enable young people to say where they would prefer to receive their post-16 education or training.

It may not always be possible to allocate the preferred placement.

To maximise a student’s opportunities for a preferred placement being allocated we recommend four preferences are stated on the preference form.

Please consider preferences that are in accordance with your interests and aspirations. 

Birmingham City Council must comply with a young person’s preference for a local college or sixth form unless the:

  • placement is unsuitable to their age, ability, aptitude or SEN
  • placement would be incompatible with the efficient education of the other young people with whom they would be educated
  • placement would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources

Timeline for the Key Stage 5 Transfer Process

Summer Term onwards – Year 10

  • Attend open days at appropriate post-16 placements and apply directly to the setting
  • The colleges need to inform SENAR of all applications received from young people with an EHCP

By the end of Summer Term – Year 10

  • School careers adviser arranges a full careers guidance interview and issues a Career Action Plan for all those with an EHCP
  • School or placement SENCo arranges the annual review meeting to complete the annual review form and if needed, make changes to the EHCP
  • Student, parent or carer completes the post-16 preference form and sends it to Birmingham City Council
  • The current school or placement sends the completed annual review report form, career action plan, up-to-date school reports, and the student’s preference form to Transfers@birmingham.gov.uk

Year 11 – Autumn Term

  • SENAR will consult with the young person, parental or carer’s preferred options
  • SENAR will also consult with other appropriate placements that are in the student’s local community if necessary

By 31st March – Year 11

  • Final or amended final EHCP will be issued to name the young person’s allocated post-16

Timeline for Year 13 and 14 Transition

A young person with an ECHP who is due to move on from a post-16 placement will have the opportunity to state their placement preference(s) during their transition annual review.

Summer Term onwards – Years 12 and 13

  • Attend open days at appropriate placements and apply directly to the setting
  • The colleges need to inform SENAR of all applications received from young people with an EHCP

By the end of Summer Term – Years 12 and 13

  • School careers adviser completes a Career Action Plan for all those with an EHCP
  • School or placement SENCo arranges the annual review meeting to complete the annual review form, including student preference, to make changes to the EHCP if needed
  • The current school or placement sends the completed annual review report form (including preference), Career Action Plan, and up-to-date school reports to EHCPReviews@birmingham.gov.uk

Years 13 and 14 – Autumn Term

  • SENAR will consult with the young person’s preferred options
  • SENAR will also consult with other appropriate placements that are in the student’s local community if necessary
  • SENAR will propose to cease the EHCP if the young person is leaving education. See the section about life beyond an EHCP for more information

By 31st March – Years 13 and 14

  • Final or amended final EHCP will be issued to name the young person’s allocated setting