As a parent or carer, talk to your child about their options and career aspirations. You can help them research different careers, entry routes, skills and qualifications required.
Be supportive and show an interest
Explore career ideas with your child
Help them to find work experience to develop their skills and knowledge of the world of work. This could be through: a planned programme at their school/college; a part-time job; voluntary work
Look at websites, prospectuses and attend Open Days to help them find out what provision is available
Encourage them to make applications for post 16 further education courses in October/November of Year 11. School 6th forms and colleges often have early application deadlines. Check with individual institutions to find out when is their deadline
Help them to research higher education courses during Year 12. They will need to complete their applications early in Year 13 to meet deadlines
Encourage them to focus more on gaining qualifications and skills rather than on specific careers. This will help increase their employability
Ask the school if your child will have the opportunity for a personal careers guidance interview with an independent qualified careers adviser
Key decision times for young people aged 13 – 19
Your child will need to make decisions at different times
GCSE Options – Years 8 or 9
Talk to the school about when they will need to choose their GCSE options. Help them research to see if there are specific subjects you need to study for certain careers. Usually the choices available in schools allow students to achieve the EBacc. This helps to keep their options open.
Post 16 Options – Years 10 & 11
Under the Raising Participation Age legislation all young people must remain in education or training until their 18th birthday. This doesn’t mean they have to stay in school! There are a range of post 16 education and training provider options available to them (see our ‘Post 16 Options’ weblet for further information).
Post 18 Options – Years 12 & 13
This doesn’t just mean studying at University! There are a range of post 18 options available to young people (see our ‘Post 18 Options’ weblet for further information).
Funding
Post 16
If your household qualifies for child benefit, you can continue to claim this for young people who are in approved full-time further education or training courses up to the age of 19. Approved courses include full-time further education courses and pre-apprenticeships/study programmes but NOT employed and waged apprenticeships. If your child is on a waged apprenticeship this could affect other benefit payments, such as, Universal Credit.
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help students overcome specific barriers to participation so they can remain in education or training. Students need to check with their college, school or training provider to see if they are eligible.
Post 18
Students studying Higher Education courses can apply to Student Finance for tuition fees and maintenance loans. Some Higher Education institutions offer bursaries.
Students with disabilities can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to cover some of the extra costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
You can get the allowances on top of your other student finance. You will not need to repay DSAs.
