Going to college, including residential college — Easy Read

Start with what you want to learn

Further education includes learning after secondary school, such as practical skills, qualifications and preparation for work. Explore mainstream colleges, specialist providers and local adult learning services. A useful course should connect with your interests and goals: a job, communication, daily living, friendships or community participation. Visit if possible and ask to try a session. Your aspirations should guide planning, including when progress is not measured through exams.

Ask the college about support

Contact the college's learning support or special educational needs team before starting. Explain communication, sensory, physical and health needs. Ask about accessible teaching, equipment, personal care, quiet spaces, breaks and support on placements. Colleges have reasonable adjustment duties and must use their best endeavours to secure required special educational provision for relevant students. An EHC plan is not required for every learner to receive support. Agree how staff will check whether support works.

What a residential college means

Some specialist colleges offer day places, residential places or both. A residential place means staying at college for agreed nights or weeks while learning there. Arrangements vary: do not assume weekends or holidays are included. A specialist college may teach communication, independent living or work skills alongside other learning. Residential college is one option, not the right choice for everyone. Compare what matters to you, including staying near family, friends and your community.

Compare colleges and try a visit

Natspec’s directory lists member specialist colleges and shows day or residential provision. It covers more than England, so check the location and rules that apply. Ask about age range, courses and the needs each college can support. Arrange an accessible visit and ask whether an assessment or trial stay would help. Meet students where possible. Bring questions about teaching, communication, health support, personal care and what you will do outside lessons.

Check everyday life as well as lessons

Ask to see bedrooms, bathrooms, classrooms, leisure spaces and routes around the site. Check privacy, visitors, friendships, internet access, meals, cultural needs and activities. Ask who is available at night and how epilepsy, medicines or other health needs are supported. Explain communication and sensory needs, including support for autistic people. Ask how staff will help you speak up, complain or change a plan. Your wishes should shape the arrangements.

EHC plans after school

An Education, Health and Care plan, often called an EHC plan or EHCP, may continue during further education or training where it remains necessary. It does not automatically end at 18 or 19. Equally, a plan is not an automatic entitlement to education until 25. Decisions must reflect the individual and legal criteria. The annual review should consider outcomes and the move into adult life. Degree-level higher education uses different support arrangements; an EHC plan does not continue simply because someone goes to university.

Learning through work

Supported internships are usually for young people aged 16 to 24 with special educational needs or disabilities and an EHC plan. They combine education with a substantial work placement and a job coach. Placements are normally unpaid; the aim is paid employment, not a guaranteed job. Some local pilot provision includes people without an EHC plan. Apprenticeships are different: you are an employee who earns a wage while learning. Ask the training provider and employer about entry requirements and adjustments.

Check funding and practical arrangements

Ask for a written explanation of course fees, additional learning support, travel, meals and equipment. Funding depends on your age, course and circumstances; a learning disability does not make every course free. Ask about bursaries and other help. Check how study or paid training could affect your benefits before changing arrangements. Adults can also explore community learning, English, maths, digital skills and other courses beyond the EHC age range.

Agree the placement and funding in writing

Discuss a proposed specialist or residential placement through the EHC plan process where applicable. Explain what provision you need and why the proposed setting can meet it. The council must apply the relevant legal tests when considering your preferred college; the rules differ for some types of independent provider. An offer from a college does not by itself confirm council funding. Ask for written decisions, the named placement and the agreed education, accommodation, care and transport arrangements before committing to costs.

Separate education, care and accommodation costs

Ask which organisation will fund each part, what is included and whether any personal contribution is proposed. Health or care provision that educates or trains a child or young person is treated as special educational provision for EHC plan purposes; it should not simply be labelled chargeable care. Other support may require a separate health or social care assessment. Residential bursary schemes have their own eligibility rules and are not a general guarantee of funding for specialist residential college. Get individual advice if responsibility is disputed.

Plan evenings, weekends, holidays and coming home

Write down the nights and weeks covered by the placement. Agree who arranges travel, equipment, medicines and support during closures, visits home and holidays. Ask what happens if you are ill or the placement breaks down. Plan how to keep friendships and community connections. Start discussing the next step well before the course ends, including where you want to live and learn or work.

If the council refuses your preferred option

Ask for the decision and reasons in writing, and compare them with your needs, EHC plan and college assessments. IPSEA and your local SEND information, advice and support service can explain the options. Some EHC plan decisions can be appealed to the SEND Tribunal, including disputes about the named placement. Check the decision letter promptly because deadlines apply. A complaints process is not a substitute for an appeal when an appeal is needed.

Find local choices and plan ahead

Your council's SEND Local Offer should explain provision for children and young people, including post-16 options and transport arrangements. For older adults, ask local colleges and adult education services directly. Bring someone you choose to planning meetings. Ask who will organise health or social care support when college is closed, and prepare the next step before a course finishes.

Going to college

Residential college

Look at your choices

Life outside lessons

Get a clear funding decision

Check weekends and holidays

If you disagree

What you can do next

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