Support for children aged 0-25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Qualifications

There are many ways that young people can gain experience and knowledge, prepare themselves for the world of work and develop independence skills.

Academic Qualifications - a formal style of learning based more on theory than practical activities”. There are many different types of school qualifications, including academic and vocational (work-related) ones. In the UK School qualifications include GCSEs (level 2) and A-Levels (level 3). After school other options include:

  • General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) is a set of qualifications for students in the UK that most students take GCSEs when they are 15 or 16 years old, usually in Year 10 and Year 11. Some students may study GCSEs in a sixth form or college as part of their post 16 studies.
  • Functional skills: Functional Skills are practical, real-world qualifications in English and maths that serve as a GCSE alternative
  • A Levels: Academic level 3 qualifications typically taken after GCSEs to prepare for university.
  • T Levels: Technical vocational level 3 qualifications focused on a specific job or career path.
  • Apprenticeships: Paid work combined with training to gain practical skills in a work environment and working towards an industry related qualifications. For further information see Supported Internships and Apprenticeships pages on the local offer.
  • Vocational courses: Learning involving practical activities, and career-focused courses in areas like construction, engineering, and hospitality, e.g. BTECs.
  • Life skills/independent living: A flexible way to recognise and reward achievement, with a focus on personalised learning and progression. An example is ASDAN.
  • Supported Internships: Are structured study programmes based primarily at an employer with access to Job Coaching support. For further information see Supported Internships pages on the local offer.
Useful Websites