Helping You Find the Right Place for YOU
Leaving school and thinking about what’s next can feel like a big deal. Maybe you’re thinking about college, sixth form, or somewhere that helps you learn life skills or get ready for work. You might be excited. You might be nervous. That’s okay.
The important thing is to find a place where you’ll feel comfortable, where people understand you, and where you can work towards the things you want in life — whether that’s more learning, getting a job, becoming more independent, or just figuring things out.
SEND Support for You
- Is there someone here who helps students like me with SEND? Can I meet them?
- Have the teachers and staff had training to understand different needs like autism, ADHD, or learning difficulties?
- If I need extra help in lessons, how does that work here?
- Do you have support staff or mentors who can help me if I’m struggling?
- Can you show me how you’ve helped other students like me before?
Learning and Lessons
- How will you make sure I can understand the lessons and work?
- Can learning be adapted for me if I need it to be simpler, visual, or on a laptop?
- If I need breaks during lessons, is that okay?
- Do you have courses for students who need more time to learn or aren’t ready for exams yet?
- Are there smaller group lessons if big classes are hard for me?
Starting and Settling In
- Do you do taster days where I can come and try things out?
- Can I have extra visits if I feel worried about starting?
- How will you help me settle in and get used to the new place?
- If I get anxious or overwhelmed, is there a quiet space I can go to?
- Will you talk to my school to find out what support I need?
Some things that help me, include:
– Meeting my teachers and getting used to the building before school starts.
– Leaving lessons 5 minutes earlier to beat the rush in the corridors.
– Having a time-out card, so I can leave lessons if I feel overwhelmed.
– Having access to a quiet room.
– Reduced timetable to begin with.
Georgia
Wellbeing and Mental Health
- Is there someone I can talk to here if I’m feeling stressed, anxious, or upset?
- Do you have wellbeing staff or counsellors?
- How do you help students who need extra support with emotions or behaviour?
- Are there calm spaces I can use if things get too much?
- What do you do to help students like me feel included and confident here?
- Can I bring my own equipment like fidgets and headphones to support my wellbeing?
Keeping in Touch with Home
Do you keep my family updated about how I’m doing?
Can my family have meetings with you if they’re worried or want to check how I’m getting on?
Do you listen to what my family says about what support works for me?
If there’s a problem, who should my family talk to?
Independence and Life Skills
- Do you teach life skills like travel training, cooking, or money management?
- Are there courses that help me get ready for work or volunteering?
- Can I have work experience while I’m here?
- Will you help me learn how to speak up for myself and make my own choices?
- How do you help students plan for life after college?
Friendships and Social Life
Are there clubs, groups, or social activities I can join?
If I find it hard to make friends, will there be support to help me with that?
Is there a buddy system or mentoring to help new students settle in?
How do you make sure everyone feels included, even if they need extra support?
What do break times and lunchtimes look like — is there help if I find them tricky?
Qualifications and Exams
What types of courses and qualifications can I do here?
If exams are difficult for me, are there other ways I can show what I’ve learned?
Can I get extra time, a reader, or other help in exams if I need it?
If I’m working at a different level, how will my progress be recognised?
Do you offer more practical or hands-on learning options?
Working with Other People Who Support Me
Do you work with other professionals like therapists or careers advisors?
If I have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan), how will you make sure it’s followed here?
Do you help with EHCP reviews and planning for what’s next?
How will you include me in EHCP meetings and ensure that my voice is heard?
If I need extra support (like speech therapy), how will that happen here?
Do you work with services that help students find jobs or supported living when they leave?
Final thoughts
You don’t have to ask all of these questions at once.
Pick the ones that feel important to YOU.
You can even write them down or ask a parent/carer to help you remember.
This is your future. You deserve to feel happy, supported, and included.
Resources
Some extra info you might find useful…
Education & Jobs - our films
Check out some real-life experience of education & employment from young people with SEND, that might prove useful for you to learn about.
SEND in Education
And we have lots of articles about your 16+ education options on our main Kids website, so be sure to visit and have a read.
Other stories you might like
