Send students leaving college 'face less choice'

For many students about to leave college there will be excitement about the next steps. But for some students with additional needs, their options can be much narrower.

The BBC is following six students at the National Star College - which provides specialist further education for people with disabilities - as they prepare to leave and move to the next stage of their lives.

At the Gloucestershire college's annual transition event in October, students and their families met groups and organisations offering help with supported living, social activities and wellbeing.

But some parents and students said they were concerned the options available are fewer due to their additional needs.

Aayan, from Wales, is autistic and has additional learning difficulties.

His dad Nadeem said he was concerned the options available to Aayan after college will be limited.

"If Aayan cannot find a suitable placement comparable to his learning in the National Star College this would be a significant step backward," he said.

"The whole purpose of transition would be killed. It's like going to uni and then going back to college, you don't move forward."

Nadeem said he would like to advocate for people with learning difficulties or disabilities to have an individually tailored approach when transitioning to the next step.

"The whole purpose should be to have a meaningful transition rather than just a movement from one place to another place," he said.

One of the criticisms from families is that there is no level playing field of opportunity for their children, particularly when it comes to employers taking on people with disabilities.

One of the organisations which spoke to families at the event was Twocan, an inclusive theatre company.

Its Journey to Independence project works with young people to create opportunities that do not necessarily exist elsewhere.

Executive producer Louise Partridge said: "One young lady is particularly interested in childcare so we set up Twocan Toddlers, a mother and toddler group, so that she can then work in that sort of provision for the community."

Sophie is due to leave National Star College in July.

She would like to live independently and get a job if she can, but for now will stay at home.

"I want to earn some of my own money. I actually want to share it with my family and we can go on holiday to places like Majorca," she said.

Her mum Caroline said finding the right supported living near to where they live in Cheltenham is hard.

"It's just a minefield because I am entrusting them with my daughter," she said. "It's not the easiest thing in the world but I want what she wants and I want her to be happy."

Over the next few weeks the students will start to have review meetings with the adult social care teams at their local authorities.

They will discuss next steps, be assigned social workers and look at what they may be offered in terms of accommodation and opportunity.

The students' futures rely on the financial support from stretched local authority health and social care budgets.

For the families and organisations that provide the help, getting funding decisions sooner rather than later is crucial.

Prosperity Care and Wellbeing provides supported living and care in Gloucestershire, Swindon and Bristol.

The team has been talking to families and students at National Star but said it is also in limbo as it has plans for new accommodation that relies on funding decisions from councils.

"We speak to parents, we see their frustrations when they're waiting to hear back from local authorities," said Jade Griffiths from Prosperity.

"Trying to get that funding if they're out of county is such a battle. I think by collaborating together, having a smoother process, it will not only support the families going through this but help those students live more fulfilling lives."

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