I’m not in school or college, what should I do?

If your parents are educating you at home, they need to follow national guidance and give you a full-time education. You might be very happy being home-schooled. However, if you would like to go to school for some of your education, it should be your choice to do so. Talk to your parents and explain that you’d like to go to a school. For more information about elective home education, visit the Gloucestershire County Council website.

There should never be pressure you to leave your school or place of education to become home educated. If you and your parents are thinking about de-registering from school to begin home education, it is a good idea to get advice from the Local Authority to fully understand what this will mean. Please contact the Elective Home Education Team on 01452 427622 or email ehe@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

If you haven’t been going to school because you feel your additional needs or disabilities aren’t fully supported, you may feel like home education is your only remaining option. Your school should never make you feel unwelcome because of your disability and it isn’t your fault if you aren’t getting the right support. If talking this through with school is too difficult, it is important to discuss this with the Education Inclusion Service or to gain independent advice from SENDIASS Gloucestershire, who can support you to prepare for meetings with school. Keeping the conversation open with school is vital, so that these issues can be resolved.  

The Education Inclusion Service can be contacted by telephone: 01452 427360 or email: schoolexclusions@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Find contact details for SENDIASS Gloucestershire on their service record. 

Exclusion is a step your school might take if they believe you have breached their behaviour policy. However, it is unlawful for school to exclude you for non-disciplinary reasons, such as a disability. Your school should be working with you and your parents to make school suitable for you. Try speaking to school first. If you need further advice about what to do, you can contact the Education Inclusion Service by telephone: 01452 427360 or email: schoolexclusions@gloucestershire.gov.uk or visit: What to do if your child is excluded from school - Gloucestershire County Council

It is not uncommon to feel worried about going to school. It’s always worth talking to your tutor or support staff at school. They should be understanding and help you come up with strategies for managing your worries. Sometimes small changes could really help, such as a soft start (starting later), having a time-out card or leaving class early to get to the next lesson. Most schools will happily put these in place. If you need support for your mental health, find out more on our health pages.

If you can’t go to school at the moment due to health reasons (including mental health) then you may be able to access the Gloucestershire Hospital Education Service. This service is only for those aged 4 - 16 (compulsory school age). Access is only by referral from a medical consultant or a Tier 3 CAMHS professional.

When you turn 16, you have new options about where you’d like to go for further education. College, Sixth Form, an Apprenticeship, or Internship are all options. Remember, between ages 16 – 18, you must be in some kind of education or training. Find out more about Post-16 education if you have additional needs here. If you are not in Post-16 education, employment or training (sometimes shortened to ‘NEET’), you might be eligible for programmes designed to help you find your direction again. Take a look at Works for Me and Young Gloucestershire as a starting point.

If you’ve been educated at home until aged 16, you might have questions about how you can now access Post-16 education. The Youth Support Team can offer advice and support to about the different options and will contact your family at the end of statutory school age (16) to establish what arrangements are being made continue your education and training.

Colleges and training providers often have their own policies around attendance that they ask you to sign at the start of term. Make sure you ask for these to be provided in a different format if you don’t understand them, so that you are fully aware of the attendance terms you are agreeing to.

The Education Inclusion Service provides advice on exclusion procedures. Telephone: 01452 427360 Email: schoolexclusions@gloucestershire.gov.uk or visit: What to do if your child is excluded from school - Gloucestershire County Council

Young Gloucestershire, a charity that supports young people who are facing challenges in their lives.

Forwards Education Team, part of Forwards Employment Service, who support young people on their Post-16 journey into further education and employment and enables them to become active members of their community.

The Youth Support Team  is a targeted service that helps young people who are the most at risk of not making a successful transition into adulthood. 

SENDIASS Gloucestershire for impartial, confidential information, advice and support if you have additional needs and/or a disability.