What is changing this year
You finish compulsory school age this year. You need to decide what education or training you will do until 18. Decision-making for your EHC plan moves from your parents to you at the end of Year 11. Transport rules change for post-16 and you may need to contribute to costs. Some benefits and health consent rules change at 16.
What to do this year
- Apply early for post-16 places in college, sixth form or training.
- Understand EHC plan changes at 16 – decision-making moves to you.
- Apply if eligible for post-16 transport by 30 June; expect a contribution and renew each year.
- Check benefits – you may claim PIP or Universal Credit in your own name, or your parent may stay as your appointee.
- Prepare for health consent – from 16 you make your own treatment decisions.
Education and planning
Year 11 is a turning point. School often ends earlier for exams, and you choose your next steps. You must continue in education or training until 18, but you decide what that looks like. Use open days and taster sessions to compare settings, courses and support.
See Your future and Post 16 education for more information.
Health and wellbeing
From 16, you can consent to your own treatment. That puts you in control. This means that you can take the decisions over what treatments you do and do not have. A doctor is not allowed to tell your parents, carers, or family members unless you agree. A Hospital passport can help you share what works for you. Ask for information you can understand, take notes, and check back key points.
You may be invited to attend transition clinics which are jointly run by staff from children’s and adult health services.
Find more information on Moving between children’s and adults healthcare.
Social care and support
Support should grow with you. If your needs change, it is okay to adjust how help is provided. Remember that referral to the Transition to Adult Social Care teams can happen from the age of 14, to ensure everything is in place by 18.
Find more information on Moving to Adult Social Care services.
Money and benefits
At 16, some benefits change. You may be able to claim in your own name (for example PIP), or your parent may stay as your appointee if that works best. If you got Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as a child, you will be reassessed for PIP. Disabled students receiving DLA or PIP may be eligible for Universal Credit whilst in education. But this is only if they have also established a limited capability for work before they started receiving education. The charity Contact recommends in these cases you try to arrange a work capability assessment when your child turns 16.
Find out more about Universal Credit for young people.
If you think you might struggle with the costs for education and training next year you may be eligible for a bursary. This may help you pay for things like clothing, books and other equipment for your course, and transport and lunch on days you study or train. Find more information about 16 to 19 Bursary Fund on GOV.UK.
For parents claiming Child Benefit they will need to tell the Child Benefit Office if their child will be staying in approved education or training after the age of 16, or if their child aged 16 or over has left approved education or training.
Find out more about Child Benefit between the ages of 16 and 19 on GOV.UK.
Transport and travel
Post-16 transport is different. You need to apply each year by 30 June and pay a contribution. Travel assistance is usually at the start and end of the normal day. You will need to plan your timetable, travel times and self-study to fit.
More information on Over 16 student transport.
You usually need to be 17 before you can hold a licence to drive a car. However, if you received the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, or enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payments, you can hold a licence from the age of 16. Those people can apply for their provisional licence from 15 years and 9 months
See Learning to drive for more information.
Legal and citizenship
The Mental Capacity Act applies from 16 if you need support to make decisions. You can register to vote from 16 and will be able to vote from 18. Practice making choices with support if needed, and register to vote when you are ready.
While parental responsibility technically ends on the child’s 18th birthday, the Court of Protection has jurisdiction over young people from the age of 16 in certain circumstances. If mental capacity will affect their ability to make decisions or manage affairs in adulthood it is better to prepare for this earlier rather than later. By applying to be a legal deputy before they turn 18, if needed, parents aim to have the order in your hand just as they reach legal adulthood.
More information on the Mental Capacity Act and Making decisions and voting.