Youth support services for ages 16 to 18

Overview of information, advice and help for young people (and the adults who support them) to plan their future in education, employment and training.

What are your next steps after Year 11?

All young people have an entitlement to learning and an offer of a place for the next 2 years that hopefully meets their interests and qualifications.

There are many post-16 options in Suffolk for 16-18 year olds:

  • School sixth forms & sixth form colleges
  • Further education colleges
  • Training Centres
  • Part-time Education or employment with accredited learning
  • Online or distance learning
  • Apprenticeships and employment
  • Internships (including supported internships for people with an EHCP)
  • One-off short courses and programmes to build confidence and experience.

The support we offer through Youth Support Services:

  • Getting help to consider and apply for the best post 16 option for you over the next 2 years through Suffolk County Council or other local services
  • Getting support to overcome barriers to education, employment and training; this could include, for example, support with managing anxieties, and building confidence and skills
  • For young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) look for information and the transition guide: Preparing for adulthood - Suffolk SEND Local Offer
  • I've left school/college/a job and I'm stuck! - The Source.

Online resources

You can find out more on the following websites:

Have we been in touch?

Suffolk County Council’s youth support services have a duty to find out what all young people in Suffolk are doing once they have left Year 11 and for the following 2 years. This follow-up also enables us to provide information, advice and guidance around next steps towards Education, Employment and Training.

You may have had a text, phone call or letter from us to ask about your son or daughters’ current education or employment circumstances. You can respond directly to the message, or complete one of the surveys below.

For an update on what you're doing now, please complete the following survey:

Complete the survey

The information we receive from you is also reported back to the Department for Education and the data helps to shape support services and provision available to young people in Suffolk.

To find out how Suffolk County Council looks after the data you give us, visit information about you – The Source.