Education for young people with SEND
Getting advice about your options
Connexions provide guidance for young people to help make positive decisions about pathway options and provides support with practical activities such as applications, CVs and interview preparation.
We work with young people in Derby, who are over compulsory school age and under 19. We can help young people to participate in education or training and advise where to look for employment opportunities.
We also support young people aged 19 to 25 with a maintained Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
For more information about Connexions and the services they offer, view the Connexions and Derby Training Providers Network Services Guide.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are paid jobs which allow young people to earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain skills and experience.
They can take between one and four years to complete, depending on the level of apprenticeship, ability, and the industry sector.
More information about apprenticeships and opportunities in Derby can be found on our Apprenticeships page.
Post 18 options
From the age of 18, young people can attend a higher education setting, for example a local university.
Post 16 options
Mainstream sixth form or college
Most young people choose to stay in education by attending a sixth form or a college. Young people may be able to attend a sixth form or college of their choice if they meet the entry criteria.
Local specialist education and training provider
Specialist education and training providers are available to you if you are over the age of 16 and 19. To attend you will need an education, health and care (EHC) plan or have complex needs.
Adult education courses
Our adult education centres teach languages, fitness, counselling, computing and history.
Friar Gate Studios & Skills Centre
Friar Gate Studios & Skills Centre is a one-stop shop for employability, skills, confidence building and independence for young people with SEND. Aimed at learners aged 16-25, the centre is home to a range of services, including:
Transition2
Transition2 offers post-18 Vocational and Preparing for Adulthood learning programmes, including their pre-supported internship ‘World of Work’, and a variety of supported internships. These programmes focus on helping young people gain real-world experience, independence, friendship, and confidence as they move into adulthood and paid employment.
Glow & Grow
As part of their pre-supported internship learning programme, Transition2 learners operate the Glow & Grow training café, a commercial café open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 2pm (and Fridays from January 2026).
Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance (CIAG)
This hub provides support for young people and families navigating education, employment, and training options. This includes the presence of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), giving access to employment and benefits advice.
Parent Carer Forum (Derby SEND Voice)
Families will also benefit from the Parent Carer Forum (Derby SEND Voice), which operates within the centre to offer advocacy, learning opportunities and peer-to-peer support for local families.
Health space
A dedicated health space provides wellbeing advice and multi-agency professionals.
BeConnected
Transition2’s BeConnected service is a wellbeing, movement, and social connection group for young people, and runs regular group sessions focused on connection, confidence, friendships, and belonging, for young adults with SEND.
Travel Training Hub
Derby’s citywide Travel Training Hub, also managed by Transition2, supports young people with SEND to develop the confidence and practical skills to travel independently – an important step towards independence, community inclusion and future employment.
Horizons 6th form
On the first floor, St Martin’s 6th form, Horizons, part of Shaw Education Trust, will deliver tailored 16–18-year-old learning programmes, focusing on personalised education, life skills, and pathways to Supported Internships, further learning or employment.
You can find more information on the Transition2 website.
Friar Gate Studios
22 Ford Street
Derby
DE1 1EE
Email: info@transition2.co.uk
Telephone: 01332 370978