Post-16 support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: what is different?

The short answer

England's EHC-plan rules do not apply across the UK. Wales uses the Additional Learning Needs system and Individual Development Plans, including in further education. Scotland uses the additional-support-for-learning framework while a young person is at school, with specific transition duties before they leave; college support is then arranged with the college. Northern Ireland currently uses Statements of SEN and Transition Plans at school, while further-education colleges arrange their own learning and disability support. Ask who maintains the current plan, what transfers, and who will deliver support in the next setting.

• Use the official terms for the nation where the young person studies.
• Do not describe an IDP, co-ordinated support plan or Statement as an EHCP.
• Wales can use statutory IDPs across school and further education.
• Scotland requires school-to-post-school transition planning, but a school CSP is not a college support plan.
• Northern Ireland Statements continue in school sixth form, while colleges arrange their own support.
• Contact the next setting early and confirm provision rather than assuming a document transfers unchanged.