WHY YEAR 10 IS THE REAL STARTING POINT FOR FE COLLEGE PLANNING IN WALES

A Parent Guide with Evidence from Welsh ALN Law and System Realities

For years, families in Wales have been told that transition planning for Further Education takes place in Year 11.
On paper, it sounds simple and reassuring.

But for ALN families, waiting until Year 11 is often the single biggest factor behind failed transitions, broken placements, and delays in support.

The truth is this:

⭐ Year 10 is the safest, most realistic, and legally aligned starting point for FE transition.

This article explains why, what the law says, where the system falls down, and what parents can do to protect their child’s future.

For deeper context, you can also read our earlier article:
👉 Navigating the Post 16 Pathway in Wales
https://learnwithoutlimitscic.blogspot.com/2025/11/navigating-post-16-pathway-in-wales.html

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⭐ What the ALN Law and ALN Code Actually Say

A few key quotations from the ALN Code for Wales 2021 clarify the intention:

📘 Section 25.9

“Transition planning for a young person must begin at the earliest opportunity and no later than Year 9.”

This is a direct contradiction to the widely held belief that planning begins in Year 11.

📘 Section 26.6

“The IDP must support a planned progression into further education, training or employment.”

A rushed meeting at the end of Year 11 cannot fulfil this requirement.

📘 Section 17.6

“A young person may continue to have an IDP until the age of 25 where it remains necessary for the plan to continue.”

Families need time to ensure that support continues beyond CSA.

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⭐ The CSA Cliff Edge and Why It Matters So Much

Compulsory School Age ends on the last Friday in June of Year 11.

After this:

• school duties fall away

• education legislation changes

• monitoring of welfare reduces

• LAs prioritise younger children with higher statutory protections

• no one sees the young person daily to monitor anxiety or distress

• families lose the ALNCO as a regular point of contact

This is one reason placements fail in FE — the scaffolding falls away overnight.

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⭐ Why Year 10 Is the Correct Starting Point

✔ Two full IDP reviews are required

One in Year 10
One early in Year 11

This gives time for assessments, NHS input, college liaison and multi agency planning.

✔ FE Colleges need early notice

They must plan staffing, access needs, pastoral support, sensory regulation, and 1 to 1 support months ahead.

✔ EOTAS and EHE learners need even more time

Elective Home Educators (EHE) do not have daily school observation data or ALNCO oversight.
Their evidence base is thinner, and professionals often misunderstand their trajectory.

For EHE families:

⭐ “Start in Year 10” means “begin planning at age 14 at the latest.”

Many EHE learners transition at 16, 17, 18, or 19 when developmentally ready — not by chronological year group — so using age, not year labels, is essential.

This is crucial because:

• colleges need to understand developmental not chronological readiness

• NHS waiting lists create gaps in evidence

• Careers Wales cannot contact EHE families first due to GDPR

• EHE parents often must initiate everything alone

Starting late increases the risk of a failed or unsuitable college placement.

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⭐ Where the System Breaks Down

This is a soft but honest policy critique.

Families frequently report:

• conflicting advice

• missing reports

• late contributions from health and social care

• college ALN teams receiving IDPs far too late

• LAs prioritising compulsory school cases

• IDPs not reflecting the reality at home

• no single coordinating professional

These are system issues, not individual failures.

But families experience the consequences.

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⭐ Parent Action Plan for Year 10 and Age 14+ (EHE)

✔ Request a Year 10 IDP review with FE preparation as the focus

Use your legal right under the ALN Code.

✔ Contact Careers Wales yourself

They cannot contact EHE families first due to GDPR.

✔ Ask for written contributions from every agency

No verbal promises.

✔ Follow every call with an email confirming what was agreed

“It is my understanding that on X date, Y was agreed.”

✔ Start gathering evidence now

Assessments
Behaviour patterns
Sensory triggers
Emotional regulation notes
Home school diary
Screenshots
Reports

✔ Make a Subject Access Request if needed

This reveals what is on file and corrects inaccuracies.

✔ Start visiting colleges from Year 10 or age 14 onward

Different campuses have different cultures and provision levels.

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⭐ The Learn Without Limits Parent Transition Toolkit

We are excited to confirm that the Learn Without Limits App will include a full Parent Transition Toolkit.

This toolkit will contain:

• Year 10 Transition Checklist

• IDP meeting scripts

• printable letters

• SAR templates

• Careers Wales contact guidance

• college visit checklists

• sensory regulation in FE

• transport and travel training guidance

• step by step transition planning from 14 to 25

• EHE specific guidance for planning by age, not year group

This toolkit is designed so families across Wales are never again left navigating this alone.

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⭐ Conclusion

Transition to FE should be planned, steady and supported.
The law expects early planning.
Families deserve transparency, not crisis.
And EHE learners deserve clarity on timelines that fit their educational path.

Year 10 is not early.
It is the correct time.
And for EHE families, age 14 is the non negotiable marker.

Learn Without Limits CIC will keep building tools, resources and a community that ensures no young person falls through the transition gap again.