Apprenticeships, by nature, are inclusive. They can be completed in any sector, at any level and by apprentices of any age. There’s a wealth of support out there for employers, training providers and apprentices to ensure equal opportunities for all when it comes to apprenticeships. This includes additional support for apprentices with Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCPs).
What is an EHCP?
EHCPs are legal documents issued to children and young people with special educational needs. The EHCP is created by the local authority and includes details of the young person’s specific needs, the support they require, and the outcomes they would like to achieve.
EHCPs are used by school staff to support pupils in achieving their full potential. They can remain valid until the young person turns 24 if they remain in some form of education or training, meaning that they can also provide apprenticeship employers and further education training providers with valuable information about additional support required.
Can a young person with an EHCP complete an apprenticeship?
This will, of course, depend on the individual’s specific needs and circumstances and the demands of the apprenticeship standard. However, the broad answer is ‘yes’!
Additional support is available to build more diverse and inclusive workforces and support young people with EHCPs to overcome barriers to employment.
What additional support is available?
If you are an employer taking on an apprentice with an EHCP, you may be entitled to:
- Reduced training contributions: Usually, employers contribute 5% towards the cost of training and assessment for their apprentices. However, this may be waived if the apprentice has an EHCP, and you may receive an additional grant of £1,000.
- Access to Work grants: Employers may be able to claim grant funding for reasonable adjustments in the workplace, such as adapting vehicles or providing a support worker.
If you are a training provider supporting an apprentice with an EHCP, you may be entitled to:
- Learning support funding: Training providers can claim £150 per month from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) towards providing additional support.
- Excess/exceptional learning support: If the above does not cover the total cost, the provider can claim up to £19,000 in excess learning support. For apprentices who require a significant amount of support, providers may be able to claim more than £19,000 in exceptional learning support.
