Guidance Maintaining education and skills training provision: further education providers
Information on vulnerable young people
Vulnerable children and young people for the purposes of continued educational
provision during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak are those across all year
groups who:

are assessed as being in need under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, including children who have a child in need plan, a child protection plan or who are a looked-after child and are up to age 19
have an education, health and care (EHC) plan up to age 25 and it is determined, following risk assessment, that their needs can be as safely or more safely met in the educational environment
have been assessed as otherwise vulnerable by educational providers or local authorities (including children’s social care services), are up to age 19 and who are therefore in need of continued education provision. This might include children on the edge of receiving support from children’s social care services, adopted children, those at risk of becoming NEET (‘not in employment, education or training’), those living in temporary accommodation, those who are young carers and others at the provider and local authority’s discretion.

More information, including the expectations around attendance and encouraging
attendance for different groups of vulnerable young people, can be found in
Supporting vulnerable children and young people during the coronavirus
(COVID-19) outbreak.
From the week commencing 1 June at the earliest, we will be asking colleges
and other providers to invite increasing numbers of young people to return to
on-site provision, alongside priority groups (vulnerable young people and
children of critical workers). Special post-16 institutions will work towards
a phased return of more young people without a focus on specific year groups.
The government has set out guidance on staying alert and safe (social
distancing) to help educational settings support safe provision
for everyone who attends.
Many colleges and other providers have already taken steps to support
vulnerable young people, and the children of critical workers who cannot be
supported elsewhere, and we are grateful to providers for the vital role they
are playing in supporting the national response to coronavirus.
Specifically, we are asking that colleges and other providers:


continue to provide a safe space and encourage attendance: Being in an educational setting can be an important lifeline for many vulnerable young people, particularly where their needs cannot be met safely at home or where they may be at risk of harm.


There is a continuing expectation now and throughout the period from the week commencing 1 June at the earliest that vulnerable young people – regardless of year group – will attend educational provision, where it is safe and appropriate for them do so.


From the week commencing 1 June at the earliest, young people in returning year groups – including vulnerable young people - are strongly encouraged to attend their educational setting where possible, unless they are ill, or guidance says they should not attend.


Providers are expected to follow the process set out on encouraging, enabling and monitoring attendance and following up on non-attendance, see Supporting vulnerable children and young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.


We appreciate that decisions on attendance will likely be based on finely balanced discussions between the education provider, the parent/carer and others, including social workers, local authorities and other relevant professionals where applicable. The decision might be taken that the learner should attend the educational setting on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the needs of the individual. We also appreciate that circumstances do change and therefore attendance decisions should be kept under review. For young people with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, colleges and other providers should ensure that existing risk assessments are up to date. 

Where vulnerable young people are already attending educational settings, they should continue to do so. Where young people are currently not attending but attendance is appropriate, we expect providers and local authorities to consider how to encourage their attendance.
If it is not possible for a vulnerable young person to attend a provider due to public transport routes being closed, then providers should speak to the local authority to consider what alternative transport arrangements could be put in place.


Make alternative arrangements: We are asking colleges and other providers that have been closed to work towards wider opening from the week commencing 1 June at the earliest, so we expect the number of colleges and other providers that are closed to decline. However, in the meantime if a college or another provider is closed, the provider should notify the local authority/social worker. Providers should work with the local authority to ensure that the vulnerable young people who normally attend can be found a place in another educational setting. Providers can also contact their local ESFA team to discuss wider opening and which other local providers it may be possible for them to work with.
Keep in contact with all vulnerable learners: As per the existing guidance on vulnerable children and young people, all vulnerable young people continue to be expected and encouraged to attend educational provision where it is appropriate for them to do so. Colleges and other providers which are currently closed are being asked to work towards wider opening from the week commencing 1 June at the earliest.
However, where it is not safe for vulnerable learners to attend, or vulnerable learners cannot be persuaded to attend education settings, colleges and other providers should maintain regular communication with social workers, vulnerable leaners and their families to ensure they know where their vulnerable learners are and that they are safe. Colleges and other providers should continue to encourage attendance where appropriate. The frequency of contact required will depend on the individual’s circumstances and needs and will be based on the assessment of risk. Social workers will remain in contact with vulnerable learners and their families, including remotely if needed.

Section 15 below is a collection of examples from providers who are
successfully engaging vulnerable young people. It is intended to provide an
opportunity for colleges and other providers to learn from each other’s
emerging practice and develop their approach to engaging vulnerable learners
in education.
Colleges and other providers should continue to comply with the Keeping
children safe in education statutory
guidance. There is further information on safeguarding in Coronavirus
(COVID-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other
providers.
[EHC]: education, health and care
  [ESFA]: Education Skills Funding Agency