Routes to Work FAQs

Yes, but they can only start full-time work once they’ve reached the minimum school leaving age they can then work up to a maximum of 40 hours a week. Find out more on the Government Website.

A paid apprenticeship will be treated as if the person is in paid employment. The parents/carers Child Benefit and Tax Credits will therefore stop. Any Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimed by the young person is not affected.

You’ll usually have to pay Council Tax if you’re 18 or over and own or rent a home.

Who does not count as an adult?

These people are not counted as adults for Council Tax:

• children under 18
• people on some apprentice schemes
• 18 and 19-year-olds in full-time education
• full-time college and university students
• young people under 25 who get funding from the Skills Funding Agency or Young People’s Learning Agency
• student nurses
• foreign language assistants registered with the British Council
• people with a severe mental impairment
• live-in carers who look after someone who is not their partner, spouse, or child under 18
• diplomats

Contact your local council if you’re unsure about whether you can get a discount or who’s responsible for paying. You can find your local district Council through the Government Website

You’ll usually have to pay Council Tax if you’re 18 or over and own or rent a home.

These people are not counted as adults for Council Tax include:

• children under 18
• people on some apprentice schemes
• 18 and 19-year-olds in full-time education
• full-time college and university students
• young people under 25 who get funding from the Skills Funding Agency or Young People’s Learning Agency

People on apprentice schemes

To show that you do not qualify as an adult for Council Tax, you’ll need a declaration from your employer stating that:

• you will not be paid more than £195 a week
• the training leads to a qualification accredited by a body recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) or the Scottish Vocational Education Council (SVEC)

If you wish to discuss this further then you will need to contact your local district Council. You can find your local district Council through the Government Website

You may be able to do some work if you have a disability, illness or health condition and still have the security of keeping any of the following benefits payments and National Insurance credits:

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance

This is known as Permitted Work. Find out more on the Government Website.

Some young people will be in receipt of Universal Credit. There is no Permitted Work with universal credit. Instead the level of Universal Credit is reduced as the level of income is increased.

In all cases it is very important the young person asks for benefits advice to understand how work impacts on each individuals benefits.

You may be able to do some work if you have a disability, illness or health condition and still be able to claim the following benefits payments and National Insurance credits:

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance

This is known as Permitted Work. Find out more on the Government Website.

In all cases it is very important the young person asks for benefits advice to understand how work impacts on each individuals benefits.

Earnings the young person receives whilst in full time education should not adversely affect any benefits. Earnings are disregarded unless they have finished school and are in the terminal date period to September.

If a child is working then Child Labour Laws need to be considered. A 16 year old can oly work full-time 40 hours once they reach the minimum school leaving age and need to be paid through the PAYE. A 12 year old can only work a maximum of 12 hours per week; 2 hours only on school days and Sundays. 13 to 14 year olds can work a maximum of 5 hours on a Saturday and 8 hours for 15 to 16 years. At 18 employment rights kick in. Find out more on the Government Website

An Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan can only come to an end when either or both of the following apply:

• It is no longer necessary.
• The local authority is no longer responsible for your child or young person (CYP).

The Local Authority is no longer responsible for your child/young person when:

• A young person aged 16+ leaves education to take up paid employment (this does not include apprenticeships).
• A young person enters higher education.
• A young person aged 18+ leaves education and does not want to take part in any further learning.
• A CYP has moved to another local authority (but note that the EHC Plan could/should be transferred).

Yes, they can. Not all Apprenticeships require GCSEs or any qualifications at all for that matter. However, if they don't have any GCSEs in English and Maths they will normally need to complete functional skills which will be completed alongside their Apprenticeship. 

The following websites are good starting points for young people seeking employment:

JOBS

Youth Employment UK: Includes details of youth friendly employers as well as lots of useful information and advice for finding work. 

Indeed - online job search site

Monster - online job search site

APPRENTICESHIPS

Apprenticeship Guide - what they are, if they are for you and how you can get one

Government Website (GOV.UK) - search and apply for vacancies

GetMyFirstJob - once registered they will help you find an apprenticeship

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT

Save the Student: A search engine for finding part-time employment.

Student Jobs: A search engine for students, graduates and young professionals. 

Student Employment Services: A recruitment and employment agency specialising in student and graduate internships, student placements and graduate jobs. 

Graduate Recruitment Bureau: The leading recruitment agency for graduate jobs in the UK and also good if you're looking for an internship or placement too. 

All our Nottinghamshire mainstream and specialist colleges offer Supported Internship programmes or can refer you onto a programme with another provider.  

Two of our main Further Education Colleges work with DFN Project Search to offer Supported Internship programmes in local hospitals. Nottingham College work with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust to offer placements at City Hospital and QMC.  Vision West Nottinghamshire College work with Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to offer placements at King’s Mill Hospital.

Please speak to your college Tutor or Additional Learning Support person and/or contact your allocated EHC Co-ordinator within the Integrated Chilldren's Disability Service (ICDS) for further information on the Supported Internship options available.

If a young person isn’t successful in securing paid employment within the host business during their Supported Internship, the education provider will support them to look for other opportunities whilst they are still on programme.

During the academic year, the young person will be introduced and signposted to other services that may be able to support them to continue looking for work once their study programme has ended. This may include services such as DWP, Futures, Access To Work and the NCC iWork team. Some colleges provide their own Aftercare Service and can continue to offer Job Coach support once the Supported Internship has ended. Your education provider and EHC Co-ordinator will help identify the right services to support you as your study programme ends and you move into the world of work.