We would like to thank everyone who attended our meeting for families of Year 11, 12 and 13 students and Councillors to discuss post-16 provision, which took place on 15 October 2025. It was a really valuable chance to reflect on the strong foundation of post-16 provision for young people on the Isles of Scilly, and to look at how continued collaboration can help us build on that and further improve outcomes for our young people.
It was great to have a group of parents commit their time at short notice to join us. For those who were not able to attend, the key points from the discussion included:
- Improving communication and access to information, as well as the support available to families for visiting college open days and interviews.
- Maintaining and strengthening post-16 pathways by developing closer links with education and training providers, and with local employers, to widen opportunities for young people after 16.
- Looking at how to develop the role of the Transition Support Worker, with Councillors noting the positive feedback received so far and ideas for how this role could evolve. Our Transition Support Worker has been in contact with most host families supporting young people this year, providing clear information about how to access support. So far, this role has:
- Supported families and young people through regular communication and feedback opportunities and offered visits and support to most host families.
- Provided online support on results day - next year this will be in person.
- Established a regular drop-in for Isles of Scilly Students at Truro College, through a strong relationship with the college. Suggestions to build on this with other colleges are being acted upon.
- Continued delivery of enhanced support for young people with SEND
- Continuing to improve the Preparation for Adulthood offer in partnership with the school, particularly by making good use of the Year 10 trip, revisiting the Preparation for Adulthood trip designed by the local policing team and funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner and exploring what can be offered by the voluntary community sector.
- Ongoing discussions with the Department for Education regarding funding for Post 16- including apprenticeships.
- The development of a fund for hardship and additional vulnerabilities to help ensure all post-16 students can access the same opportunities.
- Adding further assurance around host family arrangements, including an update on actions taken so far and helpful suggestions from families. This will be designed to provide families, young people, and the Council with greater assurance around the suitability and safety of host arrangements. This will include:
- DBS checks for all families promoted by the Council
- Council of the Isles of Scilly, suitability and home assurance testing
- Safeguarding awareness training provided by Children’s Services for host families
- Fire safety assessments completed by the Fire Service
- Recommended good practice will include access, for our host families, to both Youth Mental Health First Aid and First Aid courses and a Frequently Asked Questions document will also be produced to support host families.
Next steps
A number of next steps were agreed to continue building on what’s already working well and to keep broadening the opportunities available to our young people. The honest feedback from parents was invaluable, and it was encouraging to hear that the meeting felt like a fresh start with a positive and engaging tone to the discussion.
This was the first in a series of meetings for the families of Year 11,12 and 13 students. Councillors would like to hold the next session at 6pm on 16 December 2025, at the Wesleyan Chapel on St Mary's, to keep up the positive momentum and strengthen communication with families.
We also have a strong desire to hear directly from our young people – both those in and out of school – and are planning to engage them shortly after half term. Their views will help shape our new Children and Young People’s Plan, which will form part of the wider Corporate Plan, reinforcing our commitment to continued joint working with our islands’ families.
We hope to see many of you at our next Post 16 discussion in December, however if you have any questions or feedback at any time, please email post16@scilly.gov.uk or submit any concerns or complaints to enquiries@scilly.gov.uk in line with our corporate complaints process.