Parents & Carers

At Milton Keynes College, we understand that every learner is unique—and for students with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), we’re committed to making the transition to college as smooth and supportive as possible.

We know that many parents and carers are closely involved in this journey. That’s why our team is here to work with you, your child’s school, and the local authority to ensure the right support is in place.

The EHCP Consultation Process

If your young person has an EHCP, joining college involves a formal consultation process. This is a statutory part of applying, where either you or the local authority can suggest Milton Keynes College as a placement. We’ll carefully review the EHCP, assess whether we can meet the student’s needs, and provide a response in line with the legal timeframes.

To make sure we’re aware of your child’s EHCP from the start, please ensure the relevant box is ticked on their application. Once we’ve received the consultation, we may invite your child in for an informal visit or initial assessment—this is simply to get to know them, understand their learning style, and begin planning any support they may need.

It’s important that the EHCP reflects current needs as clearly as possible, so that we can provide the most accurate support recommendations.

Tailored Support and Ongoing Review

If a placement is agreed, our Additional Learning Support (ALS) team will develop a support plan, working closely with academic staff, the local authority, and your family. This support may include:

• 1:1 in-class or out-of-class support
• Access to quiet spaces or assistive technology
• Adjustments for exams and coursework
• Support from autism, SEMH, or SpLD specialists
• SEND coaches and wellbeing services

We regularly review support plans to make sure they continue to meet your child’s needs throughout their course.

Not Sure If Your Child Has an EHCP?

If your young person doesn’t currently have an EHCP but needs additional support, they can still receive help through our SEND Support offer. We’ll invite them to an assessment before they start, and work with them to put the right support in place. If appropriate, we can also guide you through the EHCP application process while they’re with us.

For more information, click here