Getting kicked out of college.

Again, not massively clued up on this, but have seen bits from a distance as I work with SEN children.

Case workers tend to be "reactive", dealing with the situation after it has happend.

Im assuming the college are aware of your issues? Have you tried to transfer your college to a closer one?

Gollywood16/02/2022 00:12

OP is minted Plenty of disposable income

17 year old child in care, with a cat and £2500 to spend on a PC, but no job. "sold" a ps5 and banks with santander if you read recent posts. Something doesn't add up...

UPDATE: Wrote an email Independent Reviewing officer and I am moving closer to college. My social worker has spoken to the college asking to give me more time and wait till I move. Can't wait to move on Monday. Thanks everyone who has been helpful on this thread.

Not clued up, but do you have some sort of case worker who can help you

Do you have a student union, or an equalities officer? As I understand it, it is unlawful for a college to discriminate against someone by not taking account of or making reasonable adjustments for someone diagnosed with a mental health condition (or other disability).

ding15/02/2022 22:25

Not clued up, but do you have some sort of case worker who can help you

I do, he is not very helpful at all, I tell him all this and all he says is "Okay" then get nothing back from him.

Unfortunately you have to attend classes as this would have been a prerequisite to you signing up. The college only need to support with reasonable adjustments and they can't do that if the course requires you to go in person and you don't go. Unless you have an ehcp they probably won't do anything realistically. In the council there will be some sort of service that manages NEET, get your care leaver advisor to ask that bit of children's services to help you. Pretty much just say you are be coming at risk of NEET so want to speak to an advisor. That advisor will be able to help with alternative provisions and speak to the college re. Options.
(edited)

Your Young got whole life ahead,
Take care of your mental health first college can wait, once in a better place try a college nearer to you. Have a break if they kick you out wont be end of the world
Mental health is more important tbh mate



My opnion anyway (edited)

Unknown.Legend15/02/2022 23:39

Comment deleted

How can you work in Tesco if you're too scared to leave your room? Playing devil's advocate, and not suggesting you don't have depression, if I were the college, I'd be asking how you can go to work in a busy and stressful environment, but not attend college? Can you transfer to one closer to where you live?

what a horrible set of problems you face OP. Not just in college but it sounds as though your home life is under strain. Aged 17 and as a child in care obliged to travel a ridiculous distance to study, life doesn't sound like its been kind to you.

A first and important question is whether the college is aware of your personal circumstances? If not, you may need to swallow hard and declare them even if you are reluctant to. It should help. Under the circumstances you describe, the college cannot treat you as an adult and withdraw you without parental/guardian consultation. They should have had an adult at the meeting where you were told of their intentions to withdraw you. If not, notify them formally of that fact. But everything will change on your 18th birthday when the law says you become an adult overnight.

Assuming the college IS aware and from what you say of their care at the moment, it sounds like neglect of your circumstances and heading towards abuse. Their Safeguarding protocols should have already kicked in and you should enquire as to what steps they have taken to demonstrate compliance with their policy. It should have already been discussed with you and your guardian. As for a copy of the relevant paperwork alongside asking for help as opposed to being threatening. 17 is a hard age to accept you are not an adult in the eyes of the law but make use of the fact that legally you are a minor and afforded protection from this kind of attack. That will change on your 18th birthday so you need to be challenging them before that date to stop it being used as a on/off switch.

If you could change one thing, what would that be? What effect would reducing the travel time have on your situation? It sounds as though the situation is heading towards an outcome in one way or another and we here can only hope that it sits comfortably with you. I am wondering if you have considered your preferred outcome if continuation proves to be impossible - anther course/another location/deferral etc. Maybe taking control of the outcome will give you confidence even if its not the most desirable solution and enable you to choose what happens next.

You say you can't find motivation, yet you found the motivation to pay on here. I'm not criticising, I know depression is selective and you have no control over it, but have you tried redirecting the motivation to write on here into the motivation to assert yourself with your case worker and college?
To be honest 5 hours a day traveling would depress me. Is there nowhere closer that does the same course, or will allow you to transfer credits to another course? It sounds like your social worker is next to useless, ask for another one. Be insistent.
I wish you luck.

psychobitchfromhell16/02/2022 01:39

17 year old child in care, with a cat and £2500 to spend on a PC, but no …17 year old child in care, with a cat and £2500 to spend on a PC, but no job. "sold" a ps5 and banks with santander if you read recent posts. Something doesn't add up...Read lessRead more

Clever deduction skills, you'd be a good detective, probably desperate for the comments badge

I would recommend you push to get a new case worker who will advocate on your behalf to the college and try and find you somewhere more appropriate to live. How far are you along the college disciplinary system - informal/formal warning etc? If you could get a letter from your GP/local MHS that would aid your cause also. Talk to your colleges' student services they should be able to help you out. Can't see why as you have a genuine reason for not attending and you are submitting work on time that they would just mark you as distance learning til it gets sorted.

2 and half hours away from college is ridiculous. It's not surprising your attendance is low. I would go citizens advise. But chill you're very young and got the rest of your life to study. Wish I was 17 again

If your college, local services and/or care workers are getting you nowhere, have you considered a letter to your MP? They may be able to get you in contact with the right person to take action or pressure the LEA to find a solution.

I understand what you’re going through, and I’m so sorry for you, and hope you stay strong..

do you have an OT? mine is so nice, and does a lot for me..

Mendoza15/02/2022 23:10

I understand what you’re going through, and I’m so sorry for you, and hope …I understand what you’re going through, and I’m so sorry for you, and hope you stay strong..do you have an OT? mine is so nice, and does a lot for me..Read lessRead more

I've had the same therapist since I was 13 under CAMHS. Mine was good for a couple of years but since things got worse I feel like he's kinda lost interest. I'm not sure maybe it's just me .

psychobitchfromhell15/02/2022 23:51

How can you work in Tesco if you're too scared to leave your room? Playing …How can you work in Tesco if you're too scared to leave your room? Playing devil's advocate, and not suggesting you don't have depression, if I were the college, I'd be asking how you can go to work in a busy and stressful environment, but not attend college? Can you transfer to one closer to where you live?Read lessRead more

Sorry I meant worked*

rimalpatel00715/02/2022 23:22

Comment deleted

OP is minted Plenty of disposable income

Im not being negative but 2 half hours away from college is too much - thats 5 hours travelling each day your in college. I would be depressed if i spent 5 hours a day travelling to and from my work place ontop ofmy working day.

I do hope things improve but firstly i would look for a college alot closer to home.

College funding is based on starters and completions, if you are still there after the first 6 weeks (there is a window where new starters don't count) then it is financially beneficial for the college to see you through to the end as long as there is a chance you'll pass. They'll threaten to kick you off but it's rare, blame covid and say you're afraid to catch it now they don't wear masks.

Why are you at a college 2 1/2 hours away?

psychobitchfromhell16/02/2022 01:39

17 year old child in care, with a cat and £2500 to spend on a PC, but no …17 year old child in care, with a cat and £2500 to spend on a PC, but no job. "sold" a ps5 and banks with santander if you read recent posts. Something doesn't add up...Read lessRead more

Okay clearly you have a problem. I did have a cat was when I was at a previous placement. I've been in care for over 5 years and been in alot of placements. Their cat went missing alot and the carers wanted a cat tracker.

Scammed for my ps5. So what's your point? . So what if I bank with Santander. You dont have to be 18. I opened up an account with them at 16. The £2000 PC was for a friend and wanted suggestions and ideas for a pc he was going to get and I tried my best to help him.

Ferris15/02/2022 22:37

Do you have a student union, or an equalities officer? As I understand it, …Do you have a student union, or an equalities officer? As I understand it, it is unlawful for a college to discriminate against someone by not taking account of or making reasonable adjustments for someone diagnosed with a mental health condition (or other disability).Read lessRead more

No I don't , would you know how I could possible get one ?

abigsmurf15/02/2022 23:10

If your college, local services and/or care workers are getting you …If your college, local services and/or care workers are getting you nowhere, have you considered a letter to your MP? They may be able to get you in contact with the right person to take action or pressure the LEA to find a solution.Read lessRead more

Im looking on the internet about letter to MP and it's looks like a it's not a good idea. Is there anyone else I could contact? (edited)

tek-monkey16/02/2022 00:32

College funding is based on starters and completions, if you are still …College funding is based on starters and completions, if you are still there after the first 6 weeks (there is a window where new starters don't count) then it is financially beneficial for the college to see you through to the end as long as there is a chance you'll pass. They'll threaten to kick you off but it's rare, blame covid and say you're afraid to catch it now they don't wear masks.Why are you at a college 2 1/2 hours away?Read lessRead more

I did live closer but moved placements.

Gollywood16/02/2022 00:12

OP is minted Plenty of disposable income

Lol I know it looks at that but that pc wasn't for me. I would only dream to have pc like that. I do have xbox one s though which is nothing compared. (edited)

No matter what carry on with your education, try every way possible just don't let it go. It will help with a stronger mind frame, finances, discipline, and the biggest thing, your feeling of accomplishment. All of this will propel you forwards and you will build strong memories of look how I beat the odds to get to where I am today. All of this will ultimately help the depression.

Also volunteer with a homeless charity, soup kitchen, nothing beats helping people worse off than you

#GoodluckCarryOn

Unknown.Legend16/02/2022 01:51

I did live closer but moved placements.

Shame you can't move college, but not possible mid course

Second year. Can you offer to do your work online. It’s been acceptable for the past two years and you have extenuating circumstances.

If you really live 2 1/2 hours away the college is doing you a favour. It's like travelling from Manchester to London and back everyday, with 250 colleges in the UK that is crazy.

Unknown.Legend17/02/2022 01:31

UPDATE: Wrote an email Independent Reviewing officer and I am moving …UPDATE: Wrote an email Independent Reviewing officer and I am moving closer to college. My social worker has spoken to the college asking to give me more time and wait till I move. Can't wait to move on Monday. Thanks everyone who has been helpful on this thread.Read lessRead more

Glad the iro helped. I would strongly consider Coram in future if you have issues. Their advocate service will help you fight for your rights.