Our programmes are government funded, local, small and friendly.
They are designed to develop confidence, qualifications, work, and life skills to progress into further training or employment.
We specialise in supporting young people who have had challenging experiences in earlier education and need a bridge into further learning or work.
We offer:
- 16 to 19-year-olds (24 with EHCP): study programmes to bridge into further study or work
- 14 to 16-year-olds: limited places for electively home educated study programme
- 18 to 24-year-olds: supported internship (EHCP learners)
- alternative provision for 14 to 16-year-olds
We provide a range of government funded, local, small, and friendly programmes designed to develop confidence, qualifications, work, and life skills to progress into further training or employment.
We specialise in supporting young people who have had challenging experiences in earlier education and need a bridge into further learning or work.
In our July 2025 review, our learners said:
"The staff helped me better than any staff I’ve known to, and they’re very friendly and supportive"
"I was helped by having breaks, good staff support, being treated like an adult"
Learners will:
- build confidence
- experience a different vibe from most mainstream schools and colleges
- develop skills to be independent and safe in life and work
- work out their next steps
- improve maths, English and digital skills
- achieve essential qualifications
- gain valuable work experience
- take part in fun community projects and trips out
16 to 19 study programmes
The programme is available for young people aged 16 to 19 (and up to 24 with an EHCP).
The programme includes essential skills and qualifications for progression:
- maths and English GCSE or functional skills
- digital skills and online safety
- transferable skills and work placement
Learners will follow a core vocational or work preparation option. Speak to us about the options available on each programme. These could be:
- hospitality
- construction
- skills for professionals in horticulture, environment and animal care (including dry stone walling)
- health, social and childcare
- vocational tasters in business and retail, hospitality and catering, sport and activity, or travel and tourism
- work experience (including a programme for 18-year-olds who are almost job ready)
We currently provide 16 to 19 programmes in:
- Bolsover
- Clay Cross
- Cotmanhay
- Derbyshire Dales
- Glossop
- Swadlincote
14 to 16 part time study programme for electively home educated learners (EHE)
We offer very limited places for electively home educated learners whose parents or carers have chosen to be responsible for their education.
If you are home educating your child or considering that option, please email cs.ehe@derbyshire.gov.uk
Our EHE team will confirm the learner's suitability for the Derbyshire Community Education Service (DACES) EHE programme, and priority is given to young people who are year 11 equivalent.
This programme is designed to supplement the education parents are providing at home and cannot exceed 310 hours per year. Parents and carers remain responsible for their child’s education and DACES cannot be the main education provider and cannot be named on an EHCP for under 16s.
We currently have EHE programmes in:
- Bolsover
- Clay Cross
- Cotmanhay
- Glossop
- Swadlincote.
Young people will study for 3 accredited qualifications at their assessed level and there is a minimum attendance of 85% through the whole academic year to support achievement These are:
- Maths and English (functional skills or GCSE)
- Employability and personal development
An EHE learner reflected on what they were most proud of:
“I’m proud of being more confident in my own skin and around others, even if it’s a small group of people I don’t know.”
Supported internship for learners 18 to 24 with an educational health care plan (EHCP)
An educational health care plan is a legal document for young people aged 0 to 25 who require additional support for their education.
DACES are the education provider for supported internships which are a bespoke transition to work programme for students with disabilities.
Currently, we have 3 internships:
- Amazon, East Midlands Airport
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital
- Gulliver’s Kingdom and Lea Green Matlock
A parent of a graduating intern in 2024 said:
“I am so grateful to every single person that has been a part of our journey - this is life changing work!!!”
For more info, you can email supportedinternships@derbyshire.gov.uk. You can also learn more about each programme at supported internships at Derbyshire Local Offer.
14 to 16 alternative provision
We offer a small number of places on our construction and outdoor learning programmes as alternative provision for learners in year 10 or 11.
Schools can contact us to discuss individual provision for learners on their roll using a service level agreement.
Contact us
Fill out a short enquiry form for more information on our learning for 14 to 19-year-olds:
Derbyshire adult community education service (DACES) 14 to 19 study programme enquiry
Financial support statement DACES 16 to 19 programme
Purpose
The purpose of this statement is to:
- set out how DACES will use 16 to 19 Bursary Funding
- define the eligibility criteria DACES will use to allocate the 16 to 19 Bursary Funding
- make sure financial hardship is not a barrier for young people to engage in learning with DACES
Context
- The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support for specific costs linked to participating in further education for those that need it most, and includes payment for free school meals where applicable.
- Applications will be assessed individually and awarded based on financial need
- Bursaries are subject to available funds and eligibility does not guarantee entitlement
- Funds will be allocated to students who meet the eligibility criteria in order of application
- Bursary payments are subject to learners attending and engaging with their programme of learning in line with the DACES Learner Agreement
- Bursary awards apply for one academic year – learners must reapply each year.
- The bursary provides financial support for costs that are directly related to learning which may include:
- support for travel to learning and work experience
- meals while you are learning
- equipment, books and visits that are essential to your course
- childcare
- Where possible, payments will be made in kind. When this is not practicable, payment will be made into a bank account on receipt of evidence. In exceptional circumstances payment will be made in cash with submitted receipts
- Young parents who need to pay for childcare can make an application through DACES for 'Care to Learn' funding.
- There can be no virement between the 16 to 19 Bursary, 19+ Bursary, Advanced Learner Loan Bursary and Free meals bursary funds
- If a learner ceases to attend learning no further payments of bursary will be made.
- If DACES discover that a bursary has been claimed using fraudulent means DACES will take action to recover the payments
Application
Learners should apply using the following form. The form provides clear guidance on eligibility. Parents and carers can support learners to make the application and provide evidence.
16 to 19 financial support for learning application form 2025 to 2026
Eligibility
The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support for specific costs linked to participating in further education for those that need it most. To be considered eligible for any funding within the 16 to 19 Bursary in 2025 to 2026, the learner must be:
- resident in the UK for 3 years or more
- enrolled on a 16 to 19 study programme funded by the Department for Education, or the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
- aged 16, 17, or 18 on 31 August 2025
- aged 19 and over and continuing a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (19+ continuer)
- aged 19 to 24 on 31 August 2025 and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Students aged under 19 enrolled on higher education qualifications are not eligible for support from the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund
Specific award types
Vulnerable bursary
Learners who are on a study programme that lasts for 30 weeks or more will have access to funding needed to participate in learning. This is up to a maximum value of £1,200 if they are identified as a 'vulnerable young person' using these criteria:
- aged 16 to 18 on 31 August in year of application
or
- receiving Income Support (IS) or Universal Credit (UC) in your own name because you are financially supporting yourself or financially supporting yourself and someone who is dependent on and living with you like a child or partner
or
- are known to the local authority as a care leaver or in care
or
- receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in your own name, AND Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) in your own name
Young people eligible for a vulnerable bursary may receive a combination of cash payments and support with direct course-related costs, meals, and transport up to a total annual award of £1,200.
Discretionary bursary
A discretionary bursary may be given to learners who meet the 16 to 19 funding criteria, face genuine barriers to engaging in education and training, and who have a household income of £35,000 or less.
DACES will make discretionary awards based on evidence of need, and this evidence will be retained in accordance with audit requirements.
Applications will be considered:
- if you have a household income below £35,000, after initial awards have been made.
- when household income is £35,000 to £45,000 and education is evidenced to be contributing to financial hardship
Young people eligible for a discretionary bursary can receive funding to provide:
- the equipment needed for their learning programme (excluding electronic equipment)
- £4 for a meal while attending timetabled learning (if not eligible for free school meals)
- a return trip on public transport to attend timetabled learning sessions on the most cost-effective route
- travel and trips that are essential for learning and approved by the 14 to 19 Programme Manager
Funding for childcare (for learners under 19 who are parents)
Childcare funding for all students aged 19 or under is covered by the government’s Care to Learn scheme.
The applications will be administered through the DACES 16 to 19 financial support form.
Free school meals
DACES will administer free school meals allocations in line with DfE guidance as part of the 16 to 19 bursary support.
Free school meals are targeted at learners who are experiencing disadvantage, and when the learner or their parent or carer is in receipt of one or more of these benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- The Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.
- Child Tax Credit (provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 as assessed by HMRC.
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after someone stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
- Universal Credit with net earnings not exceeding the equivalent of £7,400 for each year (after tax and not including any other benefits)
To be allocated free school meals funding, learners must provide evidence of entitlement.
Learners will receive £4 for meals on days that they attend learning. This will be paid weekly.
Emergency fund
DACES will retain a proportion of funds to make emergency payments for learners who are experiencing financial hardship.
The recommendation should be made through the 14 to 19 programme development managers and will be approved by a learning skills manager.