We have several different options for learners aged 14 to 19 years (24 with EHCP). Our programmes are government funded, local, small and friendly and are designed to develop confidence, qualifications, work, and life skills to progress into further training or employment. We specialise in supporting young people that have had challenging experiences in earlier education and need a bridge into further learning or work:
- 16 to 19 (24 with EHCP) study programmes to bridge into further study or work
- 14 to 16 limited places for electively home educated study programme
- 18 to 24 supported internship (EHCP learners)
- alternative provision for 14 to 16-year-olds
We provide a range of government funded, local, small, and friendly programme which are designed to develop confidence, qualifications, work, and life skills to progress into further training or employment. We specialise in supporting young people that have had challenging experiences in earlier education and need a bridge into further learning or work.
Our learners said (July 2025 review):
"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 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
- business and customer care
- health, social and childcare
- sustainability
- leadership
We provide 16 to 19 programmes in:
- Alfreton
- Bolsover
- Clay Cross
- Cotmanhay
- Eco Centre, Wirksworth
- Glossop
- Long Eaton
- Swadlincote
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. The Derbyshire adult community education service (DACES) are the education provider for supported internships which are a bespoke transition to work programme for students with disabilities. We have 3 internship programmes with large employers but can also develop individual internships:
- Amazon East Midlands Airport
- Chesterfield Royal Hospital
- Gulliver’s Kingdom and Lea Green Matlock
Parent of graduating intern:
“I am so grateful to every single person that has been a part of our journey - this is life changing work!!!”
Please email: supportedinternships@derbyshire.gov.uk and learn more about each programme at supported internships at Derbyshire Local Offer.
14 to 16 alternative provision
To gain more information on our learning for 14 to 19-year-olds please view the following form to complete a short enquiry form and the 14 to 19 team will contact you.
Derbyshire adult community education service (DACES) 14 to 19 study programme enquiry
Contact
Fill out a short enquiry form for more information on our learning for 14 to 19-year-olds and a member of the 14 to 19 team will contact you.
Derbyshire adult community education service (DACES) 14 to 19 study programme enquiry
We are legally obliged to have our 14 to 19 financial support statement and process on our website. Please see the following statement:
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
- ensure that 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 which are 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 whilst you are learning; equipment, books and visits that are essential to your course and childcare
- wherever possible payments will be made in kind - where 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 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 / 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 which are 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 31st August 2025
- aged 19 and over and continuing a study programme they began aged 16 to 18 (19+ continuer)
- aged 19 to 24 on 31st 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 16-19 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 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
- receive 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
- receive 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 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 who 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 and will be retained in accordance with audit requirements.
- have a household income below £35,000. Applications will be considered after initial awards have been made where household income is £35,000 to £45,000 if education is evidenced to be contributing to financial hardship
Young people eligible for discretionary bursary can receive funding to provide:
- Equipment needed for their learning programme (excluding electronic equipment)
- £4 for a meal whilst attending timetabled learning (if not eligible for free school meals)
- a return trip on public transport to attend timetabled learning sessions on most cost-effective route
- Travel and trips that are essential for learning and approved by 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. Further details are on the Care to Learn website. The applications will be administered through the DACES 16 to 19 financial support form.
Free school meals
DACES will administer free school meal allocations in line with DfE guidance as part of the 16 to 19 bursary support. Free school meals are targets at learners who are experience disadvantage whereby the learner or their parent / carers are 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 £4.00 for meals on days that they attend learning. This will be paid weekly.
Emergency fund
DACES retain a proportion of funds to make emergency payments for learners that are experiencing financial hardship. Recommendation should be made through 14 to 19 programme development managers and will be approved by a learning skills manager.