SEND students share nerve-wracking journey planning life after college

Kate, 19, from Bath, is eagerly awaiting this event.

The final-year student has cerebral palsy and lives in one of the college's residencies in Cheltenham.

When she leaves, Kate wants to live independently and work in building or interior design, particularly when it comes to making properties more accessible.

"I like trying to find places where they put ramps and lifts in better," she said.

However she's nervous about leaving as, at the moment, it is heading into the unknown.

"I prefer things to be set, so I know, rather than not [knowing] what I'm going to do next," she said.

Kate's ambition mirrors Chris' from Gloucester.

He's visually impaired, and has grown in confidence since joining National Star College - especially through work placements with local charities, where he's helped sell goods online.

"I want to start my own business in reselling.

"I'd rather be doing something with my life than being bored.

"Even though my visual impairment has stopped me doing things, life shouldn't stop you. Put your mind to it," said the 19-year-old.

But like many people in Chris' situation, the opportunities are not always there.

His mum Claire said: "Chris has tried everywhere to get just a little Saturday job and nothing's there."

Meanwhile Billy, 23, who has cerebral palsy, had to fight two tribunals challenging his local authority to fund his place at National Star.

It is not cheap, with the average cost per student anywhere between £20,000 up to £300,000 a year depending on individual requirements on living, therapy and care.

It is funded in England through Education, Health and Care plans (EHCPs) but his family, say National Star was 100% the right place for Billy.

His mum Jeanette said: "He's a lot more mature since he's been here and his communication has got so much better."

Dad Rich says he's so friendly but his social skills have improved.

"At restaurants he used to spend most of the evening sitting with other people on their table and talking to them but he sits with us now! We've ended up in the kitchen with the chef before now," he added.

A lot of the work the team at National Star are doing now is starting to prepare students like Billy for leaving.

His family hope he'll win funding to live independently in supported accommodation.

Working with his personalised learning coordinator, Ruth, Billy is starting to understand that next July he'll have to leave.

He signs that he's sad, but using a communicator, he says he wants to work as a refuse collector.

Not all of the students want to live independently. Rhi, 23 and from Wales, sustained a brain injury after being starved of oxygen at birth.

When she leaves college, she will return home to live with her family, as their house has been specially adapted to meet her needs.

She can only communicate through blinking, saying "yes" or "no", but also working with a therapist is now able to use an electronic communicator to say a few words.

Being at National Star made her feel happy and loved, she said.

While she is not worried about leaving, she has urged those making decisions about her future to listen to the choices she wants to make and give her independence.

Her mum Jayne says that National Star has been so transformational they're applying for her to stay another year, but that's not guaranteed.

"It'll be another fight about what to do next, otherwise. We haven't seen a social worker since just before she started here so we're just waiting to hear," she said.

In Wales the government funded places for students at National Star but that's now being devolved to local authorities.

Lynette Barrett, chief executive of National Star, said the three years at the college can go in a flash and is urging local authorities to stay in touch with the students so that the transition is easier.

The college works hard to make sure the opportunities are there when students leave, but there is a postcode lottery of opportunity, she said.

"There's a reducing number of providers out there that are offering appropriate social care for young adults with complex needs," Ms Barrett said.

"That includes supported living, residential care and meaningful occupation.

"It's incredibly difficult for somebody to get therapy after specialist education and often that is the most critical part of their life going forward because without the appropriate therapy, be that for physiotherapy, speech and language or occupational therapy so they can use equipment and be as independent as they can, it's very hard for to continue to have a good quality of life."

Ms Barrett added: "These are people in the UK that are as important as anybody else and we live in a society where we think that we value our own citizens and we have to recognise that a value for a young person is more than just a financial cost."