Frequently asked questions

Catch22 Colleges offer post-16 provision for young people aged 16–19 (16–25 where applicable), including those who may benefit from a more personalised and supportive learning environment.

Entry requirements vary depending on the programme and location. We consider your:

• previous learning and qualifications,
• individual needs and interests, and
• suitability for the programme.

There are multiple routes to apply for a place at a Catch22 College. You can apply by:

1. Completing an online enquiry form on the page for the College you want to attend.
2. Speaking with your local Catch22 College team.
3. Attending an initial meeting or assessment.

Applications are accepted throughout the year, subject to availability.

Learners follow an individualised study programme which may include:

• vocational qualifications,
• English and maths (where needed),
• employability and life skills,
• personal development and wellbeing, and
• Work experience or industry projects.

For more information on the vocational qualifications available, please see the local College page.

No. Programmes are tailored to local needs and learner interests.

For more information on the vocational qualifications available, please see the local College page.

Learners move on to further education, apprenticeships, employment, volunteering, or supported employment.

Learners can receive high-quality careers guidance, as detailed below, to support their journey beyond Catch22 College.

We provide small classes, experienced staff, and personalised support to help learners achieve their goals.

All learners benefit from strong safeguarding practices, trained staff, and a focus on wellbeing, ensuring that learners are supported both academically and personally. Staff work closely with learners, families, and external agencies to provide coordinated support when needed.

Catch22 Colleges provide tailored support for learners with a range of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including learning difficulties, social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Support may include:

• Individual support plans to meet specific learning needs.
• Small group support to help learners stay engaged.
• Pastoral and wellbeing services to promote personal development and mental health.

As a post-16 student at Catch22, you may be eligible for financial support to help with your studies. This can include bursaries and other funding to support learning and participation.

You should submit your application forms to College staff before admission or on site. Applications are considered in line with eligibility and funding availability.

You can find guidance, eligibility criteria, and application forms on our financial support page.

Catch22 Colleges want learners to feel supported in all areas of life. You can speak to a trusted staff member, or access these free national services:

Mental health & emotional wellbeing

• NHS 111 – health and mental health advice: NHS 111
• YoungMinds – support for young people: youngminds.org.uk
• Shout – 24/7 text support: text SHOUT to 85258, giveusashout.org
• Samaritans – emotional support 24/7: call 116 123, samaritans.org
• Mind – mental health support for all ages: mind.org.uk
• Kooth – online counselling for young people: kooth.com
• Childline – confidential advice for children and teens: childline.org.uk

Safeguarding & online safety

• NSPCC – child protection advice: nspcc.org.uk
• CEOP – report online abuse: ceop.police.uk
• Internet Matters – online safety guidance: internetmatters.org

Housing & homelessness

• Shelter – housing advice: shelter.org.uk
• Centrepoint – support for homeless young people: centrepoint.org.uk
• The Foyer Federation – housing & support for young people: foyer.net

Money, benefits & practical advice

• Citizens Advice – guidance on money, benefits, legal issues: citizensadvice.org.uk
• Turn2Us – benefits and grants advice: turn2us.org.uk
• StepChange – debt advice: stepchange.org

Careers & education guidance

• National Careers Service – guidance on learning, training, and work: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
• UCAS – higher education applications: ucas.com
• Apprenticeships.gov.uk – apprenticeships information: apprenticeships.gov.uk

Health, relationships & lifestyle

• FRANK – drug and substance support: talktofrank.com
• Brook – sexual health advice: brook.org.uk
• Beat – support for eating disorders: beateatingdisorders.org.uk
• Kidscape – bullying prevention: kidscape.org.uk
• Respect – domestic abuse & healthy relationships: respect.uk.net

• If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.
• For urgent non-emergencies, contact NHS 111 or your local crisis service.

Catch22 Colleges provide impartial, high-quality careers guidance to help learners make informed decisions about education, training and employment. Careers guidance is tailored to each learner’s needs, aspirations and starting points.

All Catch22 Colleges have a Recruitment & Progressions Officer who supports learners with career planning, applications and progression to positive next steps.

Yes. Catch22 Colleges hold the Matrix Standard accreditation, which recognises the quality and effectiveness of our careers education, information, advice and guidance.

You can read more about the Catch22 College careers education, information, advice and guidance policy here.

Learner voice ensures students can share their views, ideas and feedback to help shape their learning experience and college life.

The Learner Voice Forum (YVF) gives learners a platform to contribute to college-wide improvements, develop leadership skills and take part in decision-making.

You can find out more in our youth voice strategy policy.

We aim to have two Youth Ambassadors from each college. Learners who participate in the forum will receive vouchers, with staff support available if needed.

Learners can sign up to receive more information by scanning the QR code on college posters. Signing up does not commit learners to attending meetings, and learners can opt out at any time.

Catch22 Colleges promote positive behaviour and regular attendance to help learners succeed. Learners are expected to be respectful, responsible, and engaged in their learning at all times.

Clear expectations are introduced during induction and reinforced through our:

• Behaviour policy – outlines standards for conduct and the support available to help learners meet expectations.
• Attendance policy – explains the importance of regular attendance and procedures for reporting absence.
• Learner Code of Conduct (part of the wider Behaviour Policy) – sets out rights and responsibilities for learners, promoting a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Staff support learners to understand and meet these expectations, and positive behaviours are recognised and rewarded, while concerns are addressed in a fair and consistent way.

We track progress, attendance, achievement, and progression to ensure learners get the support they need.

Catch22 Colleges are committed to keeping learners safe and promoting their welfare, following Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. All staff and volunteers share this commitment. Safeguarding is ensured through clear policies, safer recruitment, inter-agency working, and employing competent, motivated staff.

For more information, please visit our safeguarding page.

Each college has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who provides guidance to staff, handles safeguarding concerns, and works closely with social care, local authorities, and other agencies.

Catch22 works with children’s social care, education and health services, police, and voluntary organisations to provide coordinated support and protection for learners.

Concerns can be reported to Catch22’s Head of Safeguarding via our online form.

Catch22’s safeguarding form is not monitored 24/7. If you need urgent support, you said:

• Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger or a crime is in progress.
• Contact NHS 111 or your local children’s social care team if the need is urgent but not an emergency.

Yes. Catch22 Colleges are inspected by Ofsted to ensure we provide high-quality education, training and support for young people.

Our most recent Ofsted inspection took place in February, 2022. The overall effectiveness grade was Good.

You can read the full inspection report here.

Ofsted highlighted strengths such as:

• positive relationships between staff and learners,
• strong pastoral and wellbeing support, and
• clear pathways for learners to progress into education, training or employment.

All key policies are available on our website, including:

• Safeguarding and child protection
• Complaints, compliments and feedback policy
• Equity, diversity and inclusion policy
• SEND information
• Data protection policy

You can access the full range of Catch22 College policies here.

We encourage concerns to be raised as early as possible. You can do this by speaking to a member of staff at your local Catch22 College. If your issue is not resolved from this, you can follow our formal complaints procedure, as detailed in our complaints policy.

Yes. We welcome feedback from learners, parents/carers and partners to help us improve our services.