Prime Highlights:
- South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) will become the new host for Choices College from August 2026, supporting long-term education and employment pathways for young people with SEND.
- The partnership will help the college continue providing personalised education, supported internships, and real-world experience, empowering students to gain independence and meaningful employment.
Key Facts:
- Choices College supports around 200 learners each year, offering qualifications in English, maths, and employability skills, and works with over 120 employer partners.
- The transition from NHS England to SWLSTG will happen throughout 2026, ensuring students and staff continue their education and placements without disruption.
Background:
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG) has been selected as the new host for Choices College from 1 August 2026, marking a major step in expanding support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Choices College is a national specialist college that provides personalised education and supported work placements for 16–24-year-olds with SEND. Each year, it helps around 200 young people gain English, maths, and work skills through practical experience. The college works with NHS services, local councils, and more than 120 employers to help students become independent and find meaningful jobs.
The move comes after a strategic review identified the need for a strong host organisation capable of supporting the college’s long-term development. SWLSTG was chosen for its shared values, commitment to inclusivity, and focus on improving access to education and employment for disabled and autistic young people.
Ian Garlington, SWLSTG’s Better Communities Programme Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Choices College to our Trust. Supporting young people with SEND into education and employment reflects our values and our commitment to creating healthier, happier communities. This partnership will help the college continue to provide high-quality education and specialised internships while exploring ways to build on its success for future learners.”
Choices College will join SWLSTG’s suite of education-focused initiatives, including Recovery College, which offers mental health support through learning, and a specialist CAMHS service for deaf young people. The Trust also runs programmes supporting placements and employment transitions for mental health patients, along with a new mental health care facility and Social and Emotional Mental Health School in Richmond, developed in partnership with the Department for Education.
The move from NHS England to SWLSTG will happen during 2026, and learners and staff will continue their education and placements as usual. SWLSTG expects the move to strengthen opportunities, encourage innovation, and improve inclusive, employment-focused education for young people with SEND.
