What is the September Guarantee?
The September Guarantee is a requirement for local authorities in England to ensure that young people completing compulsory education receive an offer of a suitable place in education or training by the end of September.
Who is responsible?
Local authorities lead the process, working with schools, colleges, training providers and other local partners.
What can be a suitable offer?
Official guidance allows suitable offers including full-time education, apprenticeships and other qualifying education or training routes. The offer should be appropriate to the young person’s needs.
Does it guarantee my first choice?
No. Admissions requirements, course capacity and employer recruitment decisions still apply.
What does the 2025 data show?
| September 2025 | Local authorities |
|---|---|
| Recorded suitable offers for at least 90% of young people | 140 of 153 |
| Recorded suitable offers for at least 95% | 95 of 153 |
DfE September Guarantee — England — September 2025. These are local-authority management information, not accredited national statistics.
Why isn’t it always 100%?
The policy obligation and the measured management-information rate are not identical. Young people’s activity may be unknown, they may move area, plans can change, and local systems can have reporting issues.
Does an offer mean a sustained destination?
No. An offer is an offer. Destination measures separately examine what young people actually sustain afterwards.
See what 16 and 17 year olds in England are actually participating in, by provider type and qualification aim.
Related explainers
Looking for advice about your own next step?
These pages explain the national system and the public data. For personal next-step guidance, use our Exam Results Explained guides.