Help your child choose, without choosing for them.

Ask what interests them, what worries them and what they want to discover. Not every conversation needs to end with a final decision. Reflecting their words back can be more useful than immediately offering a solution.

Budget, distance and living arrangements are part of the plan. Explain them clearly without using them to end the discussion. Look together for missing information and alternatives worth exploring.

Plan a visit, compare two programmes or meet an adviser. Afterwards, ask what your child learned and what they want to do next. The aim is to build independence with your support.