Preparing for adulthood
Preparing for adulthood is a process that all young people go through. It is an exciting time, but it can also be a difficult time for some young people, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The process can sometimes take longer and need more careful preparation than for other young people of a similar age.
They will need to think about their aspirations, and the outcomes they want for the future in relation to four specific areas:
- Continuing education, training or getting a job
- Living independently
- Having friends and participating in the local community
- Being as healthy as possible
If your child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) you should find that the EHC plan review at Year 9 and every review thereafter, includes a focus on preparing for adulthood. The plan should grow and evolve as your child learns new skills and achieves existing outcomes. Outcomes should be ‘ambitious and stretching’.
EHC plans can now remain in place until a young person is aged 25. The EHC plan will only remain in place though, after age 19, where there are some education or training outcomes in the plan, which have not yet been achieved.
Further information