Support for Care Leavers with SEND

If you have a special educational need or disability (SEND), you may be entitled to additional support as you become more independent and move into adult life. Being a care leaver does not mean that support for your SEND automatically ends when you turn 18.

You may be able to get help with things such as education and training, employment, housing, health services, money and benefits, independent living skills, travel and accessing support in your local community. If you have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, this may continue after you leave school or college, depending on your individual circumstances.

Your Personal Adviser (PA) can help you understand what support is available, make sure your needs are considered when planning for adulthood, and help you access services that can support you to achieve your goals.

This section explains the additional support, services and opportunities that may be available to care leavers with SEND, as well as where to go for advice if you need more help.

The support you receive will depend on your individual needs and circumstances, but you may be able to get help with:

Housing and accommodation
Managing money and benefits
Education, training and employment
Physical and mental health
Daily living and independent living skills
Transport and travel
Accessing community activities and support services
Building relationships and support networks

Your Personal Adviser (PA), social worker or other professionals working with you can help make sure you get the support you need.

The support you receive will depend on your individual needs and circumstances, but you may be able to get help with:

Housing and accommodation
Managing money and benefits
Education, training and employment
Physical and mental health
Daily living and independent living skills
Transport and travel
Accessing community activities and support services
Building relationships and support networks

Your Personal Adviser (PA), social worker or other professionals working with you can help make sure you get the support you need.

You have the right to:

Be listened to and involved in decisions about your life
Receive information in a way you can understand
Ask questions and get support when you need it
Feel safe where you live
Be treated fairly and with respect
Receive support that takes account of your individual needs

Everyone is different, and support should be tailored to you.

You have the right to:

Be listened to and involved in decisions about your life
Receive information in a way you can understand
Ask questions and get support when you need it
Feel safe where you live
Be treated fairly and with respect
Receive support that takes account of your individual needs

Everyone is different, and support should be tailored to you.

If you are entitled to a Personal Adviser, they can help you understand your options, access services and work towards your goals.

They may be able to help with:

Finding suitable accommodation
Managing money and benefits
Attending appointments
Accessing health services
Education, training and employment opportunities
Learning independent living skills
Finding local support groups and activities

If something feels confusing or difficult, let your PA know. They can help explain things clearly and break information down into manageable steps.

If you are entitled to a Personal Adviser, they can help you understand your options, access services and work towards your goals.

They may be able to help with:

Finding suitable accommodation
Managing money and benefits
Attending appointments
Accessing health services
Education, training and employment opportunities
Learning independent living skills
Finding local support groups and activities

If something feels confusing or difficult, let your PA know. They can help explain things clearly and break information down into manageable steps.

You will still be entitled to SEND support in college, even if you do not have an EHCP.

Find colleges in Hampshire.

If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), it may continue until you are 25 if you remain in education or training and still need support.

Speak to your college, training provider, SEND team or PA if you are worried about getting the support you need.

You will still be entitled to SEND support in college, even if you do not have an EHCP.

Find colleges in Hampshire.

If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), it may continue until you are 25 if you remain in education or training and still need support.

Speak to your college, training provider, SEND team or PA if you are worried about getting the support you need.

Becoming independent takes time, and everyone learns at their own pace.

You may be able to get support with:

Cooking and healthy eating
Shopping and budgeting
Paying bills
Keeping your home clean and safe
Laundry and household tasks
Managing medication
Using public transport
Attending appointments
Building routines and confidence

Learning these skills can take longer for some people, and that is okay. There is support available to help you develop them gradually.

Becoming independent takes time, and everyone learns at their own pace.

You may be able to get support with:

Cooking and healthy eating
Shopping and budgeting
Paying bills
Keeping your home clean and safe
Laundry and household tasks
Managing medication
Using public transport
Attending appointments
Building routines and confidence

Learning these skills can take longer for some people, and that is okay. There is support available to help you develop them gradually.

You should have somewhere safe and suitable to live.

If you have a disability or additional needs, these should be considered when decisions are made about your accommodation.

Depending on your circumstances, this might include:

Adapted accommodation
Ground floor accommodation
Specialist equipment or aids
Additional support from staff
Help managing a tenancy
Support with routines and daily living
A quieter living environment

If your accommodation is not meeting your needs, speak to your PA or another professional supporting you.

You should have somewhere safe and suitable to live.

If you have a disability or additional needs, these should be considered when decisions are made about your accommodation.

Depending on your circumstances, this might include:

Adapted accommodation
Ground floor accommodation
Specialist equipment or aids
Additional support from staff
Help managing a tenancy
Support with routines and daily living
A quieter living environment

If your accommodation is not meeting your needs, speak to your PA or another professional supporting you.

Looking after your physical and mental health is important.

You may be able to get support from:

Your GP
Mental health services
Learning disability services
Autism support services
Community health teams
Specialist health professionals
Local support organisations

Find how to keep yourself well

If you are finding it difficult to access services or attend appointments, ask your PA or support worker for help.

Looking after your physical and mental health is important.

You may be able to get support from:

Your GP
Mental health services
Learning disability services
Autism support services
Community health teams
Specialist health professionals
Local support organisations

Find how to keep yourself well

If you are finding it difficult to access services or attend appointments, ask your PA or support worker for help.

Having a disability or additional needs should not stop you from pursuing your goals.

You may be able to access:

Careers advice and guidance
Supported internships
Apprenticeships
Employment support programmes
Job coaching
Workplace adjustments
Help with CVs and applications

Speak to your PA, careers adviser or college support team about the options available to you.

Getting help

You do not have to work things out by yourself.

If you need support, start by speaking to:

Your Personal Adviser
Your social worker (if you still have one)
Your college or training provider
Your GP or healthcare professional
Any specialist worker supporting you

They can help you understand your options and connect you with the right support.

Finding work as a person with a disability