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Preparing for Adulthood: A Guide for Young People with SEND

LSA supporting a teenager

Some children and young people need more help than their school can give on its own. When this happens, the Local Authority may give them an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHC Plan). This gives the school extra support.

An EHC Plan is a legal document that explains:

  • what your special educational needs are, and
  • what extra support you need for learning or training.

It brings together education, health, and social care support into one plan. It also includes goals (called outcomes) to help you grow, learn new skills, and prepare for adult life.

Preparing for Adulthood is about helping you plan for your future as you move from being a teenager to becoming an adult.

It focuses on four main areas:

  1. Education, training and work
    (e.g., college, apprenticeships, supported internships, jobs)
  2. Independent living
    (e.g., living at home, supported living, learning life skills)
  3. Friends, relationships and community
    (e.g., spending time with friends, joining groups, being involved)
  4. Health and wellbeing
    (e.g., staying healthy, looking after yourself, getting medical support)

This video explains more:

 

You don’t have to make all the decisions at once. PfA is about exploring options and finding what’s right for you.

Preparing for Adulthood is about helping you plan for your future as you move from being a teenager to becoming an adult.

It focuses on four main areas:

  1. Education, training and work
    (e.g., college, apprenticeships, supported internships, jobs)
  2. Independent living
    (e.g., living at home, supported living, learning life skills)
  3. Friends, relationships and community
    (e.g., spending time with friends, joining groups, being involved)
  4. Health and wellbeing
    (e.g., staying healthy, looking after yourself, getting medical support)

This video explains more:

 

You don’t have to make all the decisions at once. PfA is about exploring options and finding what’s right for you.

PfA aims to help you:

  • Make choices that feel right for you
  • Build confidence and independence
  • Find opportunities that match your strengths and interests
  • Move into adult life with the support you need

The goal is for you to achieve your aspirations and lead a happy, fulfilling life.

PfA aims to help you:

  • Make choices that feel right for you
  • Build confidence and independence
  • Find opportunities that match your strengths and interests
  • Move into adult life with the support you need

The goal is for you to achieve your aspirations and lead a happy, fulfilling life.

Planning usually starts in Year 9 (age 13–14).
If you have an EHCP, your PfA goals will be talked about every year in your annual review.

This is your chance to:

  • Share your hopes for the future
  • Talk about what you enjoy
  • Say what support you need
  • Help decide your next steps

Your views matter — the plan is for you.

Planning usually starts in Year 9 (age 13–14).
If you have an EHCP, your PfA goals will be talked about every year in your annual review.

This is your chance to:

  • Share your hopes for the future
  • Talk about what you enjoy
  • Say what support you need
  • Help decide your next steps

Your views matter — the plan is for you.

If you have an EHCP, at least once a year, it will be reviewed to check that it is up to date. 

This video explains the annual review process.

 

When you are in Year 10, there should be an annual review to talk about your transition from school. At the annual review meeting, your voice is really important and you will be listened to. We will also listen to your parent or carer. 

Following the annual review meeting the LA will go away and speak to any college or other provision you have told us you would like to go to after you finish school to check they are able to meet your needs. We will keep you and your parents informed and send you a letter to tell you what we have decided within four weeks of the annual review meeting.

If you have an EHCP, at least once a year, it will be reviewed to check that it is up to date. 

This video explains the annual review process.

 

When you are in Year 10, there should be an annual review to talk about your transition from school. At the annual review meeting, your voice is really important and you will be listened to. We will also listen to your parent or carer. 

Following the annual review meeting the LA will go away and speak to any college or other provision you have told us you would like to go to after you finish school to check they are able to meet your needs. We will keep you and your parents informed and send you a letter to tell you what we have decided within four weeks of the annual review meeting.

You do not automatically keep your EHCP once you turn 19.
BUT a local authority cannot stop it just because of your age. They must look at your individual needs.

You may still need your EHCP if:

  • You need more time to finish your education or training
  • You need more time to achieve your outcomes
  • You need support to prepare for adult life

Some young people finish college by 19, but others need longer — and that’s okay.

Annual Reviews (Ages 19–25)

If your EHCP continues after 19:

  • It must still be reviewed every year
  • Your goals should help you get ready for the next stage of your life

There is no automatic right to stay in education until 25

Your EHCP continues only for as long as you need educational or training support to achieve your outcomes.

You do not automatically keep your EHCP once you turn 19.
BUT a local authority cannot stop it just because of your age. They must look at your individual needs.

You may still need your EHCP if:

  • You need more time to finish your education or training
  • You need more time to achieve your outcomes
  • You need support to prepare for adult life

Some young people finish college by 19, but others need longer — and that’s okay.

Annual Reviews (Ages 19–25)

If your EHCP continues after 19:

  • It must still be reviewed every year
  • Your goals should help you get ready for the next stage of your life

There is no automatic right to stay in education until 25

Your EHCP continues only for as long as you need educational or training support to achieve your outcomes.

Your EHCP might end if:

  • You reach age 25 (but not until  the end of that academic year)
  • You have met all your outcomes
  • You leave education or training (after age 18)
  • You start paid employment (except apprenticeships)
  • You start university or higher education (Level 4+)
  • You move to another local authority (your plan should transfer)

Important

Your EHCP does not just "run out".
The local authority must make a formal decision to end it and must tell you why.

Your right to appeal

If the local authority decides to stop your EHCP and you disagree, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

More information about appealing a decision

Your EHCP might end if:

  • You reach age 25 (but not until  the end of that academic year)
  • You have met all your outcomes
  • You leave education or training (after age 18)
  • You start paid employment (except apprenticeships)
  • You start university or higher education (Level 4+)
  • You move to another local authority (your plan should transfer)

Important

Your EHCP does not just "run out".
The local authority must make a formal decision to end it and must tell you why.

Your right to appeal

If the local authority decides to stop your EHCP and you disagree, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.

More information about appealing a decision

Next Page Going to College

In this section

  1. Preparing for Adulthood: A Guide for Young People with SEND
  2. Going to College
  3. What other options are there when you turn 16?
  4. SEND Independence Hubs
  5. Supported Internship Programme
  6. Appealing a decision made by the LA or making a complaint
  7. Going to University

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