Preparing for adulthood: Education, training and employment
Overview
All young people must continue in education or training until they are 18 years old.
You, your family and those that support you should start discussing what you want to do when you leave education.
This should start no later than year 9 (when you are 13 to 14 years old).
We want all children and young people to get the high quality guidance, support and training they need to make informed decisions about their future in the working world.
We want to inspire children and young people to:
- explore their strengths, talents, and interests, and
- have access to support and information to understand the steps they need to take to achieve their goals.
Education Health and Care Plans
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) help to monitor your progress towards the outcomes that are named within it.
They must be reviewed every 12 months. This is called an Annual Review.
From year 9 onwards, all Annual Reviews must focus on the preparing for adulthood themes.
Your Annual Review must help you with:
- finding the most suitable education, training and employment
- understanding the funding that is available if you are in further or higher education
- understanding money matters and benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Universal Credit.
- how to live independently, including where you want to live in the future, the types of housing available, and help to find accommodation
- maintaining good health and wellbeing in adulthood
- moving to adult social care (if you are eligible)
- planning Continuing Care health services (if you are eligible)
- travelling independently
- taking part in the community and maintaining relationships, including support with activities
If your Education Health and Care Plan is no longer needed
The Council may decide your Education Health and Care Plan is no longer needed.
This is known as 'ceasing' (stopping) your plan.
This will happen if:
- you are in paid employment (unless this is an apprenticeship)
- you have started university
- you have turned 25 years old
- you have left education and don't want to take part in further learning
- you have moved to a different local authority area
- you have met all of the outcomes in your plan
The Council will speak to you, your school / setting, and your parents / carers (if this is appropriate) to discuss whether the plan should be ceased (stopped).
If the Council decides that the plan is no longer necessary, it will issue a 'cease to maintain notice' to you or your parent / carer in writing, explaining the reasons why.
If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal.
Careers advice
If you hope to do a particular job, or work in certain industry, you can ask for help to understand:
- the different choices available, and
- which courses will help you achieve your goals.
For information about your options after the age of 16, including types of courses and qualifications, see post-16 education, training and employment.
Careers advice in schools / settings
Schools / settings have a responsibility to give you careers advice and guidance.
They follow the Gatsby 8 benchmarks of good careers guidance.
If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan
If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan, the Connexions service will give you a careers advisor in year 10.
They will make sure you have the information and support you and your family need to make decisions about your future.
Support with your next steps and getting into work
If you feel you would benefit from support to make decisions about your next steps, or find employment, there are many services available.
Connexions
Connexions supports young adults aged 16 or 17 to make informed choices about their future or next steps.
Connexions advisors offer impartial information, advice and guidance about college courses, apprenticeships, 6th forms, employment and training, and a range of other options depending on your needs and interests.
See Connexions.
National Careers Service
The National Careers Service provides careers information, advice and guidance.
It can help you to make decisions on learning, training and work at all stages in your career.
Access to Work
If you have a physical or mental health condition or disability, Access to Work can support you to find employment, or stay in work if you are already employed.
Wise Steps
Wise Steps helps adults with disabilities to find a job through learning new skills, building confidence, training and applying for jobs.
See Wise Steps.
Job Centre Plus Disability Employment Advisers
Disability Employment Advisors provide support to adults with disabilities who are looking for work.
It can also tell you about other programmes and services that can help you.
See: Job Centre Plus Disability Employment Advisers.
Work and Health Programme
The Work and Health Programme supports adults with a disability and / or health issues to find employment.
See GOV.UK: Work and Health Programme.
Intensive Personalised Employment Support (IPES)
The Intensive Personalised Employment Support Service offers coaching to build independence, confidence, and motivation.
It also offers work experience to help boost your career prospects.
See GOV.UK: Intensive Personalised Employment Support.
Hello Future - Action Stations
Hello Future offers one-to-one employment support for all ages.
It can help with cv and cover letters, job applications and interview techniques.
It can also support you to overcome any barriers to employment.
See Hello Future - Action Stations.
Moving on Tyne and Wear
Moving on Tyne and Wear provides one-to-one tailored support.
It helps people to find work if they are unemployed and have a health barrier, disability, additional learning need, or autism.
Northern Rights Skills Service
Northern Rights provides one-to-one information, advice and guidance on work, personal circumstances, training and health.
It can also offer benefit calculations, financial assistance and a range of training programmes.
See Northern Rights Skills Service.
Under One Roof
The Under One Roof programme supports those aged over 16 who are not in training, employment, or education to identify and address any barriers.
See Under One Roof.
Disability Rights UK
Disability Rights UK have created guide which provides information and support for apprentices with disabilities.
Training
If you feel you would benefit from extra training, there are many services available to help you:
Springboard North East
Springboard North East offers a range of work-based courses to adults over 19 years.
They are free to people who are:
- unemployed and claiming benefits
- employed and their wages are below a certain threshold.
Courses include care and childcare, hair and beauty, and hospitality and catering.
South Tyneside Works
South Tyneside Works offers a range of training courses to help adults get into work or improve their skills.
Courses include employability skills, maths and English, retail and customer service, business and admin, warehousing and logistics.
See South Tyneside Works.
Training in Care
Training in Care offers training to adults who want a career as a carer.
The work-based courses lead to qualifications that can be used in the care sector.
See Training in Care.
Learning Concepts
Learning Concepts offers work-based courses including IT skills, retail, warehousing, cleaning, security and forklift.
It also offer maths, English and employability courses.
See Learning Concepts.
Community First North East
Community First is an independent training provider.
It offers courses in functional maths and English, customer service, business admin, caring for children and caring for adults.
See >Community First North East.
Auxillia Youth Services
Auxillia Youth Services offers information, advice and guidance to help young adults find a job, apprenticeship or training.
Northern Rights Skills Service
Northern Rights Skills Service offers short courses and qualifications for those aged over 19.