Guide to preparing for adulthood

Education, training and employment

Continuing in education or training

At this point, you will need to decide where you will continue in education / training until you are 18 years old.

You can ask for support to make this decision, but the final choice is yours.

Once the decision has been confirmed, you should have a plan to move to your new school / setting (known as transition).

Various agencies should be involved to make sure they all have the information they need to support you.

Work experience

You should review any current work experience and / or plan further opportunities.

You should continue to have discussions about your future plans and look at the options available to you when you become an adult.

These discussions should include how support within education, training and employment will continue.

This should also include how this support might be funded. See funding for young people with SEND in education.

Friendship, relationships and community

Friendships

Think about how your current friendships will continue after school ends.

You may need support to plan how you will keep in touch with your friends.

Activities

You may already be taking part in local activities, such as visiting leisure centres, the cinema, libraries and shopping centres.

Speak to the people who support you to put plans in place so you can continue to do this in future.

Short breaks

If you are currently accessing a short breaks service, you should speak to your care co-ordinator about whether this will continue after you turn 18.

Developing independence

Housing / accommodation

You will have a good idea of what you want to do in the future by this point.

Now is a good time to think about where you will live when you are an adult.

You and your parents / carers should have all of the information you need to make this decision.

If you want to continue living at home, you still need to develop your independence so you can move when you are ready to.

Travelling independently

You should be travelling independently as much as possible.

If you can't travel independently, think about the support you might need to develop independent travel skills, and the help that might be available.

Benefits

You may be eligible for certain benefits.

You can have your first benefits check before you turn 16.

Good health

Choosing to continue with health services

When you are 16, you can say whether you would like to continue with the treatment you receive.

You may be discharged from certain services.

They should talk to you and your family about this, and discuss who will take over responsibility for your health and wellbeing needs.

Moving to adult health services (transition)

Ready Steady Go supports young people to move into adult health services.

You should be using:

• the 'Steady' part of the Ready Steady Go programme, or
• the 'Go' part of the Ready Steady Go programme

Annual Health Check

Make sure you attend your Annual Health Check through your GP (if you are eligible).

If you need continuing care

You may be eligible for continuing care.

This will need to be assessed by a care co-ordinator.

Your health and wellbeing needs

Your parents / carers may not be allowed to do things like make an appointment for you with your GP. 

You should speak to these services about the reasonable adjustments they can make so your health and wellbeing needs continue to be met.

If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan

The SEND Panel will make a decision if you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and you need:

• high needs funding, or
• a place in a specialist college.

They must decide this by 31 March in year 11.

If you don't have an Education, Health and Care Plan

If you don't have an Education, Health and Care Plan, you can get support in whichever mainstream school / setting you choose.

The SEND Panel will be able to advise on how best to support you.

If you are a Looked After Child

If you are a Looked After Child, your social worker will speak to you about the support available for care leavers.