Guide to preparing for adulthood

Education, training and employment

Your next steps

You should start having conversations about what you want to do in the future, for education, training and employment. 

You must stay in education or training until you are 18 years old.

If you want to continue your education / training after this, you will need to think about what subjects you will need to study, and which qualifications you will need.

You can speak to your school / setting about how the curriculum can help you to look at work options, so you can get a job in the area you are interested in.

Careers advice

Your school / setting may have a careers advisor. See careers advice.

Friendship, relationships and community

Friendships and activities

Your family, friends and other people in your circle of support are important as you move into adulthood.

You should think about activities outside of school that you are already a part of, or that you would like to be involved with.

You should also think about time that you spend away from your home, for example, through a short break.

This will help you to build and keep friendships.  

Developing independence

Skills for independence

You will have learned skills to be independent throughout your life.

As you become an adult there are more things to think about.  

You and your family will need to think about how you can develop your independence.

This may include: 

• training to help you travel independently
• learning about money and budgeting 
• learning housekeeping skills 

If you plan to go to university

If you want to go to university, think about whether you want to go somewhere close to home, or if you would like to move out of area, and what this might involve.

Good health 

Changes to health services

Health services change when you become an adult.

If you are getting health services now, you should speak to these services about how you will be supported in the future.

Annual Health Check

When you turn 14, you can have a Annual Health Check if you have:

• a learning disability,
• complex mental health needs, or
• autism

Moving to adult health services (transition)

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

You can use the getting ready questionnaire to find out where you may need support. 

Speak to your GP about how they can support you as you move into adulthood. 

If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

If you have an EHCP, your Annual Reviews will begin to focus on preparing for adulthood.

You will be asked to think about your future in all 4 of the preparing for adulthood themes.  

If you have an SEN Support Plan

If you have a SEN Support Plan, you can work with your school / setting on how the preparing for adulthood themes will be considered within your SEN Support Plan. 

If you are a Looked After Child or a Child in Need

Your EHCP Annual Reviews should be carried out at the same time as your Looked After Child or Child in Need reviews.

Your families' social worker or Early Help worker will support you and your family with how services will change as you reach adulthood, and how to prepare for this.