Preparing for adulthood
From the age of 16 young people have the right to take some decisions for themselves (as long as they are capable of doing so). For example they have a right to request an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan directly from the Local Authority and also to request a personal budget. This does not mean that parents and carers are excluded and they should still be involved, especially when a young person is 16 or 17.
As children get older and become young people and adults it is important that they are given opportunities to take more control over their lives. They will need support to do this from their family and the professionals working with them. This is particularly important for young people with special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities.
Discussions about preparing for adulthood need to start early and for those children and young people with EHC plans their review at age 13-14 will have a focus on preparing for adulthood.
More information about preparing for adulthood can be found here:
- Leaflet 1 - for young people in mainstream secondary
- Leaflet 2 - for young people in specialist secondary
- Leaflet 3 - for young people accessing specialist post 16
- Leaflet 4 - for parents/carers
- Leaflet 5 - for schools and college's / professionals
- The Special educational needs and disability code of practice:0-25 years (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25 )
- Special educational needs and disability: A guide for parents and carers (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-guide-for-parents-and-carers)