Preparing for adulthood

We want all our young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), disabilities and autism, make a successful journey to adulthood. This includes, where possible:

• paid employment
• independent living
• good physical and emotional health
• being part of their community
• having friends and relationships

Information on preparing for adulthood on Brighter Futures for Children’s website.

What preparing for adulthood means

Preparing for adulthood means the things you need to start thinking about and learn as you get older, so you are ready to live as an adult.

It is about starting to think about a plan for the future.

Being an adult means you:

• are 18 years old or older
• can look after yourself or you might still need help, but you know where to get help from
• will be making decisions about your life as much as you can

Staying in education and getting work experience

This means looking at going to college or university to get qualifications and training to learn new skills. Work experience is trying out a job in a business to see if it is right for you.

You could also find a job with some help called supported employment services or become self-employed.

Independent living

Independent living means having choice, control and freedom over your life, the support you get, and where you live. 

Staying healthy and well

Staying healthy and well means looking after your body and visiting doctors when unwell, as well as how you feel emotionally. 

Community and social activities

Community and social activities means being an active member of the community and taking part in social activities and having friends and supportive relationships.

What to start thinking about

It is important to let people know your views when you start planning and setting goals.

You should start thinking about what:

• is important to you
• makes you happy
• you would like to do as a job
• qualifications you might need
• goals you want to achieve in life

You should start talking to others who can help, like your:

• family and friends
• teachers
• social worker or other professionals

How Adult Social Care can support you

One of the Learning Disability and Autism team will contact you and will complete an assessment of your needs, this is called a Care Act assessment.  

If you have an education, health and care (EHC) plan we may also attend your review meetings to fiund out more about your wishes. 

We can also have a chat with you, called an informal conversation, about this journey to becoming a young adult, which may be helpful. We can tell you about assistance which you could benefit from which is already being provided in the community. 

If we believe you are likely to be eligible for support from us after you turn 18, we will maintain regular contact with you on a yearly basis before you turn 18, just to see how things are going.