Preparing for Adulthood is a term used to describe the process when you move from childhood into adulthood.

It takes place when you move from Children's Services to Adult Services, or when you start to think about what you want to do as an adult. This usually happens between the ages of 14 and 25.

Preparing for and finding employment

Planning to help young people with SEND (special educational needs or disabilities) to prepare for post -16 education, employment or training, is known as transition planning. This should start at your annual review meeting when you are 14 years old and in Year 9 at school.

As a young person with an EHC Plan, or if you have SEND you will have access to careers advice in school.

In Southend, the Connexions Careers Service gives this advice.

You will be asked what you would like to do in the future and what will need to be put in place to help you achieve your goals. You and your family will be at the centre of these talks to ensure your wishes are included and that any support meets your needs.

You must stay in some type of education or training until you are 18. There are many options available when you turn 16. You should think about what option is best for you and your situation, your strengths, and interests.

You can read more about post 16 opportunities on our education page.

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Transcript for Preparing for Adulthood

SENDIASS Southend for young people preparing for adulthood year 9 onwards

This is about your annual review and what is different from year 9 onwards if you have an EHCP you will have a meeting every year about the help you need

EHCP stands for education health and care plan the meeting usually happens at your school or college

The meeting is to talk about the help that you get and if it needs to change or stay the same

You will also talk about the school or college that you go to the subjects you are studying or the courses that you are taking

Adults and professionals who help you in school or college will meet with you and your parents- you do not have to go to the meeting but you should be invited to take part if you want to

it is very important that you are asked about the help that you get and if you would like it to change or stay the same. If you are in year 9 or above during the meeting everyone must talk about what you want to happen after you leave school or finish your college course

This is called preparing for adulthood

The send preparing for adulthood team can support you with moving on from school if you have an EHCP they can support you and your family from year 9 and above to help you prepare for what you want to do when you finish school

You can find more information about the preparing for adulthood team and post 16 opportunities on the local offer website our short video on how to access the local offer can be found on our website in the section for young people

if you do not have an EHCP but still need some support connexions can offer information advice and guidance this is their logo you can visit their website at www.southendconnexions.co.uk

When talking about preparing for adulthood you should be asked about what job you might want or if you would like to go to or stay at college- don't worry if you're not sure yet

After the meeting changes can be made to your EHCP so that you can get the help that you need sometimes EHCPs stay the same so nothing will change

SENDIASS Southend can help you with your annual review or give you more information about it

How you can reach SENDIASS Southend you can call us on 01702 215499 just leave a message with your name and number and we will call you back or email us at iass@southend.gov.uk

Friends, relationships and community

Friendships, relationships and being part of the community are really important to everyone’s quality of life.

During the transition planning, thought is given to what needs to be done to support you to have opportunities to spend time with your friends outside of school and college, to support you to develop and keep friendships and relationships, and to ensure that you can access your local community and feel safe and confident to do so.

These are the outcomes that you will be supported to work towards, with a focus on what needs to be done to support you to be as independent as is possible. It is important that the outcomes are discussed with you and your family during the Year 9 annual review so that they can be worked on at school and at home.

Within the Year 9 annual review, discussions should include:

making and keeping friends and having supportive relationships
contributing to, and being part of, the local community
having a ‘voice’
volunteering
independent travel
staying safe

If you receive a direct payment from the council as part of your care package, you could use it to help you get involved with your local community.

Independent Living

Where we live and who we live with is really important. Young people including those with learning difficulties and or other disability should be able to choose:

where they live, and
who they live with

As part of preparing for adulthood, young people with a disability and their families should be encouraged to think about where they might live in the future as part of their transition planning from year 9 at school.

When they are older, some young people may want to live alone (with support if needed) with friends, or with a partner.

It is important to begin to develop the different skills you will need to live independently.

If you have a social worker, they may also be able to offer you and your family support.

Southend Councils website has information about housing.

Good health

Having good health is really important.

If you are a young person aged 14-25 with a learning disability, you or your parent carer will be are encouraged to make an appointment for your free annual health check. This usually happens at your GP (doctors) surgery.

This is to check on any ongoing health issues and talk about any physical or mental wellbeing concerns you may have.

An annual health check helps you stay well by:

talking about your health
finding any problems early
getting you the right care

You do not have to be ill to have a health check. In fact, most people have their annual health check when they are feeling well.

If you are worried about seeing a doctor, let them know. Tell them if they can do anything to make your visit better. They will help make sure it goes well for you.

If needed, you can be referred to other organisations to give you help and support.

Southend's Local Offer provides more information and support available to young people with SEND (special educational needs or disabilities).

I certainly would be lost without all the amazing support I have received so far”