What does Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) mean?

The term Preparing for Adulthood is used to describe the transition from childhood into adult life. You may hear people refer to this as PfA. Usually, there are multi-professionals involved with this process to help support this transition.

These professionals are usually from Services such as:

Education
Health
Social Care

Education

A child becomes a young person on the last Friday in June after they turn 16. This is known as compulsory school education and is defined in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice 2015 (page 279).

All children and young people have the right to have their views taken into consideration about decisions that affect them.

All young people need guidance to prepare for their future. A young person with special educational needs (SEN) may face additional challenges to achieving their goals. These include lack of information about options, low expectations about what is achievable, and difficulty in making their views heard. So they may need extra support as they move on from school to college, or from education into adult life.

Making a decision on what to study Post 16 can also be very difficult.

Schools have a legal duty to provide impartial careers advice to all young people from at least Year 9. This must be tailored to the needs of pupils with SEND. Schools should work with employers, housing agencies, disability organisations and arts and sports groups to help children understand what their options are as they get older.

If your child has an Education, Health & Care plan (EHCP), the Year 9 annual review of their plan, and every review after that, must include a focus on preparing for adulthood. This means there should be targets in the EHC plan that will help your child to achieve steps towards the 4 preparing for adulthood outcomes.

The 4 preparing for adulthood outcomes are:

Employment,
Good Health,
Independent Living
Friends, relationships and inclusion

To find out more information on the 4 preparing for adulthood outcomes please click HERE: Preparing for Adulthood – General Information | Bexley Local Offer

Health

It is expected that preparation for adulthood begins from year 9 as part of the Education Health & Care Plan (EHCP) Annual Review and includes planning for supporting the transition from children’s to adult care and health services.

Parents carers of a young person aged 14-25 with a learning disability, are being encouraged to make them an appointment for a free at their local GP surgery.
This is referred to as their Annual Health Check. Please click here to find out more: Annual health check

This provides the opportunity to check on any ongoing health issues, such as diabetes or asthma, as well as talk over any physical or mental wellbeing concerns. The GP can refer on to other organisations for additional help and support if needed.

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 (8.54) says:

Health service and other professionals should work with the young person and, where appropriate, their family. They should gain a good understanding of the young person’s individual needs, including their learning difficulties or disabilities, to co-ordinate health care around those needs and to ensure continuity and the best outcomes for the young person. This means working with the young person to develop a transition plan, which identifies who will take the lead in co-ordinating care and referrals to other services. The young person should know who is taking the lead and how to contact them.

To find out more about what happens at an annual health check:

CLICK HERE: Don’t Miss Out – Annual Health Checks Mencap

Social Care

The Bexley Local Offer will support you in finding information about Social Care Services and provision for children and young people with SEN or disabilities, including:

childcare
leisure activities & short breaks
moving from child to adult services
living independently, and finding accommodation
help finding work

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 (1.22) says:

If children and young people with SEN or disabilities are to achieve their ambitions and the best possible educational and other outcomes, including getting a job and living as independently as possible, local education, health and social care services should work together to ensure they get the right support.

Preparing for Adulthood support in Bexley

To find out more about the Bexley Preparing for Adulthood Team who work with young people from Year 9 (age 13/14) who are diagnosed with (but not limited to:):

A Learning Disability
Down Syndrome
Autism / Asperger’s
Physical Disabilities
Complex Special Educational Needs

who may require support with transitioning into Adult Social Care please CLICK HERE: Bexley LA – Preparing for Adulthood Team | Bexley Local Offer

Bexley Local Authority Preparing for Adulthood Guide

The Bexley Local Authority have produced a guide for parent carers of young people aged 14 to 25 who are preparing for adulthood which includes information about:

Education
Health and Social care
Employment
Transport
Housing
Leisure
Finance and Benefits

For a copy of Bexley’s guide to Preparing for Adulthood please CLICK HERE: Bexley guide to Preparing for Adulthood | Bexley Local Offer

For further Information

There is a website specifically dedicated to the subject, Preparing for Adulthood. Funded by Department for Education (DfE), they provide expertise and support to local authorities and their partners to embed preparing for adulthood from the earliest years.

We work to ensure that young people with SEND achieve paid employment, independent living, housing options, good health, friendships, relationships and community inclusion. Click HERE to find out more: Look at the ‘Preparing for Adulthood’ website

Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Supported Internships, Internships and Study Programmes

All young people should be helped to develop their skills and experience, and achieve the qualifications they need, to succeed in their careers.

The vast majority of young people with SEN are capable of sustainable paid employment with the right preparation and support.

One of the most effective ways to prepare young people with SEN for employment is to arrange work-based learning that enables them to have first-hand experience of work.

Below you will find information on Apprenticeships, Traineeships, Supported Internships & Internships.

Apprenticeships

These are paid jobs that incorporate training, leading to nationally recognised qualifications. Apprentices earn as they learn and gain practical skills in the workplace.

Young people with EHC plans can retain their plan when on an apprenticeship.

For more information on Apprenticeships CLICK HERE: Education Decisions – Post 16 (including careers advice) | Bexley Local Offer

Traineeships

These are education and training programmes with work experience, focused on giving young people the skills and experience they need to help them compete for an apprenticeship or other jobs.

They are currently open to young people aged 16 to 24, including those with EHC plans. Young people with EHC plans can retain their plan when undertaking a traineeship.

For more information on Traineeships CLICK HERE: Education Decisions – Post 16 (including careers advice) | Bexley Local Offer

Internships

These are structured study programmes for young people with or without an EHC plan, based primarily at an employer.

Wherever possible, they support the young person to move into paid employment at the end of the programme.

Students complete a personalised study programme which includes the chance to study for relevant substantial qualifications.

For more information on Internships CLICK HERE: Education Decisions – Post 16 (including careers advice) | Bexley Local Offer

Supported Internships

These are structured study programmes for young people with an EHC plan, based primarily at an employer.