Are you between 14 and 25? You might be thinking about your future, like what to do after school or college and how to become independent. Here, you can find information to help you on your journey into adulthood.
- Education, training, and work – You'll find details about different courses, job opportunities, and volunteering. There’s also help on how to get a job.
- Independent living – Learn about living on your own or with support, types of housing, benefits, and getting help with forms, decisions, and paying bills.
- Being part of the community – Tips on making friends, being part of your community, finding activities, and staying safe.
- Healthy living – Information on staying healthy and who can help you.
For parents and carers:
Once a young person finishes compulsory school, decisions about their future are theirs to make (Code of Practice 8.13). In health matters, young people aged 16 or over can consent to their own treatment, except in rare cases. Young people should be supported to make informed decisions.At 18, children legally become adults regardless of their needs. We aim to help everyone plan for and support young people as they transition to adulthood.Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) starts formally in year 9 for those with an EHCP, but families and professionals have been working towards this for years. PfA can be exciting, but also uncertain, so good planning and support are important. PfA focuses on outcomes in four areas:
- Education, training, and employment
- Independent living
- Participating in communities/society
- Supporting good health
This section provides information to help young people make informed decisions, navigate the system, and understand changes. Depending on their chosen path, their EHCP may end after further education, and we've included details about higher education.You’ll also find a section on challenging decisions in education, care, and health, plus information on support for carers and the Young Adults Social Care team for those who are eligible.
You can learn more about Preparing for Adulthood in our factsheets below:
Preparing for Adulthood Factsheet Overview
Preparing for Adulthood Factsheet Overview - further details
Free RISE e-learning:
