Things to consider for adulthood and Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Guide

Education, training and finding employment

Talk to your young person about their future hopes and aspirations and what they might need to do to reach these goals.

You may want to start thinking about post-16 options and aspirations for the future. Explore ideas of the kind of work your young person may want to do as an adult.

You can talk to your young person’s school about opportunities for work placements, work experience and volunteering.

Some young people choose GCSE subjects at school. Some may study alternative qualifications, such as National Vocational Qualification's (NVQ’s).

Talk to your young person’s school about any support needed in exams (access arrangements). These must reflect their normal support arrangements.

If your young person has Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS), is home educated or medically unfit for school, contact the Local Authority Education Services.

Developing independence

Start thinking about life skills your young person needs to learn, e.g. travel, budgeting, cooking and housekeeping.

Think about independent travel skills to enable your young person to travel from home independently.

Work with the school to think about the curriculum opportunities that might be available to develop independence. Also think about how you can practise these skills at home.

Explore ideas of how and where your young person might want to live as an adult.

Parents can ask for a carer’s assessment.

Think about independent travel to enable you to travel on your own.

Friends, relationships, and community

Think about your young person’s friendship group, closest friends, and other key people in their school and local community - their circle of support. Think about how these friendships can be kept and developed. Young people may want to join a community activity. Some activities are specifically for young people with SEND.

Look at our website and Raise York website to find:

• youth clubs
• leisure opportunities
• community and volunteer groups

Other things to consider are:

• how to keep safe in the community
• how get support to make decisions
• how to understand risk and stay safe

Good health

Encourage your young person to take greater responsibility for their health and wellbeing. This could include physical health, mental health, sexual health, vaccinations, and identity.

When you next see a health professional ask about preparing to transition from children to adult health services.

York’s Hospital uses the Ready, Steady Go questionnaires. The age of transition varies depending on the clinical specialism.

Fill in Health Passport which provides key information for health professionals.

Young people with Learning Disabilities are eligible for an Annual Health Check with their General Practitioner (GP) from age 14.

In addition, if you have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Annual reviews from year 9 onwards must have a focus on preparing for adulthood.

The Specialist Learning and Employment Adviser Team will be able to support your young person with planning and decision making.

The outcomes will be in line with the four preparation for adulthood areas:

1. employment, education and training
2. independent living
3. community inclusion, friends and relationships
4. health

The voice of the young person and their family must be included.