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

Education, training and finding employment

Explore ideas of the kind of work your young person may want to do as an adult and then consider post-16 options. You may want to visit further education (FE) departments, colleges, training providers and voluntary opportunities.

Ask your school about post-16 support and planning advice. Young people could experience work placements / vocational opportunities. They may also be invited to talk to a careers specialist to put the beginning of a plan in place.

Any arrangements your young person will need for their GCSE exams should be in place by the start of year 10.

Developing independence

Think about some of the skills your young person may need to develop as they move towards adulthood. This could include skills such as using money.

Could your young person help around the home? If they haven’t begun already, can they start doing small things for themselves?

Friends, relationships, and community

Begin to talk about what is important to your young person about friends / social life in the future and how this might be achieved.

Think about how their existing friendships can be kept and developed.

Look at our website and Raise York website to find:

• community activities
• leisure opportunities
• community and volunteer groups

Look at the Family Matters website for support and relationship training for teens.

Good health

Start to consider applying for medical exemption for prescriptions.

Engage with the age-appropriate vaccination scheme.

Consider sexual health and access to free contraception, read more on the YorSexualHealth website.

If your young person has a long-term health condition make sure you have started the Ready, Steady, Go questionnaires with the NHS service.

Annual health checks continue via General Practitioner (GP) for people with diagnosed Learning Disabilities aged 14 years and over.

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. Outcomes should be reviewed and updated as needed and the meeting should consider what is needed for a smooth transition to the next stage.

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

Plan visits to taster sessions at local post-16 providers.

SEND team will ask for your young person’s post-16 choices over the summer term of year 10 into autumn of year 11.