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

Education, training and finding employment

Continue to explore a range of options, such as supported employment, apprenticeships, learning at a college or work-based learning, paid work, self-employment, higher education, and volunteering.

Consider support required for you to access services via Job Centre Plus. For example, a Disability Employment Advisor and Access to Work funding.

Developing independence

Explore a range of housing options available to you.

You may may want to access an advocate to help you get your views across.

Think about independent travel to enable you to travel from home to your work or education setting on your own.

Seek advice on what benefits you may be eligible for.

If you are going to university, you will need a plan including accommodation, travel, finances and grants / loans, support requirements and social opportunities. See the post-16 guide.

If not done so already, consider registering on the electoral register.

Friends, relationships, and community

Look at ways to stay in touch with your friends and make plans for socialising. Look into any social groups / youth groups that you may want to attend. You could use your direct payments or personal budget to do this.

Good health

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

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

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

Your EHCP will not continue if you are:

• accessing higher education
• accessing paid work
• aged 18 years or over and you have chosen to leave education

In all other circumstances your annual review will continue to allow opportunities to discuss how the EHCP can support progress to the longer-term aspirations of work and ensure the right provision is secured.

You could also consider a supported internship.

If you need SEN Transport to get to your post-16 education setting, you need to re-apply each year (it is not an automatic entitlement after compulsory school age).