What is preparation for adult life?

The processes and practices aimed at helping children and young people with SEND transition smoothly from childhood into adult life. The goal is to ensure they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead fulfilling, independent lives.

The Children and Families Act 2014 part 3 and the SEND Code of Practice chapter 8 explains what professionals across education, health and social care must do to help young people prepare for life as an adult and to help young people achieve their best outcomes. Research carried out by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) Preparing for Adulthood led to the development of four pathways/pillars based on what young people with SEND say is important to them.

• Education and employment
• Independent living
• Good health
• Friends, relationships and community

Why is it important to young people and families?

• They tell us that it is important to them. We know from existing consultation work that PFA is a focus
• PFA happens in all phases of education ie school readiness in early years, PSHE in primary and secondary schools
• PFA is not just about leaving school and getting a job. We all need to thrive in the areas of independent living, being healthy and participating in society, employment is the "cherry on the top"
• All young people will need to think about what they want to do when they become an adult. Young people with SEND will have additional and different barriers that they will face in successfully becoming an adult
• PFA is about improving life chances
• Part of the Salford corporate plan around being a child friendly city

Preparing for adulthood and transition planning

Moving into the world of adulthood can be quite a daunting process for a young person and their family. Planning for transition helps make the process a lot easier and will provide the young person and their family with a lot of information about the help, support and services available, often very different to the options available in childhood.

Good transition planning will help the young person reach their goals as they reach adulthood and makes sure that all the right people are involved in providing help and guidance during the transition. The most important thing is that the young person’s views are clearly heard and that they are used to make informed choices in all areas of their move to adulthood.

Transition conversations could be in relation to Education, Health, Social Care or any combination of all 3 services. Transition planning should start for all young people (with SEND) at the age of 14 so that the process runs smoothly, and that young people have enough time to consider their thoughts and wishes before moving from childhood to adulthood.