SENDIASS guidance preparing for adulthood

Preparing for Adulthood is important for all children and young people, however children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) may need extra support to communicate their aspirations and achieve their ambitions. 

Preparing children and young people for adulthood should start as early as possible. The SEND Code of Practice (2014) states that this should start ‘early and ideally well before year 9 (age 13 to 14) at school’.

For young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans the annual review at Year 9, and every annual review thereafter, must include a focus on Preparing for Adulthood. This means that consideration should be given to the following four outcomes:

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

We have created this video to explain the Year 9 Annual Review Process.

Further information can be found on your Local Authority’s SEND Local Offer website:

• Preparation for Adulthood and the Year 9 Annual Review - Worcestershire County Council
• Preparing for adulthood – Herefordshire Council

Preparing for Adulthood Checklist

Our Preparing for Adulthood Checklist is designed to support parents and carers to help their young person with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to prepare for adult life, by breaking the process down into manageable steps.

Download the checklist here: Preparing for Adulthood Checklist for Parents/Carers (Word doc)