Moving to adulthood

This page will guide you through the key transition focuses when moving to post-16, and how to prepare for adulthood at this stage. There are two focuses - education to employment or higher or further education; and Adult Social Care, Supported Living or Long-Term Employment. 

1. Education to employment or higher or further education
2. Adult Social Care, Supported Living or Long-Term Employment

Education to Employment or Higher or Further Education (16+ years)

Key transition focuses

The key transition focuses from moving to adulthood include: 

• independent living and work skills: emphasis on skills needed to live independently or semi independently - managing finance, personal care and finding employment
• planning for adulthood: a comprehensive approach to transitioning into adulthood, incorporating housing, employment, vocational profiling and healthcare planning
• understanding the hopes, wishes and aspirations of the young adult in terms of their resilience to tackle relationships and moving on to their next stage. This is also the case for the families in terms of supporting them with their child moving away and into independence
• consistency and continuity of services, transferring from children's to adult services

Enhanced support

Enhanced support at this transition stage may include: 

• for young adults who can move into further or higher education, support in applying to further or higher education with disability support teams in place, including access to assistive technologies and extended time for assignments
• for young adults moving into employment or Apprenticeships, strong links with supported employment services, job coaches and schemes like Supported Internships and pre-Supported Internships. Having an up-to-date vocational profile in place that is regularly reviewed
• where appropriate, referrals to Adult Social Care/Transitions Team to ensure that the individual is connected to Adult Health and/ or Social Care.

This relates to SEND thresholds 1-3. 

Complex support

Complex support at this transition stage may include: 

• ongoing support plans for young adults needing continuous assistance in living or working environments. This may include finding supported living arrangements, personalised job coaching and extensive community based learning programmes
• collaboration between adult social care, Transitions Team, health services, and employment agencies to ensure continuity of care and support - personal budgets, direct payments
• for young adults with more complex needs, multidisciplinary planning may involve social workers, housing officers, mental health professionals and continuing education providers to create a Personalised Life Plan that covers all aspects of independent living, health and employment
• transition team involvement
• further education involvement

This relates to SEND thresholds 3-5. 

Find out more and SEND thresholds

Preparation for adulthood

There are things to think about for your child for preparing for adulthood at this stage which include:

• continue to develop independent living skills through appropriate study programmes
• ability to manage health appointments and interventions
• accessing work-based employment, Supported Internships and voluntary opportunities including social enterprise
• developing an understanding of financial independence
• programmes of support to facilitate community participation in accordance with the young adult's choices and levels of cognitive function
• ability to sustain and further develop appropriate relationships and friendships

Stepping Up advice for this transition

1. It may be a good idea getting up a friend Whats App Group to stay connected and to meet up on a regular basis to share ideas and information.
2. Look up local clubs and activities - does the Local Authority map these? Are they available on the Local Offer? Where are the local network groups?
3. You could think about joining a gym or going on an exercise session with friends - running, walking
4. Check for welfare benefits, allowances, and support for employment. If young people are in care, there is a bursary which could be accessed in Further and Higher Education. You can get a bursary if you are 16-25 and not in care. 
5. Ask Careers Advisers about pathways into employment and training.
6. Youth Forums - such as the Gateshead SEND Youth Forum. Many groups are set up for young people with additional needs to share ideas and undertake social and leisure activities.
7. Visit lots of different education providers during year 11, 12 and 13 to get a really good idea of what options are available. They will really make you welcome and explain what is available to your child. Each provider has different strengths so think not just about the course but things like accessibility and transport, social life, personal safety, employment prospects, and extra curriculum activities
8. If your child doesn't yet know what career they want, focus instead on employment that can develop their interpersonal skills like teamwork, empathy, active listening, patience, responsibility, and motivation. Any work experience?
9. Consider asking the school what careers advice is available for your child. You may then want to provide some additional support such as helping your child recognise the things they are good at and what they like doing.

Additional help and support

All the support listed below is variable depending on the type of course being undertaken, the age of the young person, and whether the course is full or part time.

16-18 bursary

A small weekly allowance that can pay for things like books, equipment, transport or lunch. It can be up to £1,200 a year depending on the young person's circumstances and benefits.

Childcare costs

Learners who have a child may be eligible for paid childcare for the duration of their studies. Each education provider manages their own budget for this, and it is a limited fund.

Travel costs

Learners can be entitled to some help towards their travel costs. However, there are strict rules on how much and who can apply, and some specialist travel costs should be paid by the local authority. Each education provider can advise you of their policy.

Essential textbooks and equipment

Learners can apply for funding to pay for books and equipment essential to their course. This can include things like a laptop, textbooks, tools, courses or specific clothing such as a uniform or overalls.

University bursaries, scholarships and awards

Students in higher education can apply for money directly from their university or college on top of any other student finance. You do not have to pay this money back. Each university or college has their own rules about bursaries, scholarships and awards, for example:

• who qualifies
• how much you can get
• how to apply

Any money you get is paid directly to you by your university or college. Talk to your student support service to find out what's available.

Gateshead also has a supported employment forum which is chaired by Mel Crosby. Membership consists of employees, voluntary organisations, schools, charities, young people and their families. It meets on a termly basis and has the best interests of young people with additional needs into employment as its heart.

Adult Social Care, Supported Living or Long-Term Employment

Key transition focuses

The key transition focuses in social care include: 

• long-term care and independence: planning for adulthood where the focus is on maximising independence, social inclusion, ongoing support from health and the overall quality of life
• access to ongoing support: ensuring that the young adult has access to consistent support networks, whether they are living independently, with family, or in supported living environments
• access to education, employment and training where appropriate plus developing hobbies and friendships

Enhanced support

Enhanced support through this transition stage may include: 

• transition into supported living arrangements with ongoing community support services
• development of independent living skills, such as cooking, budgeting, and accessing public transport
• continued participation in social activities and community engagement through local support groups
• access to adult education and Supported Internships or Apprenticeships, voluntary work etc.

This relates to SEND thresholds 1-3. 

Complex support

Complex support at this transition stage may include: 

• complex care packages - where high levels of support are required, which may involve personal assistants, frequent health care intervention and specialist housing options
• transition to adult health services and development of a long-term healthcare plan including mental health and behavioural support
• for employment, ensure that supported employment services remain available, along with job coaches and work/voluntary placements tailored to the young adult's needs and abilities

This relates to SEND thresholds 3-5. 

Find out more and SEND thresholds

Preparation for adulthood

There are things to think about for your child for preparing for adulthood which include:

• continue to develop independence skills at their own pace and with the support of trained professionals
• understanding the services that are available and how to access these across education, health, and care
• understand their rights
• able to understand and to make informed decisions with/or without help about their lifestyles and personal organisation
• develop appropriate communication and interaction skills to interact effectively with others in the community and to make sound relationships and friends
• understand the risk around drugs, alcohol, and the challenges around social media in order to keep themselves safe

Stepping Up advice for this transition

1. You could set up a friends' Whats App Group to stay connected and to meet up on a regular basis to share ideas and information.
2. You could try setting up a buddy system with friends to take the young adult to social activities and facilities.
3. Look at the range of local and voluntary activities available in Gateshead and surrounding areas - look at what is happening in Newcastle, Sunderland, and South Shields too.
4. Think about joining a gym or going on an exercise with friends - running, walking.
5. If you have been educated out of your area, ensure that the relevant services know about you and your needs.
6. Check for welfare benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) allowance, and support for employment. Ask Careers Advisers and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about pathways into employment and training.
7. You can read about the experiences of young people aged 16-25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Gateshead (opens new window) as they transition from Children's Social Care to Adult Social Care services. Key themes from their experiences were:
   1. Individual Differences: the specific needs of participants were highly individual, necessitating unique adjustments in order to provide suitable care and support.
   2. The Importance of Communication: participants reported inconsistent levels of communication, with some being unaware of available services.
   3. Tailored Approaches: feedback suggested a need for a person-centred, family focused approach to help young people with SEND receive clear communication and have agency in their care