In Year 9, if your young person has a Statement of SEN or an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) then a Preparing for Adulthood Review should take place usually at the same time as their annual review at school.
From September 2014 Statements of Special Educational Needs changed to an Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) which can be in place from birth to 25 years (if needed). The EHCP includes social care and health needs in addition to a young person’s special educational needs. A formal assessment process is required for your child/young person to receive an EHCP.
The EHCP will also be shared with colleges replacing the 139A learning disability assessment.
The Preparing for Adulthood Review should focus on what support and skills the young person needs to prepare for adulthood, looking at short, medium and long term goals.
This should include information from all the people involved in the young person’s life. It should identify what support may be needed in the future, who is responsible for it and how it will be provided.
It is important for parents to be aware of the Preparing for Adulthood Review and the role that they have to play in this process, as parents know their child best and can help shape the services they receive so that their child’s needs can be met appropriately.
The Annual Reviews which follow in subsequent years must also review the Preparing for Adulthood Plan as well as the Statement or EHCP.
If your child has SEN but no statement or EHCP they may still need some additional support to plan for the future, this is called SEND support. It is good practice for these young people to have a Preparing for Adulthood Plan but it is not compulsory. You can still ask the school for a meeting to discuss your son or daughter’s future. If you would like a Connexions Advisor to be invited you should let school know.