Preparation for Adulthood from the Earliest Years

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice (2015) outlines the concept of preparing for adulthood by focusing on several key outcomes:

Higher Education and/or Employment: This involves exploring various employment options, including support for self-employment and assistance from supported employment agencies.
Independent Living: This emphasizes enabling young people to have choice, control, and freedom over their lives, including decisions about their support, accommodation, and living arrangements, such as supported living.
Participation in Society: This includes having friends, forming supportive relationships, and engaging in and contributing to the local community.
Health: Ensuring young people are as healthy as possible in adult life.

These are collectively referred to as the Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) outcomes. While the PfA outcomes seem tailored for older children and young people, particularly those of secondary school age, the Code of Practice (2015) emphasises that preparation for adulthood should begin in the early years. The foundation for successful transition into adulthood for all children and young people is laid early, through a planned and intentional approach to teaching and learning. This approach should foster children’s ability to make decisions and involve them in shaping their educational experiences. It is crucial that preparation for adulthood is integrated into all educational settings and their curriculum offer.

6th March 2025 - PfA online conference

Further details to be announced shortly.

To express an interest in our upcoming online conference, please email the team with 'PfA online conference' in the subject.

Preparing for Adulthood from the Earliest Years Review Guide

A great place to start is with our refreshed ‘Preparing for Adulthood from the Earliest Years’ Review Guide was trialled with schools in Oxfordshire who found that taking part in the process resulted in:

A clear focus and drive for school improvement
More widely shared expertise and good practice
Better understanding of the rationale of PfAEY
A clear and strategic vision for embedding PfAEY
A named PfAEY governor

Read the review guide

Teacher Handbook: SEND

General
19 Aug 2024

Free

Teacher Handbook SEND

PfAEY

A reference book designed to improve the educational experience of children and young people by helping education practitioners put inclusion at the heart of their practice.

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