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.
Contents
Whole School SEND (WSS) have CPD and other resources which will help schools and colleges as they plan to prepare their learners for adulthood. We have grouped these into four categories:
- Upcoming events
- Resources
- Continuing professional development (CPD)
- Blogs
We hope you find these useful.
Upcoming Events
Resources
CPD
Blogs
Our Partners
Our Universal Services programme partners have a number of useful resources.
Autism Education Trust
The Education and Training Foundation (ETF)
We would also recommend following links to some our Consortium Partners who work in this area for further information.