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Young adult preparing for Adulthood Year 9 and 10 (Age 13-15)

Preparation for Adulthood describes the period between the ages of 14 and 25 when young people, their families and others who support them consider:

  • Employment - opportunities to experience the world of work and achieve paid employment or a positive economic contribution
  • Developing Independence - maximising skills to live as independently as possible
  • Community Inclusion - developing friends, relationships, networks of support and accessing community events and facilities
  • Good Health - maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being able to access preventative and emergency healthcare services
Supporting young people to build a firm foundation in the local community ready for when they leave formal education or training can be complex because sometimes it needs professionals from different areas – education, health, social care, housing and employment – to work together to achieve good outcomes for the young person.
We hope that the information in this guide will help you find your way around this process. In Hounslow Local Offer you will find related information about about funding for post 16 SEN education provision

Young Person Year 9 and 10 without an EHCP

Changes or decisions to consider

You need to begin to consider your future learning needs, you should be fully involved in setting your own targets
• What are your aims and aspirations? what are you interested in and like doing?
• How can you achieve them? what will help?
• What next?

 What are your post 16 options?

• School 6th form or 6th form college (mainstream)
• Further Education College (FE College) with support to access mainstream courses, if needed
• Apprenticeship (training / learning whilst in paid work); NQF level 2 or 3
• Traineeship (training / learning whilst in unpaid work): NQF Level 2 or below
• Up to age 18, you must remain in full-time education, work-based learning, or part-time learning (if you work or volunteer for 20 hours or more per week)
• If you are below NQF Level 2 in Maths or English, you must continue to study these subjects post 16
• In addition, if you are disabled you are eligible for GP Annual Health Checks from age 14

 Who will help?

• SENCO at your current education provider
• Independent careers advisors in schools or careers helpline
• Other professionals who may be working with you e.g. social worker
• Schools and colleges may offer open days, taster sessions and school visits
• Apprenticeship and traineeship websites
• Hounslow Family Services Directory and SEN Local Offer

 What next?

• Ask for advice and support to help find the right course for you
• Consider where you may want to visit in year 10 and where you might apply to in year 11

Young person from Year 9-10 with an EHCP

Changes or decisions to consider

Your EHCP should be updated this year and include outcomes for the 4 “Preparing for Adulthood Categories” listed above
• What are your aims and aspirations? what are you interested in and like doing?
• How can you achieve them? What would help you achieve them?
• What can services do to support you?
• What extra information do you need?

 What are your post 16 options?

• School 6th Form or 6th Form college with or without an centre; normally courses are at NQF Level 2 or 3
• Special School 6th form
• Further Education (FE) College (with support to access mainstream courses); NQF Levels 1, 2 or 3
• FE College Supported Learning Unit / Specialist Hub; entry level courses with option to progress to NQF level 1+
• FE College Complex Needs Unit; entry level or below
• Apprenticeship (training / learning whilst in paid work); NQF level 2 or 3
• Traineeship (training / learning whilst in unpaid work): NQF Level 2 or below
• Independent Specialist College or 6th Form; various levels
• Other: alternative education if unable to access other options
• If you are below NQF Level 2 in Maths or English, you must continue to study these subjects post 16 Up to age 18, you must remain in full time education, work-based learning, or part-time learning (and work/volunteer for 20 hours or more per week)

Local colleges and options in Hounslow

• From age 14, if you are disabled you are eligible for GP Annual Health Checks

Who will help?

• School SENCo / education provider
• Hounslow SEN Team - you will be allocated a 14 to 25 Case Officer
• Independent careers advisors CONNEXIONS
• Other professionals who may be working with you, such as a social worker
• Schools and colleges offer open days, taster sessions and school visits
• Apprenticeship and trainee websites
• Hounslow SEN Local Offer 
• GP Finder
• Hounslow Independent Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

What next?

• Ask for advice and support to help find the right course for you
• Consider where you may want to visit
• Liaise with Hounslow's SEN Team
• Apply for a Freedom Pass if you are eligible and don’t already have one
• If you use trains regularly to go outside London, apply for a 14 to 25 Railcard or Disabled Person’s Railcard (which gives a discount for a carer)

In year 10 if you have a social worker you may start to meet members of a transition team to Adult social services.