Young Person Year 13 (Age 17-18) - Things to consider

From age 14, young people start to consider what they want to do with their lives. Some young people need support to be more independent as they reach adulthood. Some young people need help to make choices and to take control over decisions that affect them.

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.

From age 14, young people start to consider what they want to do with their lives. Some young people need support to be more independent as they reach adulthood. Some young people need help to make choices and to take control over decisions that affect them.

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.

Changes or decisions to consider

What are your post 18/19 options?

Who will help?

What next?

Changes or decisions to consider

As for year 12 plus:

• Are you known to the Children with Disabilities Social Care Team (CWDT), have a learning disability (mental impairment) and are likely to need adult social care services?

• If you receive specialist NHS services, have you been prepared for a move to an adult service when you are 18, for being discharged or for moving to a lower level of community or primary care?

• If you are a looked after child (LAC) are you aware of your right to leaving care services until the age of 21?

• Are you are a young offender in a secure setting serving a Detention and Training Order (DTO)?

What are your post 18/19 options?

As for year 12 plus:

• If known to the CWDT you will be assessed by adult social care learning disabilities team and, if eligible, you will be allocated a social worker

• If you receive respite care services, you may move to an adult provider at 18 if you are eligible for adult services

• At 18, you can go onto the Council housing register and are eligible to claim housing benefit

• At 18, you are eligible to vote in elections

• At 18 (19 if completing a 2 year course), you need to reapply for Transport Assistance

• At 18, you will be consulted directly by service providers although you may continue to need support to engage fully

• At 18, you can access adult education courses

• If serving a DTO you should not move to an adult prison at 18

Who will help?

As for year 12:

• UCAS (for university applications)

• Adult providers e.g. adult NHS services, Adult Social Care LD Team

• Housing Advice (see Hounslow Council’s website)

• Professionals should arrange smooth transitions between children’s and adult services

• Professionals will support you to express your views and listen to you

• Adult Education Services

What next?

As for year 12 plus:

• Visit potential post 18/19 placements

• Register for new activities / clubs that you will access when you are 18

• Transition to adult social care respite settings, if eligible

• Register as a voter

• From age 18, if you leave education or training and do not wish to return, your EHCP will cease

• If you move to higher education (NQF Level 4 or above), your EHCP will cease