Guide to preparing for adulthood
Year 13 (17 to 18 years old)
Education, training and employment
When you turn 18, you will become responsible for all decision-making.
You can still get support and advice from your parents / carers, family and friends, or another service.
Some young people do not have the ability to understand and make a decision when it needs to be made.
See what happens if someone can't understand and make decisions.
Continuing in education and training
You should continue to update your careers plan.
You should plan to gradually spend more time in the work-related learning or employment area you are interested in.
You should continue to look at all possible options, including:
- supported employment
- apprenticeships
- work-based learning
- work-related learning at college
- paid work
- self-employment
- higher education
See post-16 education, training and employment
Travelling independently
Think about the help and adjustments that can be made to help you travel independently.
Benefits
When you are 18, if you decide you do not want to continue in education / training, may be eligible for Universal Credit.
Friendship, relationships and community
You should continue thinking about your social group, and how you will make arrangements to keep in touch with your friends in future.
Speak to your social worker or Early Help worker if you need support or help with:
- accessing local services
- travelling / getting out when you would like to, either on your own, with friends, or with support
- using a telephone, mobile, email, and social networking sites
- using public transport and learning to drive
Support for your carers
You may be eligible for adult respite services. These services allow the person who cares for you to take a break, whilst your care is provided by another service.
If you are eligible, a plan will be developed with you to help you move into these services.
Developing independence
Housing / accommodation
If you have decided you want to live away from your parents / carers, or if you are moving away to university, you should have all the information you need about housing options.
You should have discussed which housing option will best meet your needs.
You should have a benefits check when you are 17 years and 6 months. This will help you to find out about any benefits you are eligible for if you are leaving education / training.
Funding
You will need to decide about any personal budgets, how you might use these to personalise the support you get, and who will manage these if you are not able to do this yourself.
Managing your money
If you need support with managing your money, you should ask for advice about an appointeeship / deputy.
Travelling independently
If you can't travel independently, think about the support you might need to help develop your independent travel skills, and any help that might be available.
Good health
Moving to adult health services (transition)
You will start to move from children's health services into adults health service, if you are eligible.
If you have previously been under the care of a paediatrician, they will have referred you in to the individual services / consultants that you need.
If you are currently accessing children's mental health services, they will work with you to decide if you need adult mental health services.
Having your voice heard
If you need support with your health care, there are a range of services that can support you with having your voice heard.
If you need Continuing Health Care
If you are eligible for Continuing Health Care, you will have a care co-ordinator who will work with you to manage your health and wellbeing needs.
If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan
If you have Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and you will not be continuing in education of training, or if you are planning on going to university, your EHCP will be ceased (stopped).
There should be a review meeting where this will be discussed with you, and with anyone else you would like to attend the meeting.
The meeting will look at what support you need and how this might be provided.
You may need an Adult Social Care assessment to see if you are eligible for support.
If you are leaving care
If you are leaving care, you will have a Personal Assistant who will work with you and support you through the plan that has been made.