Guide to preparing for adulthood
Year 14 (18 to 19 years old)
Education, training and employment
Moving into employment
When you finish year 13, you do not need to continue in education or training if you don't want to.
If you move into employment, either full-time or part-time, you can still get support to meet your needs.
Support and benefits
You can apply for Access to Work if you have a disability or health condition that makes it hard for you to do parts of your job.
When you are 18, if you decide you do not want to continue in education / training, may be eligible for Universal Credit.
Continuing in education or training
If you are continuing in education / training, it is important that you are working towards your career goals.
You should plan to gradually spend more time in the work-related learning or employment area that you are interested in.
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, learning to drive
Support for your carers
Adult respite services allow the person who cares for you to take a break, whilst your care is provided by another service.
If you are eligible, the move to adult respite services should be completed.
Developing independence
You should continue to think about how you can develop your independence.
Housing / accommodation
Look at housing options and make sure that you are getting all of the information you and your family need to make decisions about your future.
If you are eligible, personal budgets are a good way to personalise the support you get in education / health and care.
Benefits
If you are leaving education or training, you may be eligible for benefits such as Universal Credit.
A benefit check should be completed before you leave your school / setting.
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
Your health and wellbeing
Continue having your Annual Health Check if you are eligible.
If you have long-term or complex health needs
If you have long-term or complex health needs, you may have a Health Lead who supports you with co-ordinating your care needs. They should be invited to your Annual Review meetings.
With your consent, services should share information and reports with the professionals who support you, to make sure you are getting the support you need.
If you need to visit the hospital
If you need to visit the hospital, you can get support whilst you are there. You can complete a care passport, or ask someone to do this for you.
If you have an Education, Health and Care Plan
If you have an Education, Health and Care (EHCP), and you will not be continuing in education / training, your EHCP will be ceased (stopped).
There should be a review meeting to discuss this with you and anyone else you would like bring with you.
The meeting will look at what support you need and how this might be provided.
If you are continuing in education / training, your Annual Review should focus on your goals for the future, and how any planned study programme will support you to achieve this.
If you are a care leaver
If you are leaving care in South Tyneside, the Council will give you support until you are 25.
This is known as the Care Leavers' Local Offer.
You can also talk to your personal advisor if you need any extra support.