Find out about support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities who are preparing to move to adulthood.
On this page
- What does preparing for adulthood mean?
- Nottinghamshire's preparing for adulthood guide
- Moving to adult social care and health services
- Nottinghamshire County Council's Preparing for Adulthood team
- Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) events
What does preparing for adulthood mean?
Preparing for adulthood is the process when a young person is getting ready to move from childhood into adulthood.
Life for adults is different to life for children, which may include moving to adult services if you have care and support needs. It's important that you have the right information at the right time to make sure you’re preparing for adulthood.
From Year 9 (age 13 to 14 years) preparing for adulthood conversations should begin at school. They should include:
- what jobs you might like to do when you're an adult
- your options for education or training
- your future goals
- where you might want to live and how to be as independent as possible
- things you want to do in your community, like your hobbies, interests, and meeting friends
- how you're going to be as healthy as possible.
Nottinghamshire's preparing for adulthood guide
The new preparing for adulthood guide has been designed to support young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 14 to 25 as they plan their transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The guide covers a wide range of topics, including education and employment, living independently, friendships and relationships, travelling, health and financial support.
The goal is to provide support to young people with the information they need to make informed choices about their future. The guide will also be a valuable resource for professionals, such as educators, social workers and healthcare providers, who support young people who are reaching adulthood.
Download the Preparing for Adulthood Guide (Nottinghamshire County Council) [PDF] or visit the Preparing for Adulthood Guide (Nottinghamshire County Council) to learn more and find support for young people and families.
Moving to adult social care and health services
Preparing for adulthood may include moving to adult services if you have health and social care support needs and it's important that you have the right information at the right time.
For more about moving to adult social care and health services, go to the Health and social care transitions page
Nottinghamshire County Council's Preparing for Adulthood Team
Nottinghamshire County Council have a Preparing for Adulthood Team, who can provide support for young people.
They work with young people who have an impairment and require social care support that cannot be accessed through community services already in place.
The Preparing for Adulthood Team can help with:
- being independent
- being part of the community
- getting the right support
- giving support to carers including short breaks
- helping with safety and risks
For details, go to the Preparing for Adulthood Team directory listing.
Learn how the Preparing for Adulthood Team can help young people in this 4-minute YouTube video:
Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) events
The Statutory SEND Service hold annual PFA events for young people with education, health and care plans in year 9 and above.
The event gives the young people and their parents or carers the opportunity to meet with a variety of education, health and care professionals and organisations and gather useful information to support them to make informed choices about their futures as they move into adulthood.
For more about upcoming PFA events, go to Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) events and directory section