Transition planning for children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Children and young people with an education, health and care plan (EHCP)
From year 9 transition planning must be incorporated within the EHCP annual review, which, should identify what career, adult social care and health support is required in preparation for when a young person is turning 18. Not all young people with an EHCP will remain in formal education until the age of 25, with the majority leaving education and transitioning into adulthood from the age of 18. Some young people may go on to employment, higher education or to be fully supported by health or a social care.
EHCP annual reviews should be informed by ongoing transition planning and a plan that covers discussions and support for:
- Exploring the decisions children and young people wish to take for themselves
- Identifying and planning for appropriate post-16 educational pathways that will lead to higher education and/or employment
- Provision from health and social care
- Understanding what and how universal services can support
- Where to go to find support, information, advice and guidance from health, care, their community, housing and the Job Centre
- Where the child or young person may wish to live in the future
- Robust planning for transition to full social care or health care where young people leave formal education and when the EHCP will cease
- Support on how to find employment and how to do a job
- Understanding welfare and housing benefits
Each EHCP transition plan will be individual to the child or young person, and the post-school or college pathway may be to higher education, employment or transition into full adult health or care services where a young person’s future needs will be met. The transition plan should also detail any arrangements for when the EHCP ceases.
Professionals supporting children and young people with preparing for adulthood should focus on aspirations for employment and support for greater independence.
We'll ask children in year 11 what their post-16 college preferences are. This will help us to decide, and to consult with an appropriate post-16 provider by sharing the EHCP to ensure that needs can be met.
Children and young people aged 13 to 19 will be provided with careers advice by their school or further education institution.
There will be lots for children and young people to think about when planning for their future pathway, including:
- Where to go to find out information to make informed decisions about their future
- The support they feel they may need
- The qualification and skills they need to work towards
- The college courses or training they may wish to access
- The options for employment and the different employment pathways
- The actions they need to take themselves to move towards their employment ambitions
- The thoughts they have about their living arrangements and supportive relationships in the future
- Where to find out information about transport and who can support them
- The health or social care support they may need in the future
- How to stay as healthy as possible
- How universal services could help