Last updated:

30th September 2025

What preparing for adulthood means

You become an adult when you turn 18.

Preparing for adulthood means planning for your future as an adult.

When to start planning

You can start planning when you are around 13, but you can start earlier too. It is never too early to start thinking about your future.

If you have an education, health and care plan (EHCP), your annual reviews from Year 9 onwards should look at preparing you for adulthood. 

Making your own decisions

As you get older, it is important that you are involved in decisions about your future.

From the last Friday in June of Year 11 (the year you turn 16) you have the right to make decisions about things like:

  • your education and training
  • the support you need
  • what is written in your education, health and care plan (EHCP)

Find out more about making your own decisions.

What to think about

Preparing for adulthood involves 4 main areas:

Education and work

Your next steps after Year 11, such as college, training, volunteering and getting a job.

Find out more about:

Independent living

Thinking about where you want to live, and what support or skills you might need to be independent.

Find out more about:

Community and social activities

How you want to spend your free time, and how to find activities or groups you enjoy being part of.

Browse clubs on the Local Offer Directory.

Staying healthy and well

Looking after your physical and mental health, and knowing who can help.

Find out more about:

Get help or ask a question

If you need help to find information, use the online SEND Local Offer contact form

More information

For young people

Read our Preparing for adulthood easy read guide for young people (PDF document).

For parents and carers

Read our Preparing for adulthood information guide for parents and carers (PDF document).

For service providers

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) has developed a range of resources and tools to help with preparing for adulthood.

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