Last updated:
8th October 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 get to say what you want for your future and what matters to you.
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).
