Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)
Lewisham’s vision is to enable young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to live, learn and work within their local community, achieve sustained progression, resulting in better life outcomes. This will be achieved by supporting parents and young people in planning more effectively for the future, from an earlier age.
The Children and Families Act 2014 enable joint working with parents, young people across education, social care and health to meet the assessed needs of young people in a person centred way. Through the Education, Health and Care Plan, destination led pathways will be developed, ensuring provision and support leads to sustained outcomes. The aim of the Children and Families Act is to raise aspirations and encourage families to think about what the future may look like from the earlier stage.
The new Special educational needs and disability code of practice: 0-25 years (which supports the new law) says preparing for adulthood means preparing for:
- further education, training and/or employment
- independent lives
- participating in society: friendships and contributing to the local community
- health and well-being
PREPARING FOR ADULTHOOD
Children and Families Act 2014
The principles behind the new law (provided by Council of Disabled Children)
Children and Families Act 2014 – Summary of main points (provided by Bromley Voice)
Preparing for Adulthood – National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi)
Preparing for Adulthood - Person-centred Planning Tools
Preparing children with Special Educational Needs for Adulthood
Supported Internship – Access To Work
SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE
Paying for care at home
Supporting People within their own home and community
Preparing for adult life
Mencap
Mencap - Advice and Support
All educational settings from nursery to further education
An independent charity for people with learning disabilities
PREPARING FOR ADULTHOOD AND SOCIAL CARE TEAMS
Getting adult social care
Moving from children’s services to adult services
Paying for care and other financial advice
Find a care agency or personal assistant
TRANSITION
Family Guide to Preparing for Adulthood
Education health and care planning
Preparing for Adulthood is part of the Delivering Better Outcomes Together (DBOT) team which is a consortium of Mott Macdonald, NDTi and the Council for Disabled Children.
From Child to Adult: A guide to disability, transition and family finances – updated 2019.
Resources and links to information about transport and travel from Transition Information Network (TIN), a specialist network of the Council for Disabled Children set up to provide targeted information and resources about transition.
COLLEGES AND FURTHER EDUCATION
Education, Health & Care Planning
Livability Nash College is an independent specialist further education college for disabled people aged 19-25.
Lewisham Southwark College is a college of further education, based at three sites in Lewisham, Deptford, and Southwark.
London South East Colleges provides education and training for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Shooter Hill Sixth Form College provide a safe, challenging and great environment for young people.
Universities and colleges are increasingly aware of the needs of students with a disability and students with a learning difficulty.
Riverston is a happy, successful school for boys and girls aged 1 – 19 years.
EMPLOYMENT AND BENEFITS
Preparing for Adulthood - Employment
Supported internships are a structured study programme based primarily at an employer.
Help with employment
Mencap - Employment Programmes
Three Cs stands for 'Control and Choice in the Community' for people with learning disabilities and/or mental health challenges.
Autism Exchange is a work experience programme for autistic young people aged 16-25.
Supported Internship – Access To Work
Contact – Guide to Universal Credit
DWP Support For Schools Careers Guide 2021
INDEPENDENT LIVING
Day to day living support
Supported living
Mencap are a passionate group of people committed to changing the world for everyone with a learning disability.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND ACTIVITIES
Advice on relationships and community
Information on Hate/Mate Crime from Lewisham Speaking Up