Preparing for Adulthood
All young people have hopes and aspirations for their future and with the right support, they should be able to confidently become self-sufficient, build successful careers and be independent of their own lives. Young people go from being a teenager to becoming an adult and this process is called Preparing for Adulthood (PFA).
Although, this is an exciting time, it is also recognised to be a very difficult time for many young people, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The process can at times take longer and need more careful preparation than for other young people of a comparable age.
Young people with SEND can experience barriers to full engagement and achievement in all areas, and accordingly need additional support, adjustments as well as commitment from sensitive staff to meet their needs in order to reach their full potential.
Wakefield is strongly committed to enabling young people with SEND who have an Education Health and Care Plan to move successfully into adulthood and achieve aspirational outcomes in the areas of employment, independent living, participating within an inclusive community, becoming an active citizen, and meeting their health and well-being needs.
We aim to work with young people and their families and capture information that will influence strategy and inspire other young people to further develop their abilities, skills and experiences and empower them to take charge of all aspects of their care. We also intend to strengthen the effectiveness of commissioning, by supporting collaborative approaches between health, education and social care.
Preparing for Adulthood is a key element of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms that aims to improve young people’s achievement of the four key life outcomes:
- Employment and further education,
- Living independently,
- The best health possible,
- Having friends and relationships and being able to participate in the local community.
The process includes the preparation and planning needed to support young people to move from school to further education choices such as sixth form or college and university. The needs of the young person are dependent on this and it may include the move from children’s social care and paediatric health services to adult social care and health services.
We are committed to young people with SEND reaching their aspirations and ultimately preparing them for adulthood. We will do this through enabling, supporting and empowering young people to develop the skills required and help them move successfully through education. For some young people with the most complex needs, it is important to provide meaningful opportunities and celebrate the small steps towards enhancing independence and having a quality life experience.
The SEND Code of Practice Chapter 8 highlights the need for this preparation to start early and centre on the young person’s own aspirations, interests and needs. The Department for Education Outcomes chart illustrates the preparing for adulthood outcomes across the age ranges for children and young people with SEND.
What will this include for children and young people in Wakefield:
- We aim to work in partnership with all stakeholder groups with a view to better preparing children and young people with SEND for adulthood.
We will enable, empower and supporting young people to:
- Reach a level of academic attainment which will commensurate with their underlying abilities and support their aspirations,
- Attain the skills they need to move successfully through their education; and follow accredited and vocational opportunities through participation in volunteering opportunities; work tasters, work experience/placements; supported internships; traineeships, apprenticeships; job coaching; and substantive employment,
- Develop the skills and confidence they need to become as independent as possible with reference to : travel; increasing their ability to organise, plan and effectively manage their daily activities, including, managing their finances, cooking and cleaning; living on their own or with others; and developing and maintaining positive relationships with friends and others into adult life,
- Become and continue to be active citizens; residing and participating in their local communities in addition to making a positive contribution to the development and improvement of them and make independent choices and decisions in an adult context,
- Be safe and able to maintain a healthy lifestyle by taking responsibility for their own health and well-being and understand what health services are available to support them - including mental health services.
5 Day Officer
- The role of the 5 Day Officer is to support young people outside of their education settings, for a maximum of 6 months, through targeted work.
- The role will support young people to access provision that includes volunteering or community participation and work experience opportunities that will enable young people with a skillset needed to make a successful transition to adulthood.
- Click the buttons below to read more about Wakefield's 5 Day Officer and to access the referral form for the 5 Day Offer -
5 Day Officer Role & Responsibilities
5 Day Offer Referral Form Easy-Read
For further information please contact:
sendpfa@wakefield.gov.uk
