Growing up · England
When school or college finishes
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This guide is for people in England.
Plan your next step before your course finishes.
Think about what you want to keep doing.
Think about new things you want to try.
Plan how to keep seeing people who matter to you.
Include activities you enjoy.
You may want to keep learning.
Ask about your choices and any costs.
Ask the council to explain any decision to end your EHC plan.
You can ask how to appeal.
An adult care plan does not automatically end when an EHC plan ends.
Ask what support will continue.
Check what happens to your communication aid and other equipment.
New supporters may need training.
Ask when your new support will start.
Ask who to contact if something goes wrong.
Check whether the new plan works for you.
You can ask for changes.
What you can do next
Ask your college and council to help plan the change.
Tell them what matters to you.
Read about EHC plans after age 19 Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Find your local council Web pageFuller information
Ask about adult care, local learning and community opportunities.
- EHC plans after age 19 Web page
Official guidance about individual decisions.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Planning life after school or college
Keep learning, relationships and support going when a course finishes.
Young people leaving education and their supporters · England
Plan a meaningful week
Think about the people, activities and routines you want to keep. Explore learning, employment, friendships, volunteering, creative activities and time to rest. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities should have meaningful choices and opportunities too. Visits and short trials can help show what someone enjoys. A timetable should reflect the person, rather than simply fill empty hours.
Clarify the education decision
An EHC plan can continue after 19 where it remains necessary under the legal rules, but it does not automatically last until 25. Nor should it end simply because someone reaches 19. Ask the council to explain its decision and appeal rights. An EHC plan is not a guarantee of a particular college place or lifelong education funding.
Separate education from care
Before an EHC plan ends, use the review to agree the next services and practical steps. An existing adult Care Act care plan does not automatically stop because the EHC plan ceases. Ask adult social care about assessment or review where support needs are changing. Be clear about personal care, getting out, transport and help during the hours previously spent in education.
Keep equipment and health support connected
Check who owns and maintains communication aids and other equipment, and what happens when the course finishes. Agree training for new supporters and a backup for essential communication. Identify ongoing health and therapy contacts. For complex needs, ask the relevant teams to confirm handovers, prescriptions, supplies and individual care instructions before the last college day.
Check the practical arrangements
Agree start dates, travel, access needs and costs with each provider. Ask for written decisions about funded support; a visit or informal offer is not confirmation of funding. Check benefits and any proposed care charges with the relevant service or adviser. Families should explain what help they can and cannot continue to provide.
Review the new arrangements
Name someone to follow up incomplete tasks and arrange a review after the change. Ask whether activities remain enjoyable and whether support works. Keep communication methods familiar and listen to signs of interest or refusal. If a planned service falls through, contact the responsible team promptly and ask how assessed needs will be met.
Words you could use
“My course is ending. Please help me plan my next week, confirm continuing support and arrange any handovers before I leave.”
More useful links
- Find your local council Web pageFuller information
Ask about adult care, local learning and community opportunities.
- EHC plans after age 19 Web page
Official guidance about individual decisions.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Where the information comes from
Links checked 27 October 2026.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
- Department for Education: EHC plans from 19 to 25 Web page
Individual decisions about continuing or ending education support.
- SEND Code of Practice PDF
Paragraphs 8.75–8.76 and 9.210: leaving education and continuing adult care plans.
- NHS: care needs assessments Web page
Assessment, everyday support and separate financial assessment.
- NICE: integrated support for severe complex needs Web page
Continuing communication aids and equipment support across transitions.
- Sense: services and funding Web page
Examples of education, community activities and adult support with different funding arrangements.