Growing up · England
Moving into adult life
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This guide is for young people in England.
You can get help to plan changes to your support.
Talk about what matters to you.
Your wishes should guide the plan.
Start planning before services change.
Different services may change at different times.
Ask who will help organise the changes.
Ask how to contact them.
Ask the council about an assessment for adult support.
People who care for you can ask about support too.
Make a list of the support and equipment you use.
Ask who will look after these when services change.
Ask to meet new workers before the move, if possible.
Tell them how to communicate with you.
Write down what will happen and when.
Ask who will do each task.
Check the plan after the changes happen.
Tell someone if support is missing.
What you can do next
Ask someone you trust to help you plan.
You can use the blank worksheet to prepare.
Read about transition plans Web pageThis link opens another website.
It may use harder words.
More useful links
- Coordinated transition plans Web page
What services should consider when planning together.
- Find your local council Web pageFuller information
Ask about transition assessments and the SEND Local Offer.
These links open other websites.
They may use harder words.
Moving into adult life and services
Plan changes to education, care and health support before services change.
Young people and their supporters · England
Start with the life you want
Talk about home, relationships, learning, work, interests and feeling well. Include the young person's own communication and choices. For someone with profound and multiple learning disabilities, explore familiar routines, enjoyment and comfort with people who know them well. Keep observations separate from other people's interpretations. A transition plan should cover everyday life as well as service appointments.
Begin before services change
The council must ensure that EHC-plan reviews from Year 9 include preparing for adulthood. Planning can start earlier. Ask health and care teams when their services change: there is no single transfer date for every service. NICE recommends a named worker to coordinate support. Agree who is doing this and how to contact them.
Ask about adult care and funding
A Care Act transition assessment is required where the young person is likely to need adult care or support and assessment would be of significant benefit. This concerns when assessment is useful, not just the severity of need. Ask about the young person's assessment and the carer's support. Clarify decisions, funding responsibilities and arrangements if support is not ready.
Make the handover practical
List the teams, treatments, equipment and support that must continue. Check communication aids, wheelchair servicing, medicines, feeding plans, therapies and personal care. Agree who receives each referral and when the first appointment will happen. Ask about visits or joint appointments with the new team. New supporters may need individual training; sending a document alone may not be enough.
Keep the young person involved
Explain changes using accessible information, familiar objects or pictures and enough time. Ask who the young person wants involved. Families can provide valuable knowledge, but being an adult's parent does not automatically give authority to make every decision. Ask the team to explain the relevant consent arrangements. Use the making-decisions guide where more support is needed.
Check that the plan happens
Record the next step, responsible person and date. Include school holidays, transport and a backup contact if arrangements fail. Review after the transfer and raise gaps promptly. The optional blank worksheet helps prepare conversations; it does not replace a statutory assessment or agreed care plan.
Words you could use
“Please help me make a transition plan. Who will coordinate it, what will change, and how will my support continue?”
More useful links
- Coordinated transition plans Web page
What services should consider when planning together.
- Find your local council Web pageFuller information
Ask about transition assessments and the SEND Local Offer.
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.
- NICE: transition between children's and adults' services Web page
Coordination, named workers, preparation and follow-up.
- NICE: integrated support for young people with severe complex needs Web page
Practical handovers, equipment and communication support.
- Care and support statutory guidance Web page
Chapter 16: transition assessments, timing and carers.
- SEND Code of Practice PDF
Paragraphs 8.9 and 8.13–8.14: adulthood planning and participation.
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