Preparing for Adulthood – an introduction

Hello, my name is Sarah Smith, and I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and my newly created role Preparation for Adulthood Outcomes Lead in this edition of Families in Partnership newsletter. This is a newly created role which I started on the 8th of January this year.

One of my objectives is to develop and improve Preparation for Adulthood EHCP outcomes which are realistic and person-centred that will support our SEND young people and children of Gloucestershire to achieve their desired ambitions and support with transitions.

I previously worked at The Employment and Skills Hub as one of the SEND Post 16 Pathways Adviser in the Forwards Education team. I worked with young people and their networks including families, raising aspirations and providing advice and guidance on appropriate Post 16 provision. This has given me an excellent starting block for this new role to look at how we develop best SEND practices across all four Preparation for Adulthood pathways and to ensure and monitor by working with education providers that there is a positive impact being embedded across EHC plans and decision making.

What is Preparing for Adulthood or PfA? Who’s responsible for it?

Preparing for Adulthood or PFA, might be something that’s discussed with teachers, TA’s SENCO’s and other professionals as your child gets older. We recognise you are planning years in advance for your young person, it is recommended that Preparation for Adulthood starts at year 9 with the school, parents, carers, family members and professionals. All of our aim is to put support and strategies in place to help young people who are able, to become as independent as possible when they move into adulthood.

Whose responsibility is Preparation for Adulthood for our young people? Simple answer to this question is – it is ALL our responsibility. Everyone involved in a young persons’ network has a part to play in ensuring access to appropriate support and services.

We will be exploring “What does Preparation for Adulthood mean and how can we improve the lives of our young people with SEND” in a collaborative approach with colleagues across Education, Health and Social Care to develop effective participation and most importantly coproduction with children, young people and yourselves as parents and carers.

In the coming editions of the Families in Partnership Newsletter, I would like to spotlight some fellow GCC colleagues and our partners from across the county with whom I will be working closely alongside. For future editions we will focus on each of the four Pathways and provide a platform to spotlight services and professionals working within and most importantly how you can access support.

Preparing for Adulthood spotlight - SENDIASS

For this edition, Isobel Rutt Post 16 SENDIASS Advisor gives us an overview of her role and how she can support with Preparing for Adulthood.

Every Local Authority has a legal obligation to offer an information, advice and support service (IASS) and that’s where we at SENDIASS come in!

My role is to support the child or young person along with their parents or carers. Practically this can involve:

• Signposting to organisations that can help the young person covering finances, local charities etc.
• Supporting the completion of forms or explaining official letters.
• Supporting the voice of the young person and family by accompanying them to meetings including TAC, TAF, annual reviews and subsequent appeals etc.
• Ensuring that young people and their families are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities and different options available to them.
• Meeting young people either at their school/college or at youth groups and hearing their voice in helping to steer future strategic decisions.
• My role is also proactive. I can support a school or a college understand with training and understanding how SEND is developing in our county and nationally.

Practically I can support schools/colleges by:

• Attending open evenings and ‘next steps’ events.
• Staff and/or parent presentations regarding key areas such as SEND and the law, a successful annual review, Preparation for Adulthood, supporting SEND governor.
• Support with understanding Gloucestershire’s Local Offer.

What’s Next?

There are lots of exciting plans in the pipeline, here is a snippet of a pilot project below happening this March. Look out for information in future newsletters of FIP to find out how you and your school can get involved?

SkillZONE has partnered with Gloucestershire County Council, Great Western Railway, Stagecoach, and the Midcounties Co-op to enhance access to life-skill learning. This collaboration acknowledges the Local Authority's commitment to a sustainable intervention, employing a multi-agency approach to foster Independence, Self-Help, and Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) within the Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) process.

SkillZONE's safety centre provides the ideal, secure, and low-stimulus environment for young people to practice essential life skills such as shopping or using public transport. This controlled setting offers a unique opportunity for teaching staff, who know the needs and abilities of their students so well, to guide them in achieving meaningful targets outlined in their EHCPs. With a focus on practical scenarios, SkillZONE empowers both educators and students, fostering a hands-on learning experience that aligns seamlessly with individualised development goals, creating a pathway towards greater independence and confidence in navigating real-world challenges.

I welcome any views or suggestions from you, my details are below if you would like to get in touch for a chat.

I look forward to our paths crossing soon.

Sarah Smith

Preparation for Adulthood Outcomes Lead

Sarah.smith3@gloucestershire.gov.uk

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