Transfer and Transition

When you’re in Year 9, people should start helping you plan for the future—what you want to do, where you might want to go, and how to get there.

What can help:

• EHCP (Education, Health, and Care Plans) can give you access to support and even a Personal Budget to help build independence and learn life skills.

• Your local council should make sure services (like housing, health, and education) work together to support you.

Year 9

• Start talking about your future.

• Look at college brochures or apprenticeships to see what interests you.

Year 10

• Explore specific subjects, colleges, or training with taster days or visits.

Year 11

• Get to know places you might go next.

• Visit colleges again and see if they have taster sessions.

From Year 8 to Year 13, schools must give you independent careers advice.

You should learn about:

• Different types of jobs.

• Work experience.

• Mentoring and speakers.

• Starting your own business.

When you turn 16 (after your last school year), you are called a young person, and you can start making more decisions yourself—if you’re ready.

• You can talk directly to services like SENDIASS for advice.

• If your parent contacts SENDIASS, you’ll need to give permission for them to speak on your behalf.

Your school, college, and the council will support you by:

• Helping you and your family prepare for annual reviews.

• Looking at what subjects or training suit your interests and goals.

• Making sure your EHCP includes what you need to succeed after 16.

You might also get support five days a week if that’s what you need, including:

• Education,

• Health or therapy,

• Social care support.

Here are some ways to get ready for a job:

College Course

You study for a qualification, but it’s unpaid.

Apprenticeship

You get paid while you work and train. You still have your EHC plan.

Traineeship

Short program with training and work experience. For ages 16–24.

Supported Internship

Unpaid work and study program for young people with EHC plans. Helps you move into paid work.

Volunteering

Working for free to gain experience or help others.

You should be helped to:

• Plan your next steps (like work or more training)

• Learn about local employers and support

• Stay connected to services even after your EHCP ends

This is a government scheme to help if your disability makes working harder.

You must:

• Be 16+ and in (or about to start) a job,

• Live in England,

• Have a health condition that lasts 12+ months.

It helps with things like:

• Travel to work.

• Special equipment.

• A job coach.

As you grow up, your care and support may move to adult services. The council will check:

• What support you need now,

• What you’ll likely need after turning 18,

• How to make sure you don’t lose support suddenly.

• You can still get support and go to college for free if you have an EHCP.

• If you don’t have an EHC plan, the college might charge fees, but they should still support your needs as best they can.

Mental Capacity Act (age 16+)

• You can make your own choices if you understand what’s involved.

• If not, someone may need to help, like a Deputy (chosen by a court).

Power of Attorney

You choose someone to make decisions for you (if you still understand things clearly).

Deputyship

If you can’t make decisions, a court picks someone (like a parent) to act for you.

This is a law that protects people who need a lot of support and can’t make some decisions.

• It makes sure any limits (like not going out alone) are done for good reasons.

• LPS starts at age 16, unlike older rules that started at 18.