ÌÇÐÄvlog

Starting in Year 9, a young person’s annual review must focus on Preparing for Adulthood (PfA), helping them plan for their future. This includes considering their goals for living, work, health, and community involvement. The process should be person-centered, focusing on their needs and preferences, with support from the local authority, possibly including an advocate.

The Year 9 review is an opportunity to assess the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), celebrate progress, and update the plan to ensure it aligns with the young person’s goals. It’s important for the young person to understand the plan and be involved in the process. The main goal is to adapt the plan to help them build on their skills, listen to their ideas, and empower them to make decisions for their future.

The Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) Outcomes page highlights a number of useful resources which may help and support you:

• Preparing for Adulthood Outcomes

The importance of the young persons voice

From year 9 onwards it’s vital that everyone understands your young person’s aspirations and their abilities, and the best way this can happen is by them being involved. This doesn’t mean they have to be part of all and every meeting, but they must be asked and listened too. You have an important role in encouraging your young person to talk about what they enjoy doing, where they see themselves living, what they are good at and what they need more help with. If your young person chooses not to attend, you have a responsibility to ensure that their views are presented and shared appropriately in a format of their choosing.

Remember that anything which is put onto the EHCP at year 9 is not set in stone, young people’s aspirations and ambitions often change, and their EHCP can be amended at future reviews.

Your young person will grow and learn new skills over the coming years which may influence their direction of travel and it’s important to share these in the conversations and incorporate them into the reviews. New experiences should open up new opportunities.