Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report by Together Trust and National Star entitled What comes after education? Transitions to adulthood for disabled young people, published on 8 December 2023.

The report raises concerns around the challenges young people face when transitioning from education into adulthood, including uncertainty around post-16 options, employment and transitions to adult services. The department will consider these themes and the issues raised in the report and discuss with stakeholders as we progress our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform work.

The department knows that successful transitions must be well-planned. Preparing all children and young people with SEND for adulthood is a key part of the SEND system and should begin from the earliest point. All local authorities must set out the support available to help children and young people with SEND prepare for and transition to adulthood as part of their local offer. This includes support to help children and young people move between phases of education and preparation for adult life.

For those with an education, health and care (EHC) plan, there must be a focus from year 9 onwards on preparing the young person for adulthood as part of their plan’s annual review. This focus must continue until the young person’s EHC plan ceases. Planning for the transition to adulthood should result in clear outcomes being agreed that are ambitious and stretching, and which are tailored to the needs and interests of the young person.