Preparing for adult life

Transition is the journey from childhood through adolescence into adulthood and it starts at the age of 14 (Year 9 at school) and continues up to the age of 25.  This is an important experience for young people as they focus on building healthy and fulfilling adult lives. 

For most children with special educational needs and disability (SEND) who receive specialist social care support from Camden’s Children and Young People Disability Service (CYPDS), CYPDS will continue to work with the young person up to the ages of 18 to 25 and their parent/carer to ensure their care and support transitions smoothly to Adult Social Care to prepare for adult life. 

A small number of young people who have continuing care needs or significant learning disabilities will be eligible to receive support from Adult Social Care from the age of 18.

The  transition to adult life can be a confusing time and you may have lots of questions about what happens next.  Camden’s Local Offer is the website for information about what support is available for children and young people with SEND, and their families.  

Camden’s Local Offer aims to provide an easier way to find out what you need, such as:

• education, health and care services
• what services you can expect to receive
• the referral process for support and what the criteria is
• other support that is available
• contact details.

The Local Offer includes a specific section on Preparing for Adult Life age 14 to 25 to find information and getting the right support to help you plan for the future.  Watch a video (located halfway down the page on the link) to find out what young people need to think about as they approach their 18th birthday.

In the Preparing for Adult Life 14 to 25 section of the Local Offer you can find out about:

• the Camden Special Parents Forum to discuss issues that are important to families.  The Forum is open all parents and carers in Camden with a child/young person with special needs and disability
• Resources in Easy Read formats including documents, videos and other web tools such as wikis
• Downloadable leaflets, including Pathway to Adulthood for Young People with SEND
• Links to related services