To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support young people with additional support needs through transitions in their education.
Answered on
15 November 2022
Well-planned transitions are key to setting children and young people up for success. The department recognises the importance of children and young people being supported when they transition between different stages of their education, employment, or adult social care services.
An important part of this is ensuring that all children and young people are prepared for adulthood, as is explained in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) code of practice. All local authorities must set out the support available to help children and young people with SEND move into adulthood, as part of their local offer. The department expects activity to support effective preparation for adulthood to be embedded within education provision across every age and stage, starting as early as possible.
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.
The department is currently exploring good practice on transitions, to provide consistent, timely, high-quality transition preparation for children and young people with SEND. This will ultimately look at transitions between all stages of education.
To further help with preparation for adulthood, we are supporting the Department for Work and Pensions to develop an Adjustments Passport that will help to smooth the transition into employment and support people changing jobs, including people with SEND. The Adjustments Passport will capture the in-work support needs of the individual and empower them to have confident discussions about adjustments with employers.