The Preparing for Adulthood service is the journey from Children’s services to Adult Social Care services, supporting young people in the BCP area with special educational needs to transition from their education to their adult life.

The team have Adult Social Care Workers who will help you to live a healthy and independent life, building friendships, supporting you through education to employment, voluntary work or day services.

The team will communicate in an open, honest and respectful way with you, your parents, carers, and other professionals who support you.

Before you reach 16 years, we will meet with you to discuss your future plans and options, and to understand if it is likely that you will have care and support needs that will meet the eligibility criteria within the Care Act (2014). This is often during your Early Health and Care Plan annual review with your school or college.

At around 18 years, depending on your circumstances, we will work with you to ensure that you are able to achieve your goals, when you are an adult. A financial assessment will also be completed by the Financial Assessment and Benefits team, this will let you know what you need to pay towards the cost of any care and support provided.

The Preparing for Adulthood Team can provide you with information and connect you to

• Living Arrangements
• Health Services
• Further Education/Training/ Employment
• Careers Advice
• Paying for Care
• Legal Frameworks
• Direct Payments
• Access to an Independent Advocate for young people if required
• Support Services.

We can also work with carers to provide:

• advice, support and signposting to services who can help them.
• assessment of the carers support needs.
• support with the journey of the child becoming an adult.
• assistance in developing a contingency plan in case of an emergency.

For more information, please contact the Adult Social Care contact centre on 01202 123654 or call the Preparing for Adulthood Team on 01202 127878.