Preparing for adulthood, college and adult services
Plan alongside a young person for education, work, healthcare, money and daily life, building the independence that matters to them without treating it as all or nothing.
What you can find here
- What should we start planning with our teenager before they turn 18?
- Which post-16 education, training or work routes fit their aims and support needs?
- How do support and adjustments change at college or university?
- What changes in healthcare, benefits and decision-making at 16 or 18?
- Which support will help this young person have more choice in daily life?
Begin with the main Library article
Main Library article
What should we prepare before our child turns 18?
A calm way to plan education, healthcare, money, decisions and daily life with a neurodivergent teenager before adulthood.
More from the Library
What happens to an EHC plan after 16, and when does it end?
How EHC plans work after compulsory school age in England, including college, apprenticeships, higher education, annual reviews and when a plan may end.
Written December 2025
What happens to disability benefits when my child turns 16?
What families need to do about DLA, PIP, Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment when a disabled young person turns 16.
Written December 2025
What changes when my child turns 16 or 18?
A UK guide to the education, healthcare, benefits and decision-making changes that may happen when a disabled young person turns 16 or 18.
Written December 2025
Post-16 support in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: what is different?
A practical comparison of additional learning support after 16 in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including plans, transition and college support.
Written December 2025
Post-16 options: compare the course, setting and support
Compare sixth form, college, apprenticeships, supported employment and other post-16 routes around the young person and the support they need.
Written December 2025
How do we build independence in money, travel and daily living?
A practical way to help a neurodivergent teenager manage money, travel and everyday tasks while keeping useful support in place.
Written November 2025
Moving from children’s to adult health services
Prepare for the move from children’s healthcare to adult services, including referrals, medication, family involvement and possible gaps.
Written November 2025
How college support works and what changes after school
How to arrange learning support, adjustments and practical help at college, including what does and does not transfer from school.
Written November 2025
Quick answers from the Blog
What is Disabled Students' Allowance, and how does my teenager apply?
How Disabled Students’ Allowance works, what it may fund and how to apply through the correct student-finance service.
Written November 2025
How do we start teaching independent travel?
How to teach one familiar journey in manageable stages, including route practice, road safety, shadowing and a back-up plan.
Written November 2025