This course explores how education professionals can support young people to prepare for adulthood, with a significant focus on the experiences and needs of young people with additional needs. It considers what meaningful preparation for adulthood looks like and how professionals can help young people develop greater independence, confidence, self-advocacy and the practical skills they need to participate more fully in decisions about their lives and futures. 

You’ll explore person-centred transition planning and the key Preparing for Adulthood outcomes, including education and employment, independent living, relationships and community participation, and good health. The course also considers executive functioning and self-management, emotional wellbeing, employability skills, career pathways and work-related experiences. Throughout, the emphasis is on maintaining high aspirations while recognising where additional support, reasonable adjustments and carefully planned opportunities can enable young people to make meaningful progress. 

You’ll also consider the importance of effective partnership working between young people, families, education professionals and other services. Practical strategies will help you embed preparation for adulthood into everyday practice, create opportunities for young people to make informed choices and gradually increase responsibility. By connecting aspirations with real-world experiences, skills and appropriate support, you can help young people build greater ownership of their future and move towards positive, fulfilling and increasingly independent adult lives.