What happens to EHC Plans for young people Post 16?
Some young people with an EHC Plan may need to stay in education or training for longer to help them achieve their goals and prepare for adult life.
When deciding whether an EHC Plan should continue, North Yorkshire Council must consider whether it is still needed. They should look at both the young person's special educational needs and their progress towards preparing for adulthood.
There are four main areas of preparing for adulthood:
- Employment and further education
Helping young people move into paid work, apprenticeships, training, or higher education. - Independent living
Developing skills needed for everyday life, such as managing money, travelling independently, and making decisions. - Friendships, relationships and community involvement
Supporting young people to build relationships, take part in community activities, and feel included. - Good health
Helping young people stay as healthy as possible and manage their health needs.
Education and training needs vary from person to person, so not all EHC Plans will continue until age 25. However, an EHC Plan can stay in place until the end of the academic year in which a young person turns 25, if it is still needed.
When an EHC Plan is due to end, North Yorkshire Council should make sure there are suitable plans in place to support the young person's move into adult services where appropriate.
If a young person has both an EHC Plan and an adult social care assessment or care plan, the local authority should try to coordinate reviews. This helps to make the process simpler by:
- Reducing the number of meetings young people need to attend.
- Avoiding the need to provide the same information more than once.
- Making sure different services work together.
- Providing support that is connected, planned, and focused on the young person's needs and goals.