Event showcases help and support for young people with special educational needs who are preparing for adulthood
Young people with special educational needs (SEN), or with an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and their parents/carers, came together today (Thursday 26 September 2019) to find out what advice and support is out there for young people preparing for adulthood.
The Preparing for Adulthood event, hosted by Shropshire Council and Severndale Specialist Academy, took place at Shrewsbury Town Football Club.
Preparing for Adulthood event
The event, aimed at Year 9 pupils and above, had been organised to help inform and support young people in making decisions relating to employment, independent living and community participation. The event showcased a wide range of services and agencies, including further education providers, social care, health and independent support services across Shropshire.
Preparing for Adulthood event
Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:-
“Following last year’s success, we are really pleased to be hosting our second Preparing for Adulthood event.
“We and our partners are committed to ensuring every child and young person in Shropshire is given every opportunity to thrive and become the best adult they can. Our Preparing for Adulthood event is just one of many activities we do to help children and young people reach their full potential and ensure that they are happy, health and safe.
“We warmly welcome young people and their families, and hope that the range of information and advice available at our event will help inform their decisions as they make plans for their future.”
Children and young people from schools and colleges across Shropshire attended the event, and it was also a chance for parents and carers to come along to find out more.
Preparing for Adulthood event
Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, added:
“It is important that young people from across the county who have SEN or an EHCP are made aware of the support and opportunities available to them, at an earlier stage in their education, as they move towards adulthood.
“Our Preparing for Adult team support young people towards greater independence and employability, and understand it is critical to success that transition starts early.
“The team develop strong personal relationships with young people and with partners, they make connections, and challenge providers of services to be more creative about what they offer for young adults, enabling them to live the lives they want.”
Preparing for Adulthood event
To find out more about what support and advice is available for children and young people with SEN, visit our new SEND Local Offer webpages at https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/the-send-local-offer/. The new website, which was launched at today’s event, contains information and advice about health, education, social care, preparing for adulthood, early help and much more.
Further information
Shropshire’s SEN and disability strategy for children and young people aged 0-25’s vision is to see Shropshire children and young people with SEN be happy, healthy and safe and able to achieve their full potential, with support from a strong partnership between families, the voluntary sector and service commissioners.
