Report highlights “stark disparity” in preparation for adulthood provision for young people with and without EHC plan

Although local areas are working hard to improve support for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a number of “systemic challenges” are limiting their ability to provide strong preparation for adulthood (PfA) arrangements, a report by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned.

The report, published today (16 December), highlighted a “stark disparity” in PfA provision for young people with and without an education, health and care (EHC) plan, noting, for example, that those without an EHC plan are often not able to benefit from supported internship arrangements. 

The report also warned that too many young people with SEND face a “cliff edge” in health support as they reach 18, with health services often not involved in planning for their transition to adult life.

To conduct the study, the organisations visited six local area partnerships, and surveyed more than 2,000 children and young people, parents, carers and practitioners on employment, independent living, community inclusion and health.

Looking at employment, Ofsted and the CQC warned that local areas are contending with a shortage of training providers and employers that can meet the needs of children and young people with SEND, or match their aspirations.

The report noted that although supported internships offer “positive experiences” for young people with an EHC plan, take-up from young people was often hampered because the EHC plan would end when they entered employment after the supported internship.

On independent living, the watchdogs noted: “local area partnerships are committed to helping young people with SEND to live more independently. Despite this, we consistently heard that not having enough specialist residential and supported living accommodation is a challenge.”

Looking at community inclusion, the report observed a “range of offers” for families to support their children with SEND in the community.

However, it warned that more opportunities are needed due to increasing numbers of children and young people with SEND – observing gaps in provision across local areas, particularly in more rural areas. 

On health, Ofsted and the CQC found that children’s health services often waited “too long” to initiate transition to adult health services, and that this was particularly the case for mental health services.

The report noted: “Young people receive limited support during this transition, either because no equivalent service is available or because of capacity issues in adult mental health services.

“There is a requirement to support children and young people with an EHC plan up to the age of 25. However, some of the support that they rely on, such as mental health services, ends abruptly before that. The goodwill of clinicians means that some young people do receive ongoing care. However, the majority wait for longer than they should before being seen by adult services if they are eligible for support, and therefore do not receive a seamless transition.”

Outlining areas for improvement, Ofsted and the CQC made the following key recommendations for relevant government departments and organisations:

• developing a national EHC plan template that includes PfA, so it is considered at the earliest possible stage, as well as national guidance to ensure there is a transitional period of support when an EHC plan ends;
• continuing to increase the number of supported internships on offer for young people with SEND and expanding access to these opportunities, supported by a national campaign to encourage more employers to provide opportunities for young people with SEND;
• strengthening national guidance on transitions from children’s to adult health services;
• addressing conflicting responsibilities and gaps across social care, education and health-related provision, and creating a national set of standards outlining clear responsibilities for these different organisations;
• addressing the national shortage of high-quality specialist residential and supported living accommodation;
• ensuring all EHC plans consistently and accurately specify the health support that should be available at different stages of a child’s life as they reach adulthood.

Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, said: “It’s vital that children and young people with SEND receive the right support to help them reach their full potential as they prepare for adulthood. So I am very concerned that longstanding challenges across the SEND system are preventing local areas from improving support for some of our most vulnerable young people. It is particularly worrying that children waiting for an EHC plan are not receiving the level of support they need.

“But there are reasons to be positive too. Many local areas are developing solutions to the challenges they face and improving support for young people at the earliest possible stage. I hope this report, and its examples of good practice, can help government and partners across health, education and social care to deliver improvements for children with SEND at the earliest opportunity.”

Lucy Harte, Deputy Director for Multi-Agency Operations at the CQC, said: “It is clear that many people are working tirelessly to provide excellent support for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).   

“We found that partnerships have the greatest impact when they work together with children and families at the earliest opportunities on the critical transition to adulthood.  

“However, this report also lays bare the reality that too many young people with SEND are not getting the support they need.”

She added: “Our joint report makes a number of recommendations including strengthening national guidance on transitions from children’s to adult health services and addressing the conflicting responsibilities and gaps across social care, education and health-related provision.   

“Addressing these challenges cannot happen in silos and all organisations involved must work closely together to make sure that the benefits are felt by each child and young person who relies on this crucial support.”

The Department for Education (DfE) has been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson