Preparing for adulthood: a guide for young people in Surrey with additional needs or disabilities.

Welcome to your future!

Becoming an adult can be an exciting time in your life, but it can also be a time of worry.

It's normal to feel nervous about growing up. But it's important to remember that help is all around. That's why we created this booklet, to help you prepare for adulthood.

You can also download an Easy Read version:

Preparing for Adulthood booklet Easy Read (PDF)

What does 'Preparing for adulthood' mean?

Preparing for adulthood is about planning for your future and taking steps so that you can enjoy a healthy and happy life. We want to help you reach your full potential and live as independently as possible.

This booklet is for young people aged 14 to 25 with additional needs or disabilities, and their parents or carers.

In this booklet you'll find advice on:

Further education and employment
Referrals to social care services
How to access benefits or financial support
Living as healthily as possible
Being a part of your community
Independent living, including transport and housing

So, let's begin!

What to think about, and when!

Take a look at our helpful timeline below, to discover the things you may want to think about on your journey to adulthood.

We've also included information on the support available at each stage, and where to find it.

Age: Year	Things to Plan
13 to 14: Year 9	Talk with your school SEND support teams about full-time education or work-based learning opportunities when you are 16 and older Begin to consider Transition planning with your social worker – services and support that you may require when you are an adult Talk to your GP about adult health and/ or mental health services and arrangements for post-18
14 to 15: Year 10	Check with your GP that all your additional needs and/ or disability diagnosis is recorded on your medical record For those with a Learning Disability, ask your GP or School Nurse about being added to the Learning Disability Register From age 14, people signed onto the Learning Disability Register are entitled to an Annual Health Check Consider a referral to the Transition Team in Adult Social Care if you are eligible
15 to 16: Year 11	Assessment for Transition Team, Adult Social Care, eligibility to take place Request an Adult Continuing Health Care Assessment, if needed, from your GP or allocated social worker If accommodation is required, complete an application with your local Housing Options Team to sign onto the local Housing Register Consider applying for Access to Work, if starting a job, to check what support you may be able to receive Finalise plan with you school SEND teams and involved professionals, for moving to your post-16 education or work-based learning setting Think about beginning to travel independently and support for travelling to your education setting, with discount cards or Surrey County Council Travel Assistance
16 to 17: Year 12	Apply for Travel Assistance, if needed, on the Surrey County Council website Parents and carers to get advice about Deputyship and Appointeeship from your social worker or involved professional Consider options for employment or training when you turn 18 with your education/training provider and SEND support Talk with your doctor/social worker about post-18 health support available and the options for accessing these
17 to 18: Year 13	Formal review of your Education, Health, and Care plan with your social worker and involved professionals Apply for Travel Assistance, if needed, on the Surrey County Council website If you don't already have one, look into setting up a personal bank account Seek advice regarding Benefits and Grant applications – online with the Department for Work and Pensions or ask your social worker If you want to apply for university, use UCAS to help with your application and possible support you can receive such as Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
19 to 25: Young adults	Apply for Travel Assistance, if needed, on the Surrey County Council website Review your ongoing support with your involved professionals and education/training setting and adjust if necessary – such as social care, Access to Work, Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) Consider job applications, work experience, or further study – use the National Careers Service or Job Centres for advice about getting work

Glossary

Preparing for adulthood can seem complicated, so we want to try and make it as easy as possible for you.

As you read this guide, you may come across some words or phrases that you don't understand or recognise. To help you, we've created this list of important words and phrases, and what they mean.

Aspiration

A hope or ambition of achieving something, such as your future employment, social, or independence goals.

Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan

This describes a child or young person's special educational needs and disability and the help they will get to meet those needs. It also includes any health and care provision that is needed. EHC plans are for children and young people aged 0-25, who need more support than their school or other setting can provide.

Housing Options Team

A team local to you that can offer advice and support about housing to those over the age of 18.

Ordinarily Available Provision

Ordinarily Available Provision is special educational support that is ordinarily provided by your school or education setting.

School SEND Support

Additional support provided by a school for children and young people with additional needs and disabilities (or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), to help achieve their outcomes or learning objectives that have been set by the school.

SENCo

A Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator within a school who is responsible for assessing, planning, and monitoring the progress of children or young people who have additional needs and disabilities (or SEND).

SEND Case Worker/ Officer

A key contact for families and young people who have an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan, working with schools, partners and other professionals across the education, health, and care sectors.

Social Care

Personal care and other practical assistance for children, young people, and adults who need extra support because of an illness or disability.

Social Worker

A professional who works with families and individuals to assess their needs and wishes, help them make changes, organise support, and make referrals to other services that are able to offer support.

Transition Planning

A process which helps to understand what you want to achieve as you move into adult life, and the support that you will need to live independently and achieve your goals. This can cover aspects in your life such as education, employment, health, housing, transport, and leisure activities.

Transition Team

An Adult Social Care (ASC) team who may be able to support young people who have an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan, and a diagnosed disability (learning, physical, sensory impairment, or autism) prepare for their adult life. They can offer advice and guidance as you become an adult.

UCAS

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, which supports young people making post-18 choices by providing information, advice, and guidance to help with progressing to university, college, or a degree apprenticeship.

Vocational Provision

A type of education or training that involves more practical activities to prepare you for work and gain the skills for a certain profession, such as a plumber, hairdresser, or cook.

Year 9 Transition Review

A meeting held in Year 9, usually at your school, for children and young people with an Education, Health, and Care (EHC). The meeting focuses on planning your transition into adulthood, and will involve the people who are involved with your support during this process (such as your social worker, parents / carers, or teacher).

Education and training

What happens when I finish school?

Compulsory school ends at 16 years old, but all young people must remain in education, employment or training until the age of 18. Remaining in full-time education can help you improve your independence, get further training for your chosen career, and develop friendships with like-minded people.

You could:

Participate in full-time education (known as a study programme) at a college, school, or with a training provider.
Take up an apprenticeship, traineeship, pre-supported internship, or supported internship.
Go into full-time employment or volunteering (of 20 hours or more per week), if combined with accredited part-time education or training.

Where can I study?

You can study at a variety of places and in a variety of ways, depending on your level of study and future aspirations, such as:

Maintained and independent mainstream schools and academies maintained and special schools and academies, and specialist post-16 independent colleges may offer courses for all young people, including those with additional needs. Mainstream school and academy sixth forms will mostly focus on academic subjects, whilst special schools and colleges help with learning life skills.
General Further Education (GFE) colleges which offer mainstream and supported learning courses. These are mostly vocational type courses, and can include working with animals, gardening, and brickwork.
Sixth form colleges, offering a wide range of A levels, BTECs Level 2 and 3, T level courses Level 3.
Vocational provision provided through the Local Authority.

You can find a list of local providers of post-16 education in Surrey and details about the levels of study available, in the Transition Guide to Local Post-16 Education Options.

Supporting your next steps

Your school and SEND teams will make sure that you experience a smooth transition to college, training or employment.

Planning for adulthood starts in the earliest years, however, at your Year 9 Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan Review (Transition Review Meeting) there will be a greater focus on your aspirations and planning for your future post-16.

If you have an EHC plan, you will have a review meeting every year throughout your time at school or college, to check the support you receive is still appropriate and effective.

At your Year 9 transition review you will receive information about Preparing for Adulthood, and be supported with creating outcomes which will help you achieve your future aims and aspirations. This will include:

Your next steps for your education, employment, and training.
What your goal, hopes, and wishes (aspirations) are for your future.
Becoming more independent, including where you will want to live.
Being part of your community (friendships, sport and leisure).
Qualifications and skills you will need to achieve your goals.
How to stay healthy, including a review of factors relating to your health.

There will be an opportunity to discuss these with trusted adults around you before the meeting. The outcomes you decide can now be linked into the EHC plan, so you can clearly see how your future aspirations are recorded within the document.

The ways that your school can help you to prepare for moving to college, sixth form, an apprenticeship, or other form of work-based learning, can include:

Taster sessions at colleges or sixth forms.
Discussions between the lead officers for young people with additional needs and disabilities/SENCOs at each provider to make sure your needs are understood.
Events held by the SEND Post-16 Team and Transition Team. Details can be found on the Local Offer Directory.
Link Courses at college before leaving school. These are to assist in transition planning, vocational tasting and shared understanding of need.

You can also use the National Careers Service to get advice about your career or future ambitions. This service allows young people to chat on a webchat or on the phone to an advisor, who can help you with your career, learning, and training choices.

Support for additional needs if you have an Education, Health, and Care plan

If you have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, this will be with you until you achieve your outcomes, start a course of study at level 4 (higher education) or above, leave education or training permanently, or turn 25 years old (whichever happens first).

The support outlined in your plan must be fulfilled by your education provider, such as your college. Annual reviews will continue to take place to make sure that you are being supported and that you are on track to reach your goals.

Support for additional needs if you do not have an Education, Health, and Care plan

A young person identified as having additional needs has the right to support. This includes if your needs can be fully met without having an EHC plan. If you have additional needs, you will have a support plan (sometimes known as an Individual Support Plan (ISP)) at school to support your learning and this must be regularly monitored to ensure the support is right for you. From the age of 14, your aspirations for the future will become a greater focus point each time your Individual Support Plan is reviewed.

When you arrive at college, your needs will be assessed whilst you undertake your course. The college can implement additional support and provision that you may help you. Following a period of assessment, someone acting on your behalf may request, with your consent, an EHC plan needs assessment if needed.

Getting your Maths and English qualifications

Maths and English are often essential skills for employment, so it should be a priority to get qualifications in both.

Achieving a qualification in Maths and English may be a requirement to move onto other courses. So, if you have not achieved a GCSE in Maths and English (above a grade 4) at the end of Year 11, there are courses available in colleges to help you gain a pre-GCSE or GCSE qualification.

If you're not in education, employment or training

If you are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the National Careers Service can provide advice and help you make decisions about learning, training, and work opportunities that are local to you. Their service offers personalised advice and information for those who have additional needs or a disability, helping you to choose your next steps in education, training, or work.

Targeted Youth Support

Surrey County Council's Targeted Youth Support (TYS) also works with young people who need support for a variety of needs, in different areas of their life. They work with young people between the ages of 11 and 18 years and parents/ carers, to provide support towards positive changes at home, school, or in the community.

Some of the areas that Targeted Youth Support can focus on, are:

Managing feelings and emotions
Building positive family relationships
Support with attending education or training
Preventing criminal and anti-social behaviours
Support for parenting teenagers (including one-to-one and group programmes)

If you feel that you would benefit from support through Targeted Youth Support, you can ask for help through Surrey's Children's Single Point of Access (SPA) to discuss a referral, or ask a professional working with your family. For more information on targeted youth support please access the Targeted Youth Support page on the Surrey County Council website.

If you want to go to university

The UCAS website has information and advice for students with additional needs and disabilities who want to progress to higher education once gaining a Level 3 qualification, including access arrangements and financial options.

Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability. You can find more financial information in the Benefits and Finance section of this booklet.

Note: Higher Education is funded through the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice does not apply to students in Higher Education.

If you want to keep learning

Your learning doesn't need to stop at 18 years old. When you become an adult you may want to continue to learn new skills and gain knowledge.

Surrey Adult Learning provides inclusive opportunities to promote learning, health and wellbeing. They also run a range of learning programmes, including Surrey Supported Learning, with centres across the west of the county. The Supported Learning team offers an entry-level programme of courses for adult learners with learning disabilities, which are designed to improve and develop skills areas such as independence, confidence, and employability.

The Adult Education Centre at East Surrey College offers a programme of Life Skills across the east of the county, with courses from Entry Level 1 to Level 1. These are designed to help people with additional needs and disabilities reach their potential and enhance their skills and knowledge, to progress onto independent living and employment. There are a range of courses on offer which provide opportunities to gain skills in areas such as cooking and healthy living, organisation, employability, English and Maths.

Find out more on the Courses for Adults with Learning Disabilities page of the Surrey County Council website.

To discover further options for adult learning, visit the Other Adult Learning Opportunities page of the Surrey County Council website.

Useful Resources

EHCP Processes: Preparing for Adulthood and Post-16 a Family Voice Surrey YouTube video which answers parents' and carers' questions about the Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plan processes when preparing for adulthood.
Transition Guide to Local Post-16 Education Options provides information about colleges, courses, learning providers and vocational courses available in Surrey, and details the levels of qualifications offered.
Schools Admissions Guidance for Young People (Surrey County Council website) – describes the process of applying to post-16 provision when you have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. Young people without an EHC plan should apply using the admissions process of the post-16 education provider they have chosen.
Careers Advice in Surrey (Surrey County Council website) – Surrey County Council's User Voice and Participation team offer careers advice including post-16 education and training, employment and volunteering, and information about education and training providers.

Employment

All young people have to be in some form of education, employment or training until they are 18. However, this does not mean you need to stay in school or college.

Instead, you can take part in work-based learning through an apprenticeship, supported internship or work experience, such as a traineeship.

How do I find a supported internship or apprenticeship?

At your Year 9 Transition Review Meeting, the discussion will begin about what you may like to do when you are older. The qualifications or skills you will need and where you can study, will be part of your transition plan.

You may not know what you want to do in the future, when you are in Year 9. This is ok, as your transition plan is ongoing and can be added to in Year 10, 11, 12 and 13.

Supported internships

Supported Internships are for young people aged 16 to 24, who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, who want to move into employment and need extra support to do so.

A Supported Internship is a study programme for young people with additional needs and disabilities, that mostly takes place in the workplace. The programme is unpaid and usually lasts for one year, including a work placement that lasts for at least 6 months. A Support Internship is a helpful first step from education into the workplace, while gaining skills you need to get a paid job.

The Education Provider offering the study programme with the internship placement will be named in your EHC plan. Supported Internships also include support from a qualified job coach.

You can apply for supported internships through your school or college. To find out more about supported internships, have a look at the National Careers Service website or talk to one of their advisors on the phone or through their webchat.

Traineeships

A traineeship is a skills development programme for 16 to 24-year-olds with an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan. It allows you to develop your skills whilst getting work experience. A traineeship can last from six weeks up to one year, and can be created to meet your needs and prepare you for what employers are looking for. These work as an ideal stepping-stone to an apprenticeship.

You can search live vacancies within Surrey on the Find a Traineeship, which lists opportunities available for young people who want to gain work experience and skills.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships combine work with study, and they can take between 1 and 5 years to complete, depending on the level. They may include a work-based, academic or combined qualification, or a professional qualification relevant to the industry. There is a wide range of apprenticeships available to suit different skills and passions, and the training provider will offer support for any additional needs.

To start an apprenticeship, you need to be 16 or over, live in England, and not be in full-time education. As an apprentice, you are an employee with a salary, where you learn, gain experience in the workplace, and get paid.

Find an Apprenticeship allows you to search for local opportunities which become available throughout the year, so it is important to check regularly.

Will my EHC plan be taken into account?

On supported internships and where an EHC plan is still required to provide additional support for apprenticeships and traineeships, the education or training provider will be named on your EHC plan. They will be responsible for meeting your needs, helping you achieve your goals, holding annual reviews, and more.

There are a selection of Preparing for Adulthood tools and resources on the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) website which can give you more information about employment and planning for your future.

Help in getting a job

Often work-based learning, such as a supported internship or apprenticeship, will lead to having a paid job with the same employer. If it hasn't, there is information online and through careers advisors in college or school which can help you to find the right jobs to apply for. Find a list of available support in the Useful Resources section of this guide.

There are also Surrey Opportunities/Jobs Fairs, which are events that run throughout the county for students in Surrey to meet with training providers, employers, and companies, to learn about the options they could have after leaving college.

You may also be eligible for Access to Work funding, which can help you get or stay in work if you have a physical or mental health condition, or disability. The support you get will depend on your needs but could include a grant to help pay towards practical support with your work, or support with managing your mental health at work. Find out more on the GOV.UK website.

Useful Resources

Access to Work (GOV.UK page) information about support you can get if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability, to help you get or stay in work (such as a grant to help pay for practical support or managing mental health at work, depending on your needs).
Active Prospects a charitable organisation enabling people with learning disabilities, physical and mental health needs, and autistic people to live full and aspiring lives. Their Aspiring Prospects Life Skills Programme for young people aged between 17 and 24, teaches life skills in the lens of employment and employability.
EmployAbility (Surrey Choices) helps to find work placements, training, volunteer opportunities and paid work for people who have autism or a learning, physical, or sensory disability.
Find a job a GOV.UK resource for general, location-based job search.
Disability Employment Advisors/ Work Coach (JobCentre Plus website) speak to a Work Coach/Advisor at your local JobCentre Plus to get help finding a job. They are trained to support people with additional needs and disabilities find work or gain new skills for a job.
Future Choices (Surrey Choices) next steps for young people with additional needs and disabilities aged 16 to 24, designed to be a solid foundation for young people as they transition to work and independent living.
National Careers Service (GOV.UK) provides careers information, advice and guidance. Can offer support in making decisions on learning, training and work at all stages in your career.
Work and Health programme (GOV.UK) a scheme that helps people find and keep a job, where their disability can make it hard to work. Find out more about the scheme through your local Job Centre. You do not need to be getting benefits to apply.

Social Care

Checklist

Age 14

Start to consider transition planning – needs and services that may be required in the future.
Ensure your record has clear detailed up-to-date diagnosis information.
Attend annual review.
Planning for Preparation for Adulthood work to commence, to be reflected in support plans and activities moving forward.

Age 16

Parents/ carers to obtain advice regarding Deputyship and Appointeeship.

Age 17

Follow up contact to be made with the Transition Team to confirm case allocation.
If Deputyship is needed – papers to be prepared at least 3 months before your eighteenth birthday.
Formal review of EHC plan – supported by additional needs colleagues, involved professionals, and allocated Social Worker.

Children's Services

Children's Services have a legal duty to support children and families who are at risk of harm or who need significant additional support to meet a child's health and development needs. If you have additional needs or disabilities, Children's Services may be able to offer your family additional support.

How can I request a Children's Services assessment?

If you feel that your family would benefit from help from Children's Services, you will need to use the Children's Single Point of Access to contact Children's Services and tell them why. Contact details can be found on the Surrey County Council website. A professional involved with your family can also make a referral to Children's Services, either at your request or if they feel it would help your family.

Adult Social Care (ASC)

If you receive social care support from Children's Services, you may need some support to continue when you turn 18.

Local authorities have a duty under the Care Act 2014 to provide or arrange services that help to prevent people developing care and support needs, or delay people deteriorating to the point where they would need ongoing care and support. For young people to receive support from the ASC teams, you need to meet the eligibility threshold under the Care Act (2014).

How do I request an assessment from Adult Services?

If you, or somebody you care for, has an EHC plan and a diagnosis of Learning Disability, Autism, Physical Disability, or a Sensory Impairment, then Surrey County Council's Transition Team may be able to provide assessment and support.

If you think you, or somebody you care for, meets these criteria then you can ask your Children's Social Worker, Children's Occupational Therapist or SEND Case Officer to make a referral to the Transition Team. This referral should happen when the learner is in Year 9.

The Helping young people with disabilities prepare for adulthood page on the Surrey County Council website provides information about the Transition Team and how they can support you.

If you do not have an EHC plan, or one of the listed diagnoses, you can find out if you might be eligible for Adult Social Care support by accessing Adult Social Care Online on the Surrey County Council website. This tool has two online checklists - one to assess the needs of an adult who is struggling, and also a carer's checklist if they are looking after an adult. These will take only ten minutes to complete. They can be completed for yourself or on behalf of someone else.

There is also an online financial assessment to check if there is likely to be a charge for social care support. This takes twenty minutes to complete, and you'll need a recent bank statement to hand. You'll have the option of either keeping the details and results to yourself for information only – or registering fully and sharing with Surrey County Council Adult Social Care.

If you would prefer, you can contact Adult Social Care directly to discuss your Adult Social Care Needs.

Telephone: 0300 200 1005

SMS: 07527 182 861 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)

Email: asc.infoandadvice@surreycc.gov.uk

Textphone (via Text Relay): 18001 0300 200 1005

VRS: Sign Language Video Relay Service

For emergency situations, outside the standard line's hours.

Telephone: 01483 517898

Email: edt.ssd@surreycc.gov.uk

Textphone (via Text Relay): 18001 01483 517898

SMS: 07800000388 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)

Learning Disability and Autism Team

This team is contactable for people aged 18 plus who have the appearance of social care needs and have a primary diagnosis of learning disability and/ or autism, but do not have an Education Health and Care plan. Any funded services are chargeable, but they can also provide information, advice and signposting.

To access this service you can complete an online assessment or speak to the Adult Social Care Information and Advice Service.

Looked after children (LAC)

For 'looked after' young people, there is an established route (or 'pathway') through to the Care Leavers Service from the age of 16. You will be allocated a personal advisor who will help you with making decisions about your next steps, such as continuing in education, or getting a job. The Care Leavers Service can be contacted on duty.deskleavingcare@surreycc.gov.uk.

For 'looked after' young people with Adult Social Care needs, your Adult Social Care team will work jointly with a personal advisor from the Care Leavers Service.

Support for parents and carers

A parent or carer may be eligible for a carers assessment, which will look at what they do to look after their child's health and care needs, the support that the council could offer, and potential support from other local services. This can be particularly important when their child becomes an adult, as the young person's lifestyle may change (i.e. no longer being in full time education), which could affect the caring responsibilities.

If you are caring for a child under the age of 18:

A Needs Assessment by Children's Services (through C-SPA) will look at the needs of a child under 18 years old, to see if they require specialist support. This will also take into account the needs of the parents/ carers and other members of the family.
Your child's school or childcare provider can do an Early Help Assessment with your family. As part of this assessment, an Action Plan will be created where identified support services can be matched to your needs. Regular meetings can be held to monitor how the Action Plan is helping, these are called 'Team around the Family' (TAF) meetings. A representative from all the services you engage with can be invited to take part, with your consent.

If you are caring for a person over 18 years of age:

A carers Assessment by Adult Social Care will find out what support you need in your role as a carer. A checklist is available via the Surrey County Council Parent carers page,to determine if you are likely to be eligible for support.
A Transition process takes place with disabled children who receive health and social care support from Children's Services and need to continue receiving this support from Adult Social Care. The needs of the carer will also form part of the assessment.

It is advised to register with your GP as a carer so they can monitor your own health and refer you to appropriate services (more information and a copy of the registration form can be found on the Action for Carers Surrey webpage).

Support can be offered directly by Surrey County Council (when assessed as being eligible), or through organisations that are voluntary or funded by the local authority. More information can be found on the Support for Carers page on the Surrey County Council website, as well as additional links in the Useful Resources section.

What can I do if I have a safeguarding concern about a child or young person

If you are a child or young person being abused or neglected, or an adult who is concerned that a child or young person is at risk of harm, you should contact the Children's Single Point of Access (C-SPA).

Telephone: 0300 470 9100

Email: cspa@surreycc.gov.uk

Text line: 07527 182861

In an emergency, you should call 999.

What can I do if I have a safeguarding concern about an adult?

If you are concerned that a vulnerable adult is at risk of harm, you should complete an Adult Safeguarding Referral online form or call Surrey County Council's adult safeguarding team on 0300 470 9100.

More information about how to get in touch, including Textphone, email and Sign Language Video Relay are available on the Safeguarding Adults webpage.

In an emergency, you should still contact the police using 999.

Useful resources

Adult Social Care aims to empower people with complex or severe special educational needs or disabilities, by providing them with services that increase their wellbeing and independence. More information and their contact details can be found on the Surrey County Council website. Phone: 0300 200 1005, Out of hours emergency phone: 01483 517 898, Contact Centre SMS (TEXT): 07527 182 861 Email: asc.infoandadvice@surreycc.gov.uk.
Helping young people with disabilities prepare for adulthood (Surrey County Council website) pages provided by our Transition team, who work to support young people with disabilities when moving from services for children to services for adults.
Support for Carers (Surrey County Council website) provides information about finance, assessments, and local support for carers.
Supporting you as you Become an Adult (Surrey County Council website) an information guide for young people with disabilities that shows how your journey into adulthood with the Transition Team might look.
Transition Information Network a Council for Disabled Children specialist network which provides targeted information and resources for disabled young people, families, and professionals about transitioning into adulthood through online resources, publications, and events.

Health and Wellbeing

Checklist

Age 14

Make sure your GP records are up to date
Make sure that you know your date of birth and address, and write down your NHS number and keep it in a safe space
For those with a Learning Disability, ask your GP about being added to the Learning Disability Register
If eligible, attend your Annual Health Check

Age 15

Where possible, get used to visiting the doctor's surgery on your own, perhaps starting with an Annual Health Check
Start to learn how to make a GP, dentist, or optician appointment, and then try to make the next one
If appropriate, discuss any Mental Capacity Act implications for you and your parent or carer with your Social Worker or Health Professional

Age 16

Talk through with your parent or carer any changes to your health care, along with your GP or lead professional, as you move into adulthood
Where possible and relevant, learn more about how your prescription process works

Staying healthy

Your doctor

It's a good idea to make sure that your medical records detail your additional need or disability, as your parent or carer may not always attend appointments with you in the future and the doctor may become more pivotal into adulthood.

Adult health services

Discussions about transition to adult health services should happen from age 14 onwards. Not all health services will be required on the journey towards adulthood.

Long term medical conditions will continue to be addressed but the service provider may change as you approach adulthood. Discuss with health professionals what services exist, who runs them and who is responsible for funding them from 18.

Different hospital departments do transition differently and at different times, although they should all follow the national guidelines for transition. Ask at your next hospital appointment about transition arrangements.

Children and Family Health Surrey

Children and Family Health Surrey is the Surrey wide NHS community health service for children and young people from birth up to 19 years of age and their parents and carers.

In partnership with Surrey County Council, they offer a range of free online parenting guides for families which have been written by childcare, education, and NHS health experts.

Visit the Children and Family Health Surrey website for more information, top tips and advice.

Immunisation service (for school-age children and young people)

The Immunisation team is responsible for the planning and delivery of the school-age immunisation programmes in Surrey.

Please visit the Immunisations page on the Children and Family Health Surrey website for more details.

School Nursing

The School Nursing team works across Surrey to promote physical health and emotional wellbeing in schools and in the community. Our Special School Nursing teams are based in the eight Severe Learning Disability Special Schools across Surrey, covering nursery to 19 years. Your School Nurse is there to help you with all sorts of physical and emotional wellbeing concerns that you might have – ask to speak to your School Nurse if you have any worries.

You can contact the school nursing service by calling the Surrey-wide 0-19 Advice Line on 01883 340 922. You can also use the text support service called Chat Health, which is a confidential school nurse messaging service for young people aged 11-19, by texting the number 07507 329 951.

Continuing Care and Continuing Healthcare

Our Continuing Care service provides specialist support and care for children who fulfil the criteria for NHS funded children's and young people's continuing healthcare because they require additional healthcare support at home and in the community.

If you have significant Continuing Care needs that are ongoing into adulthood, you may be eligible for NHS Adult Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funded support. Your eligibility for NHS Adult Continuing Healthcare will usually be assessed by a health professional or social worker before your 18^th birthday, to allow enough time to complete the assessment and for any discussions to take place about the care that you are entitled to.

If this has not happened and you think you may be eligible for NHS continuing healthcare, you should contact Surrey's NHS Continuing Healthcare Team:

Phone 0300 561 1444
Email syheartlandsccg.chcreferrals@nhs.net

To find out more information, the Department of Health have produced a What is NHS Continuing Healthcare booklet or, alternatively, visit Surrey County Council's Continuing Healthcare webpage.

Mental capacity

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over.

As well as decisions about day-to-day things like what to wear or what to buy for the weekly shop, it covers serious life-changing decisions like whether to have major surgery.

When someone is judged not to have the capacity to make a specific decision, any decision taken for them must be in their best interests. Consulting with others is a vital part of best interest decision-making, and the MCA requires the involvement of parents/ carers and family members.

Surrey Children's Disability Register (SCDR)

The Surrey Children's Disability Register (SCDR) is a voluntary register for children and young people, from birth to 18 years old who have a disability. Being registered on the Surrey Children's Disability Register helps Surrey County Council to identify and plan for the needs of children with disabilities and their families. Your parents or carer can register you by contacting the Register Administrator at SCDR@surreycc.gov.uk.

Being on the register will also mean that you get told about short break opportunities, funded by Surrey County Council, through the Surrey Short Breaks for Disabled Children Team.

Being on the register also includes access to the Max Card, the UK's leading discount card for foster families and families of children with additional needs.

Learning Disability Register

If you have a learning disability, you can get extra support when visiting your doctor if you have added your name to the Learning Disability Register. By joining the learning disability register, your doctor's surgery can make reasonable adjustments when providing healthcare. Your doctor can help you to check if you are on the Learning Disability Register and, if not, they can arrange for your name to be added.

Adults and young people aged 14 or over with a learning disability who are on the doctor's practice Learning Disability Register, should be invited by their doctor to come for an annual health check. During an annual health check a GP or nurse carries out a general physical examination, assesses emotional well-being and behaviour, asks about lifestyle and diet, reviews current medication, and reviews involvement of other health professionals.

Mencap and the NHS both have helpful webpages that explain more about the Learning Disability Register and Annual Health Checks. There is also an Easy Read guide that you can access on the Surrey County Council website called Getting Ready for my Health Check.

Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health services

Mindworks Surrey

Mindworks Surrey is the emotional wellbeing and mental health service for children, young people, and families. It offers a range of advice, support, and treatment provided in partnership by the NHS and voluntary sector providers.

Call the Access and Advice team: 0300 222 5755 or go to the Mindworks website.

Children and Young Peoples' (CYP) Haven

The CYP Haven is a safe space for children and young people aged 10 to18 where you can talk about worries and mental health in a confidential, friendly and supportive environment. They can help you through talking about what the issue is, find ways to ensure you get the right information, advice on coping strategies and can help you access the right service.

The CYP Havens are now open in Epsom, Redhill, Shepperton and Ash. They are run by the Surrey County Council, Youth Offer and User Voice and Participation teams working alongside partners in each centre from the Surrey Wellbeing Partnership who include staff from Barnardos, YMCA, Matrix, and Learning Space.

There is also a support line, which is open Monday to Friday, 3.30 to 7.30pm, and Sunday 1 to 4pm (except bank holidays). Call 01483519436

CYP Haven

Adult Mental Health Support

Surrey and Borders Partnership has Community and Mental Health Recovery Services (CMHRS) dedicated to helping people with severe or enduring mental ill-health back on the road to recovery. These services are for adults aged 18 to 64. If you would like to be referred to this service, please contact your GP.

The SABP website provides contact details of the local CMHRS teams, as well as further information about the specialist support that they can offer on matters such as eating disorders.

Mental Health Crisis

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, or is at risk of suicide, it's important to get help quickly.

SHOUT is a 24/7 confidential and free text line where you can share your worries and access support. The number to text is: 85258.

The Crisis Mental Health Helpline (SABP) is a telephone service offering 24/7 support to those who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Lines are available to children, young people, and their families in Surrey. Call: 0800 915 4644.

Call NHS 111 or visit your local A&E department at any time if you feel unable to keep yourself safe. If you feel your life is at risk, call 999.

Safe Havens Surrey provide out of hours care if you or someone you care for are experiencing a crisis. They are staffed by mental health practitioners and two trained Safe Haven workers and provide a safe alternative to A&E. Safe Havens are open evenings, weekends and bank holidays and are located in Redhill, Aldershot, Epsom, Guildford and Woking. You can drop in and do not need to make an appointment. There are also online/ virtual safe havens so you do not have to leave home.

There is more information about support available for those experiencing a mental health crisis on the Surrey County Council website.

The Healthy Surrey website has further information about support and services available for children and young people, and services for adults, if you are struggling with your emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Friends, relationships and the community

The transition from being a child to a young adult who has left school or college should be an exciting time. But it can be difficult to leave behind your usual routines, friendships and activities that attending school and college brings. From Year 9 onwards, you should be supported to plan ahead and prepare for adulthood, which includes thinking about how you would like to spend your free time.

There are various organisations and services that provide social groups and activities in Surrey. Connect to Support Surrey (formerly Surrey Information Point) has a directory of these services that you can filter by category and/ or location. This directory can help you and your family get the most out of what is on offer in your local community, including ways to meet new people and taking part in sport and leisure activities.

All organisations should make reasonable adjustments to be inclusive to people with additional needs and disabilities. The Local Offer Directory has many sports and arts clubs listed in the Leisure category. Use a keyword that describes your interest to find out what is available in Surrey.

Support for young adults with complex needs

For young people with complex needs, support services can help with access to leisure and social activities in their local community.

Day services in Surrey are available through social care services for adults with complex or severe learning or physical disabilities. There are lots of day centres, groups, and clubs across Surrey that will help you get out and about, meet other people and try something new.

Day centres often run activities and lunch clubs, and some can also provide a mini-bus to pick you up and take you home again. Have a look at the Day Centres webpage on the Surrey County Council website to find a range of day centres near you or contact your local borough or district council.

The Surrey Learning Disability Partnership Board and Autism Partnership Board bring together people with learning disabilities and/ or autism, their families, professionals, and voluntary organisations. The Learning Disability and Autism Information Hub, on the Surrey County Council website, helps to keep you informed about services and events in Surrey. Toolkits and resources are available on topics ranging from voluntary opportunities to information about helping people in Surrey stay healthy and well.

Community Teams for People with Learning Disabilities

The Community Teams for People with Learning Disabilities carry out assessments of people's health and social needs. The team can help you gain access to a range of services such as health, education, day activities, respite care, and employment opportunities.

Find the contact details of these teams on the Community Teams for People with Learning Disabilities page of the Surrey and Borders Partnership website.

Learning Disability Liaison Nurses

There is a specialist learning disability nursing service for GPs that aims to help identify people who have a learning disability and provide them with the additional support they need, such as helping to arrange appointments and accessing easy read resources.

The specialist nurses can be contacted Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You can find their contact details on the Learning Disability Liaison Nurses section of the Surrey and Borders Partnership website.

Useful resources

Action for Carers a registered charity and the main carer support network in Surrey, helping unpaid carers by providing emotional and practical support, information, advice.
Carers UK provides carers in Surrey access to a wide range of digital tools that may help make their caring situation easier. You can access the digital tools for free, using the Access Code: DGTL3562
Complex Mental Health Needs Teams (Mindworks) these community teams work across Surrey and are made up of health and social care professionals to promote good mental health and provide assessment and treatment to children and young people, up to the age of 18 with a mental health condition. Find the contact details for your local community team on the Mindworks website.
CYP Haven the CYP Haven is a safe space for children and young people aged 10-18 to go to talk about worries and mental health in a confidential, friendly and supportive environment. There are Havens in Guildford, Epsom, Staines and Redhill.
Family Information Directory (Surrey County Council website) a directory to help you find registered childcare, family activities, holiday clubs, and support groups near you.
Healthy Surrey supported by the Health and Wellbeing Board, this website helps you find self-care information, such as becoming more active and mental wellbeing support, as well as signposting to local services available to you as a Surrey resident.
Local Offer Directory can be used to search for inclusive sports clubs, theatre groups and events in your local area.
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.
NHS Flu Vaccination (NHS website) available for free to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance.
Short Breaks for disabled children (Surrey County Council website) services which give children aged 5 to 18 the opportunity to try new activities and have a break from their carer, and their carer gets some respite from their caring responsibilities.
Surrey-wide 0 to 19 Advice Line (Children and Family Health Surrey) families with children from 0 to 19 years old can call the Surrey-wide line, which provides support on all aspects of child health, development, and parenting. Phone number: 01883 340922.

Benefits and Finance

Things to do when you turn 17

Set up your bank account
Apply for benefits

Things for your parents/ carers to do when you turn 17

Consider Appointeeship arrangements if required
Consider Deputyship arrangements if required

What is a Personal Budget?

A Personal Budget for additional needs and disabilities is money to pay for the support specified in your Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. It can include funds from the local authority for education and social care, and from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for health.

There are four ways you can use a Personal Budget.

An Arrangement or a Notional Budget, which means that the local authority, school or college looks after the Personal Budget for you.
Direct Payment, which means you receive money directly to manage all or part of the Personal Budget yourself. To receive a Direct Payment, first a social worker or family support worker must assess your needs.
A Third-Party Arrangement, which means that you choose someone else to manage the Personal Budget for you.
A mixture of some or all of these arrangements.

Direct Payments

Direct payments are one way of managing a Personal Budget, they are a choice and you do not have to accept one. You can choose whether this is the right way to manage your Personal Budget.

To receive a Direct Payment, a social worker or family support worker must assess your needs to establish that social care support is required. A Direct Payment can replace some, or all, of the services that your social worker or family support worker would otherwise arrange for you. The Direct Payment is based on your assessed needs. Children's Services do not assess a family's income to determine the level of the Direct Payment.

Disabled Facilities Grants

You could get a grant from your council if you're disabled and need to make changes to your home, such as widening doors or installing ramps.

A Disabled Facilities Grant won't affect any benefits you get. To find out more about Disabled Facilities Grants, visit the GOV.UK website.

Paying for residential care

If you feel permanent residential care would be for the best for yourself and family, and you have capital of more than £23,250, it is likely you will have pay for this without financial assistance from the council. You can discuss this further, by contacting Adult Social Care via the Surrey County Council website or calling the team on 0300 200 1005.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

a long term physical or mental condition or disability
difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition.

You can get PIP even if you're working, have savings, or are getting most other benefits. You can get PIP at the same time as all other benefits, except Armed Forces Independence Payment.

Eligibility

You can get Personal Independence Payment if all of the following apply to you:

you're 16 or over
you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
you have difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around
you expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started.

How to Claim

Call to start your claim.

Telephone: 0800 917 2222
Textphone: 0800 917 7777
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 917 2222

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. To find out more information about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and how to claim, visit the PIP page on the Gov.uk website or contact Citizens Advice.

Paying for Further Education

Courses in maths and English, up to GCSE level are usually free. Other further education courses are free until the age of 19, up to level 3. However, if you have an EHC plan, your course may be fully funded until you are 25 years old, if the course meets the targets outlined in your plan and the course is below level 4.

There are several other ways to help pay for further education or contribute towards the costs of further education, including:

16 to 19 Bursary Fund is available to students in receipt of disability benefits to help with the associated costs of education such as books, equipment or travel to school or college.
The Further education courses and funding page on Gov.uk outlines a range of funding accessible to young people studying a further education course, without an EHC plan.
Discretionary funds can sometimes be offered to students whose education will be impacted by financial deprivation, additional needs and disabilities (with no EHC plan) or some kind of hardship. You will need to contact your college directly, as each will have their own eligibility criteria and level of grant available.
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA). Those who require additional support and incur extra costs as a result of their disability, may be eligible for a Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Children and young people with additional needs or disabilities may be eligible for travel assistance to get to school or college. For more information, see the Transport section or visit the Surrey County Council School transport webpage.

Financial assistance and entitlements for carers

Some children and their carers will be eligible for financial assistance, including means-tested benefits and grants.

If you are unsure of what benefits you are entitled to, you can use the Benefits Calculator on the Gov.uk website.

Please find a list of available benefits and grants below:

Disability Living Allowance can be claimed on behalf of an eligible child under 16 years old.
Carer's Allowance can be claimed by carers, including parent carers, if your child is getting Disability Living Allowance and you meet the eligibility criteria.
Carer's Credit is used to top up National Insurance when you provide care for over 20 hours a week.
Parent Carer Grant are payments made to support parents who have a disabled child (under 18) not currently receiving services from Surrey County Council.
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It replaces Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for new applicants.
Council tax discount is used to ensure disabled residents do not have to pay more council tax if they require a larger property to meet their needs.

More information is provided about all of these benefits on the Action for Carers Surrey and Gov.uk websites.

Useful resources

Citizens Advice offers impartial and confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free. Their website has a helpful Debt and Money page which provides information about finance and budgeting.
Family Fund a charity whose aim is to make a difference to outcomes for disabled or seriously ill children and young people, and the lives of their families. Their resources can help you find where to go for support with money and benefits.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Descriptors Citizens Advice provides a table of activities, descriptors, and points, which a health professional will consider when determining whether you are entitled to PIP, at what rate, and for how long.
Services (GOV.UK) a webpage which includes information from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about benefits and support that you are able to apply for.
Surrey Welfare Rights provides welfare rights advice service within the county of Surrey, including an independent, impartial, and confidence service on benefits and community care.

Housing

Housing options for young people who need support

From Year 9 (age 13 to 14) onwards, when you start planning for your future, you should be given information by the SEND or Social Care teams about the support available to help with housing.

This includes guidance about signing on to housing register and associated eligibility criteria, benefits and funding available to support people with additional needs and disabilities to live independently, as well as personal budgets, community support, and technology to support independent living, when appropriate.

Independent living arrangements can be delivered:

in self-contained owner-occupied or rented accommodation.
in shared accommodation for people who may require a greater level of care and support and/ or prefer a group living environment, but are able to exercise a greater degree of choice and control over their daily lives than would be possible in a care home setting.

Independent living is based on individuals having a tenancy. They have the right to remain in their own home and change their support provider if they wish.

Accessing support

Surrey County Council's Adult Social Care team will do an assessment to find out if you are eligible for care and support, once you reach the age of 18. If you are not eligible, they will signpost you to relevant sources of support. A financial assessment will determine what (if any) contribution a family will need to make towards the cost of social care services.

The Transition Team can help a young person from the age of 14 to 25 to move from services for children to Adult Social Care services. They will create a support plan with you, which will describe how your allocated funding can be used to help you live independently. Find out more information about the Transition Team in the Social Care section of this booklet.

The Transition team will be able to advise young people on the Mental Capacity Act and where to find advocacy if necessary. You can find more information about Advocacy services in the Useful Resources section.

Finding somewhere to live

Some young people will continue to live with their families once they become an adult. Other young adults may be able to privately rent a place to live, with or without financial support from their family. In both cases, you can still ask Adult Social Care for an assessment of need, if support is required to live independently.

Allocating social housing to Surrey residents is the responsibility of the local borough or district council in which the person already lives. Some of the properties will be directly managed by the district or borough council, whereas others will be managed through housing associations. To join the housing register and to find out what types of housing are available in your area, you will need to contact your local Housing Options Team – individuals have to be aged 16 or over to join the housing register.

Housing Options Teams in Surrey

If you have eligible care and support needs, you may be able to access supported living schemes via Adult Social Care commissioned supported living services. Please see Surrey County Council's Guide for Independent Living for more information.

Being part of the community

Some young people with additional needs and disabilities will only need a small amount of support at home, and will spend the day at college or work. If this is not the case, support services should help young people to access leisure and social activities in their local community. This can help you to continue developing your skills and is good for your emotional wellbeing.

For more details about community opportunities that are available please search Connect to Support Surrey.

The User Voice and Participation Team at Surrey County Council facilitate the ATLAS network (formerly SEND Youth Advisors Surrey/ SYAS). ATLAS is a network if children and young people who have accessed any additional needs and disability service within Surrey.

The aim of the User Voice and Participation Team is to help change, shape, and develop the services using service user experience in a fun and creative way. There are two participation groups that meet in Woking and Epsom to discuss changes within the service and to ensure young people's voices are heard.

If you would like more information or to get involved with ATLAS, then please contact the team on ATLAS@surreycc.gov.uk or visit the User Voice and Participation Team website.

Useful resources

Housing Advice for Young People a Surrey County Council webpage which provides information, advice, and support for young people living in Surrey who are experiencing homelessness or having problems living at home.
Mencap provide easy read information about housing for people with learning disabilities. They also have a Learning Disability Helpline team for guidance and information about support that is available. Phone: 0808 808 1111, Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk, or fill in their online form.
Shared Lives (Surrey County Council website) – a scheme offering a housing option for individuals who require accommodation with care and support. They provide people with learning disabilities and/ or autism the opportunity to stay with a supportive family in a home environment.
Shelter provides information about a person's rights when they live in supported housing.

Transport

Travel assistance to school or college for students aged 16 to 25

Not all young people with special education needs or disabilities will need help travelling to training or school, but if you do, you may be able to get travel assistance.

We are clear that as young people with additional needs or disability approach adulthood, where travel assistance is appropriate it will be given to support your independence.

Whilst there will be some students that will continue to require a higher level of support, the ability to travel independently is seen as a vital life skill and we will work with you and your family. The council's transport policy aims to help those over 16 years of age to transition into adulthood, by exploring independent travel where possible.

The deadline date for applications does change slightly each year, and any application received after a final deadline date will mean that travel assistance cannot be guaranteed to be in place for September. Up-to-date travel assistance application timescales are published on the Transport section of the Surrey County Council website.

For full details, please read our travel assistance policies, also on the Surrey County Council website:

The following information applies to mainstream children and children with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.

Check your eligibility

Students aged 16 to 19-years-old

Most students aged 16 to 19 will be expected to take advantage of either the 16-to-17 Saver Card or Surrey's Student Fare Card (for reduced rate bus and/ or rail travel) when they travel to education or training.

However, we will be able to provide travel assistance for students aged 16 to 19, where we consider that travel assistance is necessary to enable you to reasonably access your education or training.

If you are a student aged 16 to19, when we assess the eligibility for travel assistance, there is a criteria that will consider various factors such as:

The distance from your home to your education or training establishment and the journey time
Whether you have an additional need and/ or disability which would make it unsafe for you to travel independently
Whether you are currently in receipt of any funding from the 16 to19 Bursary Fund (GOV.UK) and how much you receive.

If contracted transport is provided, students aged 16 to 19 or their parents/ carers will be asked to contribute towards the transport costs. Where a post-16 transport bursary is agreed, the financial contribution will not apply.

For up-to-date information, please review the Transport section of the Surrey County Council website as the costs may change each academic year.

Students aged 19 to 25-years-old

If you have an EHC plan we will consider whether assistance with travel is necessary to enable you to attend your education placement. If so, you will not need to provide a financial contribution.

If you are a post-19 student and starting a new course and need travel assistance, you must provide evidence that you cannot make the travel arrangements yourself.

Each request will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering the law, council policy and any supporting information provided.

How to apply

Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan

If you think you may be eligible for travel assistance, please use the online application on the Surrey County Council website (application for travel assistance for young people aged 16 to 19 (25 with an EHC plan)).

Children and young people without an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan

If you believe that travel assistance is necessary for you to access your educational establishment, please use the online application on the Surrey County Council website

application for travel assistance for young people aged 16 to 19 (25 with an EHC plan)

Please visit the Transport section of the Surrey County Council website for information regarding application timescales, criteria, and deadlines.

Successful applicants

If you are eligible, you will not be able to choose the type of travel assistance you will receive. The forms of transport assistance available are:

Seat on a contract vehicle (coach, minibus, or taxi)
Reimbursements for petrol or public transport

If we allocate you a seat on a contract vehicle, we will send you information about the route and provide you with pick-up times.

If we allocate you reimbursement, we will send you a claim form and details of what can be claimed. You will need to complete this at the end of each term and return it together with tickets and receipts. If you require additional forms email passenger.transport@surreycc.gov.uk.

Unsuccessful applicants

If you are not eligible, you may be able to apply for a Student fare card or you may be able to purchase a concessionary seat on existing transport for your journey. Please visit the Surrey County Council website for further information.

You may also want to ask your college or sixth form for details of any bursary schemes they may have to help with expenses. If your application for home to school transport has been unsuccessful you can also appeal the decision.

Transport assistance for carers

Assistance is also available for carers to travel with their cared for person.

The Blue Badge Scheme allows people with disabilities to have the car they are travelling in to be parked nearer to amenities.
Free Bus Passes for disabled people. If the bus pass holder requires support to travel, their carer is also entitled to a companion permit. A letter evidencing this need should be submitted with the application form.

Further information regarding eligibility and applying for this assistance can be found on the Surrey County Council website.

Useful resources

Surrey Student Fare Card (Surrey County Council) find more information online about how to apply for the Surrey student fare card, which gives students aged 18-18 who live in Surrey reduced rate bus and/ or rail travel to school and colleges. Telephone: 0300 200 1004, Email: student.farecards@surreycc.gov.uk
Travel Assistance Form details and application form for Travel Assistance for young people aged 16 to 19 (or 16 to 25 if the young person has an Education Health, and Care plan), and contact details for travel assistance application queries.
Travel Choices (Surrey Choices) a programme, launched in partnership with Surrey County Council, to support children and young people to gain independence to travel to school, go into town with friends, and go to other places that they would like to visit.

Further support

ATLAS the User Voice and Participation Team at Surrey County Council facilitate the ATLAS network. This network is for young people who have accessed any additional needs and disability service within Surrey, providing the chance to share experiences and give feedback to bring about change to the services they use.
Council for Disabled Children provides a collective voice that champions the rights of children, young people and their families and challenges barriers to inclusion. They publish a wide range of useful guides and toolkits to support young people with additional needs and disabilities as they prepare for adulthood.
Family Voice Surrey a parent and carer forum for families with children aged 0 to 25 in Surrey, who have additional needs or disabilities. The service speaks up for the rights of families of children and young people with additional needs in Surrey.
Preparing for Adulthood: All Tools & Resources the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) works with the Department for Education to provide information and resources about preparing for adulthood focusing on employment, independent living, good health, and friends, family, and community.
Reconstruct an Advocacy service for children in care aged 0-18 years and care leavers up to age 25 in Surrey. An advocate is someone who provides support to children and young people in care or who have additional needs or disabilities and/ or an EHC plan. This service ensures that children and young people's voices are heard and that they have a say in the decision that affects their lives.
Recovery College NHS Surrey & Borders Partnership Trust run these colleges in Surrey and North-East Hampshire, which are designed to support people in their recovery. They help people improve their health and wellbeing through courses on a range of mental and physical health conditions.
SEND Advice Surrey provides free, confidential and impartial information, advice and support for young people and parents/ carers of children with additional needs and/ or disabilities aged 0 to 25.
POhWER is the provider of advocacy for adults in Surrey, an advocate is someone who can speak up for you if you face difficulties in being involved in decisions about your care, having your voice heard, and normally have no other independent person to help you do so.
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/adultadvocacy
Telephone: 0300 456 2370,
Text: Send the word 'pohwer' with your name and number to 81025, Skype: pohwer.advocacy, Email: pohwer@pohwer.net
Surrey Choices provide a range of support services to improve the independence, confidence and life skills of people with a range of disabilities and support needs, whatever their age, in their local community.
Connect to Support Surrey (formerly Surrey Information Point) provides details and contacts for many services including health, things to do, housing, money, and work and volunteering, as well as a directory to find services near you.

Acknowledgements and thanks

This booklet has been co-produced with young people with additional needs and/or disabilities, their families and carers, along with a range of professionals across the local authority. We would also like to acknowledge the involvement of our health partners, working together to deliver our shared vision to improve the health and wellbeing of our young people.

This engagement helped us to ensure that we were creating a document that was relevant to those that would be reading it, which included helpful information and resources to support young people as they progress into adulthood.

We want to thank Surrey County Council's User Voice and Participation team and Family Voice Surrey for their help with organising and facilitating our co-production sessions, which gave us the opportunity to talk to, and hear feedback from, Surrey's young people with additional needs and their parents and carers.