Preparing for Adulthood: Support for Young Adults with Additional Needs

As young people approach the end of their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and prepare to leave college, it is important to explore the support available and plan for a smooth transition into adulthood. This includes considering social opportunities, adult learning, community activities, and day services that can help develop independence, confidence, and life skills in a supportive environment.

The following top tips can help you begin preparing for this next stage:

Top Tips: Preparing for EHCPs Ending and Leaving Education

  1. Start Early

    • Begin transition planning at least a year before your EHCP is due to end. Early planning allows time to explore options and identify the right mix of support.

  2. Understand Available Support

    • Familiarise yourself with your local SEND Local Offer. These sites provide information on adult social care, day services, community activities, adult learning, and volunteering opportunities.

  3. Identify Interests and Goals

    • Think about the young person’s interests, strengths, and aspirations. This could include hobbies, creative activities, work experience, or social groups. our curriculum focuses on this and our staff are there to support this. we ensure we support our students to communicate their wishes.

  4. Explore Adult Learning Opportunities

    • Adult learning is often informal, welcoming, and practical. Courses can build independence, social skills, and confidence without requiring an EHCP.

  5. Consider Day Services and Community Groups

    • Many young adults benefit from structured day services or supported community activities, which can develop life skills and provide social interaction. You can speak to your social care team or local council for referral guidance.

  6. Review and Discuss Regularly

    • Discuss leaving college in annual reviews, this can ensure we get all information down in one place and demonstrates informed decisions. In May, we will meet with all parents/carers of leavers to discuss next steps and create a transition booklet together. We then send this directly to Social care, you will also get a copy. This will include all of the important documents we have used and created whilst at Great Oaks college.

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Hillingdon Next Steps

In the London Borough of Hillingdon, there is a wide range of support, activities and learning opportunities designed specifically for young adults with additional needs.

We recommend exploring the Hillingdon SEND Local Offer via the Hillingdon Directory. This is a great starting point for identifying social groups, community activities, sports programmes, volunteering opportunities and specialist services that may match your young person’s interests. Taking time to browse what’s available can help you discover new opportunities that could be included in their transition plan.
🔗 https://beta.hillingdon.gov.uk/send-local-offer (HELLO – SEND Local Offer for Hillingdon)

Another valuable pathway to consider is Adult Learning through Hillingdon Council’s adult education provision, which offers informal education opportunities that do not require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to enrol.
🔗 https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/adult-courses (Learn Hillingdon – adult education courses)

These courses are practical, interactive and supported by experienced staff. They are designed to develop independence, social skills and confidence in a supportive environment. You can find classes in digital skills, wellbeing, everyday living skills, and specialised learning for adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Hillingdon Day Services and Community Support are usually accessed through a referral from Adult Social Care. It is therefore important to discuss this option with your allocated worker as part of transition planning. Adult Social Care can help arrange support to attend day activities, community groups, volunteering placements or personalised programmes.
🔗 https://pre.hillingdon.gov.uk/adult-social-care (Adult Social Care info)

You can find further information about local activities and day opportunities that may be suitable for your young person by visiting the Hillingdon Local Offer or speaking directly with Adult Social Care to explore whether this provision would be an appropriate match. Examples include:

  • Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support – support and community activities for autistic adults and families.

  • The DASH Hub – support, advice and community engagement for disabled adults and carers.

  • Nirvana Day Centre – day centre providing activities and social support for vulnerable adults.

  • Northolt Day & Learning Centre – day and learning services tailored to people with additional needs.

  • Hillingdon Adult Education Centre and Adult & Community Learning – adult learning courses that support independence and skills development.

  • Centre for ADHD & Autism Support – community support and services for adults with neurodivergence.

  • Mencap – national charity with local presence offering support for adults with learning disabilities.

  • Carers Trust Hillingdon – support for carers, peer groups and wellbeing activities that can complement care planning.

  • Hillingdon Community Centre – local community space that can host groups and social meet-ups.

  • Hillingdon Federation of Community Association – community hub offering inclusive activities and local events.

Volunteering opportunities can also be found across the borough and may be suitable for young adults looking to build confidence, meet others and contribute to their community. Search local volunteering roles or talk to Adult Social Care and Local Offer contacts for ideas.

In the London Borough of Hounslow, there is a wide range of support, activities and learning opportunities designed specifically for young adults with additional needs.

We recommend exploring the Hounslow SEND Local Offer. This is a great starting point for identifying social groups, community activities, sports programmes, volunteering opportunities and specialist services that may match your young person’s interests. Taking time to browse what’s available can help you discover new opportunities that could be included in their transition plan.
🔗 https://beta.hounslow.gov.uk/send-local-offer

Another valuable pathway to consider is Adult Learning through Learn Hounslow (Hounslow Adult and Community Education). Adult learning is often described as informal education, which means young people do not need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to enrol.
🔗 https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20259/hace_-_learn_hounslow

These courses are practical, interactive and supported by experienced staff. They are designed to develop independence, social skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
🔗 https://beta.hounslow.gov.uk/adult-education-courses

Hounslow Day Services are usually accessed through a referral from Adult Social Care. It is therefore important to discuss this option with your allocated worker as part of transition planning.
🔗 https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/info/20192/adult_social_care

You can find further information about Sandbanks Resource Centre, which may be a suitable option for your young person, by visiting the Hounslow Local Offer or speaking directly with Adult Social Care to explore whether this provision would be an appropriate match.
🔗 https://beta.hounslow.gov.uk/send-local-offer-social-care

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In the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, there is a wide range of support, activities and learning opportunities designed specifically for young adults with additional needs.

We recommend exploring the Richmond & Kingston SEND Local Offer. This is a great starting point for identifying social groups, community activities, sports programmes, volunteering opportunities and specialist services that may match your young person’s interests. Taking time to browse what’s available can help you discover new opportunities that could be included in their transition plan.
🔗 https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/local_offer (SEND Local Offer for Kingston & Richmond)

Another valuable pathway to consider is Adult Learning and Community Opportunities provided via local adult education and community groups. While Richmond and Kingston do not have a single adult learning service like some boroughs, support for informal learning, confidence building and social development can be accessed through local directories and community partners listed on the AfC SEND Local Offer site, including wellbeing classes, volunteering opportunities and group activities for young adults.
🔗 See “Activities and Clubs for Young People” section on the Richmond & Kingston Local Offer website: https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk (search activities for ages 18+)

These opportunities are practical, interactive and supported by experienced staff or community volunteers. They are designed to develop independence, social skills and confidence in a supportive environment. Community directories such as Connected Kingston also list clubs, groups and social opportunities for adults, including volunteering, wellbeing sessions and peer support circles.
🔗 https://connectedkingston.uk (community support and activities directory)

Adult Social Care Services in Richmond and Kingston are accessed through referral and assessment by adult social care teams. It is therefore important to discuss this option with your allocated worker as part of transition planning. Information and contact details for adult social care in Kingston are available on the council’s website, and Richmond adult social care links are provided via the SEND Local Offer transition pages.
🔗 Adult Social Care – Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames: https://www.kingston.gov.uk/adult-social-care
🔗 Transition to Adult Services information (Richmond): https://kr.afcinfo.org.uk/pages/local-offer/…transitioning-to-adult-health-services-in-richmond

You can find further information about community-based support and local day opportunities, which may be suitable options for your young person, by visiting the Richmond & Kingston Local Offer or speaking directly with Adult Social Care to explore whether this provision would be an appropriate match. For example:

In the Surrey County, there is a wide range of support, activities and learning opportunities designed specifically for young adults with additional needs.

We recommend exploring the Surrey SEND Local Offer. This is a great starting point for identifying social groups, community activities, sports programmes, volunteering opportunities and specialist services that may match your young person’s interests. Taking time to browse what’s available can help you discover new opportunities that could be included in their transition plan.
🔗 https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/local-offer

Another valuable pathway to consider is Adult Learning (Surrey Adult Learning). Adult learning is often described as informal education, which means young people do not need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) to enrol. Courses cover a wide range of subjects including independence skills, wellbeing, creative arts, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills, and there are programmes specifically designed to encourage community participation and confidence building.
🔗 https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/adult-learning

These courses are practical, interactive and supported by experienced staff. They are designed to develop independence, social skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
🔗 https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/adult-learning

Adult Social Care Services in Surrey are usually accessed through contact with Adult Social Care teams. It is therefore important to discuss this option with your allocated worker as part of transition planning. Adult Social Care can provide practical help and support including community-based activities, day services, equipment, advocacy and supported living options.
🔗https://adultsocialcareportal.surreycc.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/help/socialcare

You can find further information about local activities and day opportunities which may be suitable for your young person by visiting the Surrey Local Offer, Adult Social Care pages or speaking directly with Adult Social Care to explore whether a particular provision would be an appropriate match. Examples include:

Financial support and personal budgets may be available through an EHCP direct payment to help pay for leisure, social and developmental activities that support your young person’s goals.
🔗 https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/local-offer/young-people/preparing-for-adulthood/friends-and-community

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Ealing SEND Local Offer — Your First Port of Call

The Ealing SEND Local Offer brings together information about education, health, care, leisure and community services for children and young people (0–25) with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It’s a great way to find social groups, community activities, specialist services and support as part of transition planning.

You can access it via the local council’s directory (search for “Local Offer Ealing”) or through Ealing Family Information Service for preparing for adulthood support (education, work, social care, activities).

Ealing’s Local Offer provides structured info for young people up to age 25 with SEND — including leisure, skills development, training & social opportunities.

🎓 Adult Learning — Learn Ealing

The adult learning programme from Ealing Council (Learn Ealing) offers courses for adults including digital skills, English, maths, employability and creative classes — suitable for many adults learning new skills or building confidence in supportive environments.

  • Courses may be free or subsidised with eligibility criteria.

  • These can support independence, wellbeing and lifelong learning.

👥 Community Support & Activities

Here are some key local services and opportunities in Ealing:

Ealing Mencap

  • Provides activities and daytime programmes for adults with learning disabilities — helping people make friends, build skills and enjoy social activity.

  • Also offers advice, support services and training to help with employment and independence.

Ealing Shared Lives

  • A council‑run support option where adults with additional needs can live with a trained carer for long‑term or short breaks and access day support opportunities.

Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities (CTPLD)

  • Health and social work professionals support adults with learning disabilities — providing assessments, advice and services to help with daily living and community involvement.

Day Services in Ealing

  • Council‑run day centres like Cowgate Day Centre and Carlton Road Day Centre offer structured day opportunities for adults with more complex needs.

Westside Disability Project

  • Part of the borough youth offer specifically for young people with additional needs aged ~13–25, providing community engagement and social activities.

🤝 Local Community & Peer‑Led Activities

In addition to statutory services, Ealing has local community groups and social opportunities that can enrich everyday life for young adults:

  • Youth & Transition Support — The borough’s Youth and Connexions Service can help young people with careers info, transitions and social links up to age 25.

  • Neighbourhood activities & groups — Local youth centres and community programmes (e.g., social and skills groups through Young Ealing Foundation and partner projects) offer opportunities to connect and build confidence.

  • Connect Ealing — A network of charities providing befriending and group activities to reduce social isolation and promote community participation.

(Note: specific session schedules and age ranges vary — check with providers.)

💡 Planning & Financial Support

• Direct payments / personal budgets: Some families use EHCP direct payments to pay for community activities and services that help achieve personal goals (social inclusion, independence, skills).
• Speak with SENDIASS or your allocated worker to explore eligibility and planning as part of transition reviews.

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Admissions information

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Therapy and care

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Transitions

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