Preparing for Adulthood Transition Guide
Supported employment, internships, volunteering and training
Young people, their families, and the team around them need to consider their long-term pathway as early as possible. It is generally considered appropriate to discuss post-16 plans from year 9 upwards. However, conversations about a child's aspirations for the future should be held from an early age.
The purpose of identifying a progression pathway is not to limit or define young people. It is to inform the decisions around their education options and choice of setting. This should be based on the progress they will make towards these long-term goals.
A vocational profile is a person-centred approach to finding out what a young person wants to do. It provides an opportunity to understand what a person is interested in and to explore why. Completing a vocational profile is a great starting point for identifying a progression pathway
Adult Learning courses are particularly popular with adults who:
- have learning disabilities, mental health needs, or other social care requirements,
- but no longer have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Courses are part-time and delivered across a range of locations in Buckinghamshire. This includes Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Chesham and Amersham. Courses can be combined to support an individual’s lifelong learning plan. They focus on developing meaningful learning outcomes that strengthen essential life skills for adulthood. This promotes confidence, community and fulfilment. We offer a wide variety of subjects, including:
- Maths
- English
- Digital
- Cooking
- Budgeting
- Managing wellbeing
- Art
- Drama
Organisation: Buckinghamshire Adult Learning
Longer-term pathway: Skills for independence and employment
Eligibility
- Aged 19 years or older
- Does not hold a current EHCP
- Can commit to the course(s) and demonstrates reliability, good attendance and good behaviour
- Has appropriate travel arrangements in place to attend centres of their choice
The Bucks Skills Hub website gives you invaluable career-related information. This includes:
- guides to different job sectors,
- case studies on the world of work,
- how to make yourself more employable,
- and much more.
Organisation: Buckinghamshire Skills Hub
Longer-term pathway: Preparation for employment
Eligibility
This advice and guidance is available for everyone.
Central Training Academy in Aylesbury specialise in Skills for Employment, Training and Personal Development (SETPD) courses. The programmes are tailored for young individuals aged 16 to 19 (and up to 25 with an EHCP). They are designed to:
- empower you
- boost your confidence
- prepare you for employment or further education
Courses run from Entry Level 1 up to Level 2. Young people can work towards their chosen career path by adding one of the following units to their qualification:
- Business Administration
- Catering
- Child Care
- Construction
- Health and Social Care
- Independent Living Skills
Enrichment activities are also offered at a 6-acre smallholding near Aylesbury. This allows you to take part in
- animal care activities,
- horticulture projects,
- and driving theory and the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
Organisation: Central Training Group
Longer-term pathway: Preparation for employment
Eligibility
16 to 19 years (up to 24 years with an EHCP)
Rise Space creates and delivers dynamic and innovative whole-person education programmes. These programmes are for young people with SEN or debilitating anxiety, aged 16 to 25 years. They work to improve identified EHC outcomes for young people whilst building:
- wellbeing
- confidence
- self-esteem
- resilience
- aspiration
Young people are supported to make sustainable changes to their lives. This forms:
- long-lasting friendships, cultivating a sense of security
- self-identity
- affiliation with their community and culture
- a genuine sense of independence and belonging that will benefit them long into adulthood
Organisation: Rise
Longer-term pathway: Re-engagement with education and making progress towards future further education opportunities. This includes supported internships and employment.
Eligibility
16 to 25 years with an EHCP
Ignite is a part-time course designed to help build the confidence, skills, and mindset needed to re-engage with education. This in turn helps take the next step in your learning journey. Ignite is designed as a stepping stone. It gives you the tools, strategies, and mindset to help you to reach your aspirations. This could include joining cross-college courses, apprenticeships or supported Internships.
The Accelerate program is tailored to provide the support you need. Whether you're transitioning into college life or aiming to enhance your Math and English Skills. The Accelerate Program is your stepping stone towards your chosen vocational pathway.
The Pathway to Supported Employment course prepares students for life in the workplace. It develops core skills required in paid work or in a voluntary position. It also provides skills for a Supported Internship with the college, including:
- Talkback
- Mission Employable
The Pathway to Independence course prepares students for life in the community. Students will have personalised targets based on their EHCP outcomes. These will help support their next steps. This will help transition students into the local community provision with the local authority and/or voluntary work.
Organisation: Rise
Longer-term pathway: Re-engagement with education and making progress towards:
- future further education opportunitie
- supported internships
- employment
Eligibility
16 to 18 years (up to 24 years with an EHCP)
New Meaning Training aims to help young people who don’t fit into mainstream education environments. They help these young people discover how they will earn their own living. They offer young people the opportunity to discover that they can learn. This journey could lead them to pursue higher-level vocational learning at a college.
New Meaning Training provide tutorials that focus on social, emotional, and mental health needs. These are often the needs holding the student back. By helping young people understand and address these needs, they become ready to engage in vocational learning.
A wide variety of courses are offered, including:
- Hair and Beauty
- Motor Mechanics
- Creative Art and Design
- Sports
- Construction Multiskills
- Work and Study
- Transition Support Boost Workskills
- Achieve Lifeskills
Organisation: New Meaning Training
Longer-term pathway: Preparation for meaningful progression into further education, employment and community engagement
Eligibility
16 to 18 years (up to 24 years with an EHCP)
The Talkback employability programme is designed to provide meaningful outcomes. It offers detailed support at every step of a person’s employment journey. The programme aims to help them reach a destination that is right for them.
Organisation: Talkback
Longer-term pathway: Routes to support internships, volunteering and employment
Eligibility
Talkback's Employability Programme is available to EHCP holders.
MacIntyre No Limits offers bespoke, community-based education packages to young people. It is available for young people aged 16 to 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
No Limits acts as the bridge between school and adulthood. The package aims to provide young people with the key skills they need to develop into more independent and confident adults. This is regardless of their starting point.
Organisation: MacIntyre
Longer-term pathway: Preparation for meaningful progression into further education, employment and community engagement
Eligibility
16 to 25 years old with an EHCP.
The Animal Antiks charity works in partnership with their in-house training provider, Different Steps. They deliver Post-16 training and supported internships. These consist of a range of training and teaching placements. The courses cover:
- animal and equine care
- employability units (levels 1 to 3)
- functional skills in English and Maths
Organisation: Animal Antiks
Longer-term pathway: Employability/community engagement
Eligibility
16 to 25 years old with an EHCP
Buckinghamshire Mind provides tailored employment support services. This support is for anyone over the age of 18 with a mental health issue. Services focus on supporting people to:
- find their first job,
- get back into work,
- or remain in employment.
Organisation: Buckinghamshire Mind
Longer-term pathway: Re-engagement, volunteering and employment
Eligibility
Anyone over the age of 18.
Fast Forward is an independent specialist provider that offers bespoke vocational pathways. These are designed to propel young people into meaningful careers. Their mission is to:
- harness each learner’s strengths
- ignite their passion
- equip them with real-world skills to elevate their success.
The Post-16 provision is designed to support learners with EHCPs to develop:
- qualifications,
- employability skills,
- and social, emotional, and life skills.
This is whilst also making measurable progress towards their EHCP outcomes.
Organisation: Fast Forward Vocational Training
Longer-term pathway: Employment
Eligibility
Ages 16 to 25 years with an EHCP.
Youth Concern provides welcoming, supportive spaces for 13 to 25-year-olds in Aylesbury Vale to:
- feel safe
- be authentic
- be themselves
Support is available for young people, including:
- Support with housing and homelessness
- Mental health support
- Caring responsibilities
- Abuse
- Financial pressures
Youth Concern specialises in working with young people facing additional challenges. They offer support that meets you where you are, without judgment. The Drop‑in Centre is a relaxed space to chill, chat, or access practical help.
Organisation: Youth Concern
Longer-term pathway: Wellbeing support
Eligibility
Ages 13 to 25 years and live, work or study in Aylesbury Vale.
The Missenden Walled Garden charity provides day services for people with disabilities or mental health issues. Typical skills development activities include: garden maintenance, music and art.
Organisation: Missenden Walled Garden
Longer-term pathway: Meaningful activities in the community
Eligibility
18 years and above, receiving a service from Adult Social Care, and has an EHCP.
Wild Minds Alternative Provision is a specialist, high-needs alternative education provision. They support young people aged 11 to 19 years with complex SEND, SEMH, and mental health needs.
The provision offers a calm, structured, and nature-based environment. This is good for learners who find traditional education overwhelming. As a small specialist provision, each young person receives tailored support, low-ratio input, and individual attention. Programmes are carefully designed around each learner’s strengths, needs, and future pathways.
Organisation: Wild Minds
Longer-term pathway: Re-engagement and making progress towards future further education opportunities, supported internships and employment
Eligibility
11 to 19 years with an EHCP
The Autism Teaching Company (ATC) provide support to young people with autism to build skills for the workplace. They also work with employers to support the recruitment and retention of employees with autism.
Organisation: The Autism Teaching Company
Longer-term pathway: Employment and community engagement
Eligibility
EHCP holders
When it comes to choosing a career, apprenticeships can be a great first step into your chosen industry. They allow more flexibility and the ability to earn a wage while learning first-hand. An apprenticeship gives you a mixture of education and gaining experience in your chosen fiel. They can cover all sorts of industries, from construction to hair and beauty.
An apprenticeship is an opportunity to:
- expand your knowledge
- develop new skills
- get used to a workplace environment
Throughout your training, you will receive guidance and support from your colleagues and mentor. Your mentor willl look after you during the programme. You will also be studying alongside your work, which could take place at a local college, with an independent training provider or online.
At the end of your training, you will leave with a nationally recognised qualification and the experience to start working. Future employers will be impressed by your CV as an apprenticeship shows that you’re a hardworking candidate.
There are over 700 types of apprenticeships available. So whether you want a career in law or prefer to train as a florist, there is likely an apprenticeship for you.
Organisation: National Apprenticeship Programme
Longer-term pathway: Employment
Eligibility
Apprenticeships are available to anyone aged 16 and above.