Preparation for Adulthood:
A Shared Vision for the Future 

Published by: Lucy Kennerley, Parent Carer Forum Cheshire West .    Date: May 2025

On May 14th, 2025, families, professionals, and local leaders came together at the Holiday Inn, Ellesmere Port for our “Preparation for Adulthood” (PfA) event. This pivotal day focused on ensuring that young people with SEND have the right support, from the early years through to adult life.

Together, we explored what it truly means to enable young people to live “great lives” – lives that are independent, fulfilling, and shaped by their aspirations. 

The Vision: “Great Lives” for All 

We opened the event by hearing from Councillor Sheila Little, cabinet member for disability for adult social care who shared the council’s vision for adult social care – one centred around enabling people to thrive in their communities with skilled, compassionate support. 

Kath Hingston, who shared the council’s vision for adult social care – one centred around enabling people to thrive in their communities with skilled, compassionate support. The Adult Transitions Team, reorganised in June 2023, now works in tandem with the Children’s Transitions Team to ensure smoother, more joined-up transitions from age 14 through to 25. Kath talked about the Care Act and well being principles when a child reaches adulthood. 

A Focus on Independence 

One standout initiative was from the skills and employment service was Independent Travel Training (ITT) – a service helping young people build confidence and lifelong skills through learning to travel safely on public transport. We heard powerful success stories from young people like Alfie and Nathan, whose newfound independence is opening doors to college, work, and friendships. 

If your child is receiving travel assistance from the local authority to school, college or day placement, they might be able to access ITT. 

Please refer using this link- my.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/service/Independent_travel_training_referral 

Housing and Supported Living 

Leah Gilbert from the Community Care and Residential (CCR) team walked us through current and future accommodation projects. From supported flats in Ellesmere Port to specialist services in Frodsham and Northwich, the ambition is clear: develop local, tailored housing options for a range of needs – including autism, learning disabilities, and mental health. 

Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Support 

The Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT) introduced the wide-ranging expertise available, including psychologists, psychiatrists, speech therapists, and intensive support teams. Crucial topics like Positive Behaviour Support, STOMP/STAMP, mental health therapies, and annual health checks were covered. 

Please contact for more information 

Tel: 01244 397222       email:  cwp.westcldt@nhs.net

Furthermore, please visit or recent blogs on annual health checks and digital flags 

www.pcfcheshirewest.org/ra-update 

www.pcfcheshirewest.org/annual-health-check 

Co-Producing the Future: Preparation for Adulthood in Cheshire West 

At the heart of the Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) work in Cheshire West is a commitment to meaningful co-production—bringing together young people, parent carers, professionals, and partners to shape strategies that reflect what truly matters to those who live it. 

Developing the Preparation for Adulthood Strategy 2025–2030 

One key feature of the session was an interactive workshop, where parent carers were invited to reflect on their lived experience of the transition to adulthood. This activity helped gather practical insights to inform future planning and ensure the strategy reflects real-world experiences, not just policy intentions. 

We were thrilled to learn the ongoing co-production of the 2025–2030 Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) Strategy  – shaped by voices from: 

• Young people 

• Families 

• SENCos and FE providers 

• Social care, health, and education professionals 

Insights from National Development Team for Inclusion 

The National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) is supporting this work nationally, using evidence from over 400 young people with SEND. Their feedback highlights that preparing for adulthood is not just a process—it’s about enabling young people to live full, independent, and meaningful lives. 

What young people say matters most: 

• Having friends and fun 

• Being treated as independent adults 

• Having a say in decisions about their future 

• Being supported to manage their own health and wellbeing 

• Getting help early—not waiting until age 18 to figure things out 

Useful tools from NDTi include: 

• Preparation for Adulthood Annual Review Checklist 

• Post-16 Planning Tools 

• Housing & Independent Living Surveys and Webinars 

Check out this link to access the tools: Preparation for Adulthood Tools 

Culture Change

One of the PCF 2024 survey recommendation was to relaunch the co- production charter. We took the opportunity to introduce the development of “The Pledge” – a shared commitment to values like trust, accessible language, empathy, and genuine partnership. Parents and carers were asked to leave feedback to help develop the pledge. The Pledge will be at the forefront of the Co production charter so that all stakeholders, partners and professionals have a way of communicating consistently to parents and carers across all sectors. More information and workshops on this we be announced soon. 

Preparation for Adulthood Padlet 

To help navigate a complex preparation for adulthood pathway Emma Walker the live well coordinator has produced a preparation for adulthood public to help access information on preparation for adulthood easier on the local offer. Please take a look and if you've got any feedback let Emma Walker know. 

Preparing for Adulthood Pathway 

Hearing from Inspirational Young People 

A powerful highlight of the Preparation for Adulthood event was hearing directly from two incredible young people who generously shared their lived experiences. Their stories brought the strategy to life, reminding us all why this work matters. 

Living Independently – “A Home with My Friends” 

One young woman shared her journey into supported living and what it’s meant for her independence and confidence. With the right support, she now lives in a shared house with her friends. She spoke honestly about having a say in where and who she lives with, and shopping to choose what she like in her bedroom 

Her story reminded us that supported living is not just about a roof over your heard, it’s about friendship, freedom, and being part of a community. 

Success at Work – From Internship to Chester Zoo 

Another young man spoke about his experience on a supported internship, and how it gave him the chance to build real-world skills while managing his disability. His internship helped him grow in confidence, learn new skills, and explore what kind of work suited him best. It also helped him to embrace his disability and feel accepted within society. He now works at Chester Zoo, in a role he loves, where his contribution is valued and his needs are understood. 

Thank you! 

We would like to thank everyone who attended the preparation for adulthood offence we're so grateful to all the incredible speakers who shared their time expertise and experiences but most importantly to our young people who are their true highlight of our day that powerful speeches does inspire us and reminded everyone why this work really matters. 

Q&As

Questions you asked on the day - we have received the answers from the service providers.

• Q: Where were continuing healthcare representatives?
• A: Representatives from All Age Continuing Care were not invited to this event . We can ensure they are included in any similar event going forward.

• Q: Capacity assessment why so long not heard over a year since assessment?
• A: Would be useful to have some more details on this query to follow up – generally speaking we would expect to complete and write up and share conclusions of a Capacity assessment within a couple of weeks – then if the person is deemed to lack capacity and a decision is needed then a Best interests meeting would be held to discuss available options and agree the decision. If the decision means that there is a deprivation of the persons liberties we have to apply to the Court of protection. Disputes about Best interests can also be taken to the COP for a decision. 

• Q: Why aren't families supported to get deputyship by local authorities? Families need help with form filling where is that support? 
• A: Deputyship is a private family matter which the Local authority is not involved in. Sometimes as part of applications we are asked as a local authority if we have a view on the suitability of the applicant to be a Deputy. We will provide this information to support an application but are not involved in the application itself. A service that may be able to support - we recommend that Better Together are contacted to discuss and they could appropriately sign post. I have copied a link to their website below & their contact details;
  Better Together for Carers and Older People | Carer Support Cheshire West | 146 London Road, Northwich, UK
  Contact Line Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm and Saturday 9am - 12.30pm0300 102 0008
  Email our team: bettertogether@cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org

• Q: Who does the complex care needs assessments in health? 
• A: If this is the screening and then assessment to see if a young person is eligible for All Age Continuing Care ( AACC) funding, then trained commissioning nurses who are part of the AACC team do this. These then go through a moderation process to ensure equitable offers.

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