Preparing for adulthood

Information and advice to help young people and their families prepare for adult life.

Contents

Planning for adulthood

Moving from childhood to adulthood brings new opportunities, responsibilities and choices.

This page focuses on planning ahead, setting goals and thinking about the support you may need in the future.

Everyone's journey is different. You may already know what you want to do, or you may still be exploring your options. It is okay for plans to change over time. 

When planning for adulthood it is best to start by thinking about what matters to you. Remember it is okay if plans change.

Start with what matters to you

When planning for adulthood it can help to:

  • think about your interests and goals
  • focus on one or two priorities at a time
  • talk to people you trust about your plans
  • review your goals regularly
  • remember that plans can change as your circumstances change

When should planning start?

Planning usually begins during secondary school and continues into adulthood. It can help to start thinking about your future around the age of 14, when you are in Year 9 at school, by talking to someone you trust about your hopes, goals and what is important to you.

Year 9

Start talking about your hopes and goals for the future. Think about what is important to you and what you might like to do as an adult.

Years 10 and 11

Explore education, training, employment opportunities and life skills.

Years 12 and 13

Develop a clearer plan for what happens after school or college, including any support you may need with education, work, housing, health or daily living.

Around age 18

Find out what support and services may change as you become an adult.

Up to age 25

Continue reviewing your goals, plans and support needs where appropriate.

Think about the future

As you prepare for adulthood, you may want to consider:

  • education, employment and training
  • living as independently as possible
  • managing money and benefits
  • making decisions about your life and support
  • maintaining good health and wellbeing
  • building friendships and community connections
  • accessing adult social care support if needed

The following pages provide information and advice on each of these areas.