Preparing for Adulthood: Parents and carers guide to post‑16 opportunities

If you’re supporting a young person as they move toward adulthood, it can sometimes be difficult to understand what options are available after the age of 16. The Parents and carers guide to post‑16 opportunities, produced with Essex Family Forum by the Preparing for Adulthood team at Essex County Council, brings together clear, practical information to help families navigate this important stage of life.

This guide covers a wide range of Preparing for Adulthood topics, including:

• Further education and training options
• Routes into work, Supported Internships and apprenticeships
• Employment pathways and local services that can help
• Travel training and developing independence
• Day opportunities, community‑based activities and support
• Key questions to consider, timelines and useful contacts

Whether a young person is exploring education, work, community activities or a mix of different supports, this guide is designed to help parents and carers feel informed and confident about the next steps. Access the guide by clicking here, by clicking on the image opposite or via the link below.

https://www.essexopportunities.co.uk/post-16-parents-carers-guide/post-16-parents-carers-guide/

SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First

The government has published a Schools White Paper called “Every Child Achieving and Thriving.” Alongside this is a consultation called “SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First,” which proposes changes to how children and young people with SEND are supported. 

The consultation includes 39 questions, although not every part of the document is open to consultation. This means some proposals cannot be influenced through responses. Essex Family Forum will submit a response based on the views of families across Essex.  We will use information gathered about local services and provision through our Graffiti Wall, as well as your views on the proposed reforms, guided by the 39 questions included in the government consultation. We will also publish our response so families can see how their views have been represented. 

Share your views

We want to hear from parent carers of children and young people with SEND in Essex. (excluding Southend and Thurrock, as they are separate local authority areas). You can share your views in several ways: 

• In person – Speak to us at events such as coffee mornings and SEND Roadshows. 
• Social media – Take part in our SEND Reform posts and polls. 
• Online via Padlet – Share your views on our SEND Reform Padlet board (click here). 

How to use Padlet:

• No login needed and posts are anonymous 
• Scroll down to read posts and find questions
• Click the “+” button under a question to add your comment 
• Click Publish for your comment to appear 

Important information – By posting on the Padlet board, you agree that Essex Family Forum may use your comments anonymously to help inform our consultation response. We will also share feedback with the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), who represent parent carer voices nationally and work with the Department for Education (DfE). Please share general views rather than detailed personal experiences, and avoid naming individual professionals. Posts with inappropriate language may be removed. 

Links to the white paper and accompanying documents 

Policy paper: Every child achieving and thriving – This white paper sets out the government’s vision for schools and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reform to support every child to achieve and thrive. You can read the white paper by clicking here.

Open consultation: SEND reform: putting children and young people first – The consultation document explains the change the government plan to make and asks for comments from everyone with an interest. The changes aim to improve help and support for children and young people with SEND across the 0 to 25 years system. 

There is both an easy-read version and a version specifically for children and young people, as well as alternative formats such as a British Sign Language video, large print, and Braille. You can read the consultation by clicking here.

Guidance Documents – A series of 10 short fact sheet style documents setting out the key information and proposed reforms in the schools white paper and SEND consultation document for parents and those working in the sector. You can read the guidance documents by clicking here. 

Submitting your own response – If you would like to submit your own response to the consultation you can find details on how to do so by clicking here. 

Family Forum Response to the Schools White Paper and SEND consultation document.

Essex Family Forum welcomes the publication of the Schools White Paper. We understand that recent misinformation and leaks have caused uncertainty and frustration for families, and we hope the publication of the full document provides clearer information about the Government’s proposals. We would like to reassure families that this document suggests no change in current support and EHCP’s for pupils.

Through our work with the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), and by participating in the National SEND Conversations, Essex Family Forum has represented the lived experiences of Essex families. 

What is a White Paper? 

A White Paper is not a law. It is a document that sets out the Government’s ideas and proposals for changes they would like to make. 

What happens next? 

1. Consultation :The Government has asked for views.
   This is where organisations like Essex Family Forum, the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF), and families like you can share feedback over the next 12 weeks. 

1. Review and changes: The Government considers the feedback and may revise their proposals. 

1. New laws (if needed) : If changes to the law are required, which we suspect there will be, the Government must introduce a Bill to Parliament. 

1. Parliamentary process : The Bill is debated and examined by Members of Parliament and the House of Lords, and amendments can be made. 

1. Becoming law: If both Houses agree, the Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes an Act of Parliament. 

Some proposals in a White Paper do not require new legislation and may instead be introduced through changes to policy or statutory guidance. 

What Essex Family Forum will do next 

Over the coming weeks, we will be working closely with NNPCF and other Parent Carer Forums across England to review the proposals and contribute to the national response through NNPCF. 

We will also be gathering the views of Essex families to inform our own local response. We plan to hold a small number of listening sessions to ensure families have the opportunity to share their experiences, concerns and views before any formal response is submitted. Further details on how you can take part will be shared shortly.  

Join Our Management Committee

Voluntary Role · Flexible Commitment · Make a Difference

Essex Family Forum is seeking passionate SEND Parent Carers to join our voluntary Management Committee and play a key role in guiding the direction and development of our parent-led organisation. If you care deeply about inclusion, strategic thinking, and collaborative leadership — and you’re ready to make a meaningful impact — we’d love to hear from you.

Click here to view ‘Voluntary Role’ details

Click here to view ‘Role Description’

UDATE – New Autism and ADHD Service Providers (MID and SOUTH Essex)

Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) has announced an important update that may help reduce waiting times for Autism and ADHD assessments for children and young people. Please click here for more information.

Update on EHC needs assessments.

The update provides details on ongoing SEND improvements, including feedback from summer inclusive activities and an update on reducing EHCNA backlogs through additional Educational Psychologists. The letter outlines further changes to improve the assessment process, acknowledge continuing system pressures, and set priorities for the year ahead.

Please click the link below or the image opposite to to access a letter from Clare Kershaw and Cllr Tony Ball.

Update Letter

My Care Bridge

My Care Bridge, an online portal for new referrals for children and young people’s autism and ADHD services in mid and south Essex, is now live. 

The portal is for children and young people who are aged up to 18 years old and registered with a GP in mid and south Essex. This includes Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend, Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock.

The should be easy to use and secure and has been developed in collaboration with healthcare and education professionals, and families.

Educational settings (including nurseries, schools, and colleges), GPs, health visitors, and other health professionals can use the portal to make referrals.

Parents and carers will be sent a login when a referral has been made and you will be able to log into the portal to provide information for your child’s referral, track the referral and access a library of support available locally.

The portal is for new referrals only – current referrals will continue to follow existing administrative pathways.

At present, it cannot accept referrals made by parents, carers, family members or young people themselves. If you feel your child/young person requires an Autism or ADHD assessment, we encourage discussion with their education setting or GP about making a referral through My Care Bridge.

The portal been developed by the Mid and South Essex Community Collaborative, a partnership between Essex Partnership University Trust, North East London Foundation Trust and Provide Community.

If you would like to give us any feedback on the portal please do so by clicking HERE