Series overview
Goal:
The aim of these webinars is to build practical knowledge, confidence, and collaboration around Preparing for Adulthood outcomes and transition pathways for young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), with or without an Education, Health and Care Plan.
Audience:
The webinars are open to anyone wishing to find out more about Preparing for Adulthood. This includes:
- young people with SEND, with or without an EHCP. Young people from the age of 16 are able to make their own decisions around their education so can attend the webinars alone, or with family members
- parent carers and family members of young people with SEND
- professionals
Presenters:
Sessions will be delivered by Kate Clarke, Preparing for Adulthood Advisor at Southend-on-Sea City Council, and guest speakers.
Format:
There are 5 webinars in the series. People can attend all 5 if they wish to do so or can choose those that are of the most interest or value to them.
Each webinar will be hosted online through Microsoft Teams, between 6pm and 7pm. Each session will include information, interactive activities, real-life scenarios and an opportunity for questions and answers.
Bookings:
Please book a place on each webinar separately through Eventbrite (booking links for each session can be found below). Teams meeting log-in links will be emailed to you.
If there is a particular topic you'd like covered in a session, please tell us when making your booking.
Questions:
If you have any questions about the webinars, please contact Kate Clarke at kateclarke@southend.gov.uk
Webinar 1: Preparing for Adulthood - what it means and why it matters.
Date: Thursday 19 March 2026, 6pm to 7pm
This webinar will help you:
- understand the 4 Preparing for Adulthood outcomes: employment, independent living, community inclusion and health
- know what the law says about support for young people with SEND and what services and settings must do when young people move into adult life
- spot the important times when things change (like leaving school or starting college) and plan for those changes in education, health and care
Content:
- definition and purpose of Preparing for Adulthood for children and young people with SEND
- the law - duties, timelines and person-centered planning
- how different services work together to support young people and how early planning helps
- what's available in the local area to support with your education, health and social care
Book a place through Eventbrite.
Webinar 2: Building Employment Pathways – Supported Internships and Apprenticeships.
Date: Thursday 16 April, 6pm to 7pm
This webinar will help you understand:
- how Supported Internships work and how they are delivered, including eligibility and funding
- Apprenticeship opportunities and reasonable adjustments for young people with SEND
- how to identify and approach prospective employers
Content:
- Supported Internships: programme structure, providers, programme outcomes and support for young people through job coaching
- Apprenticeships: entry requirements, eligibility, programme levels, functional skills (Math's and English) and support available for those with SEND
- employer engagement: communication and workplace adjustments, and the use of the Southend Vocational Profile
Book a place through Eventbrite.
Webinar 3: Navigating Adult Social Care – preparing families and young people.
Date: Thursday 14 May, 6pm to 7pm
This webinar will help you:
- understand Care Act eligibility and social care assessment processes
- prepare for transitions as a family
- understand the links between education, health, and social care planning
Content:
- Care Act principles and the transition process (Care Act sections 14 to 25)
- Adult social care assessment processes, direct payments, and personal budgets
- links between health (NHS Continuing Healthcare) and education (Education, Health and Care Plans)
- being prepared: who to communicate with, when to communicate and how
Book a place through Eventbrite.
Webinar 4: From NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) to employment – strategies for engagement and success.
Date: Thursday 25 June 2026, 6pm to 7pm
This webinar will help you:
- explore effective engagement strategies for young people who are not in employment, education or training and know who is there to help
- understand local initiatives (such as the Ready to Work programme) and referral pathways.
- understand how services and professionals work together to support young people in education, employment and training
Content:
- how young people at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training) can be identified early and supported
- support available through local programmes: coaching, work tasters, links with employers and functional skills support (Math's and English)
- how attendance, progression and outcomes are captured and tracked
- keeping young people engaged: incentives, mentoring and family involvement
Book a place through Eventbrite.
Webinar 5: Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and support for young people with high needs in post-16 education.
Date: Thursday 9 July 2026, 6pm to 7pm
This webinar is aimed at those with an EHCP.
This webinar will help you:
- ensure a young person's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) covers preparing for adulthood outcomes
- ensure the EHCP can be implemented in a Further Education (FE) college or setting
- identify common challenges in post-16 education and find practical solutions
Content:
- post-16 education funding and how education provision is commissioned
- knowing your EHCP and owning your outcomes
- what happens when your EHCP comes to an end
- who to go to if you feel you are not getting the right support in college