Preparing for adult life

The key topics to think about as your child moves into adulthood.

For families in Scotland only

Visit Talking about Tomorrow, our dedicated project about moving into adulthood in Scotland.

For families across the UK

Getting prepared

Making a plan

On this page, we'll help you get the transition planning process started.

Two women are outdoors enjoying a sunny day. The older woman on the left wears sunglasses and a shirt with the number

Parental responsibility & mental capacity beyond 16

As your child gets older, you might have to decide whether they're able to make decisions for themselves.

Benefits & money

You might be starting to think about your son or daughter's financial independence and how they'll start to manage their own money.

Wills & trusts

Writing a will and including a trust can help give some reassurance that the person you care for is provided for.

A young man learning how to do rope gymnastics

Getting a job

At some stage, you and your child will start to think about what happens when they finish school.

A young man in a gray hoodie smiles while holding a basketball. The background shows a blurred indoor setting with people in casual attire.

Education, health & social care

As your child gets older, they'll be entitled to support in different areas of their life.

Teenager wearing helmet at rock climbing wall

Independent living & housing

As your child grows older, you can support them towards independence. This could mean learning new skills or moving out.

Boy sitting at a wooden picnic bench, engrossed in reading a booklet. He's wearing a black tracksuit and blue sneakers, with a jacket and bag beside him. A window with displays is in the background.

Developing self esteem

Growing up is about growing into a confident adult with a range of close friendships, including sexual relationships.

Boy playing on the beach next to wheelchair

Making friends

Having friends is vital for our self-esteem as we grow up. Sometimes there are obstacles to a disabled child making friends.

Mum and daughter feeding animals at woodland event

Puberty and growing up

As puberty approaches you need to prepare yourselves and your son or daughter for a more adult status.

Sex and sexual awareness

A person not able to use part of his or her body still has an equal right to full sexual expression.

Two people are outdoors at a ropes course. A younger person in a football jersey and helmet is being assisted with their harness and ropes by an older person, also wearing a helmet. They are surrounded by trees and wooden fencing, and safety equipment is visible.

Sex and relationship education in school

There are new requirements for relationships and sex education (RSE). These came into force in September 2020.

Working in partnership to develop this information for families

Contact worked in partnership with Carers UK, National Network of Parents Carer Forums (NNPCF) and National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi) as part of a consortium to develop these webpages.

The consortium was funded to do this by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with the aim of supporting parent carers navigate the transition from child to adult services as their child approaches the age of 18.

Parent carers, who we recognise are experts by experience, were key to developing this information, and the information on our webpages is based on what they told us was needed.

Other stakeholders involved in the project included:

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