What is a Preparing for Adulthood review?

A Preparing for Adulthood review is the annual EHCP review that, from Year 9 (age 13-14), must by law focus on four adult-life outcomes: employment or education, independent living, society, and good health.

It is your child's annual review, with a transition focus

The most useful thing to know first: this is not a separate or new type of meeting. It is the same annual review the council has to hold for every EHC plan at least once every 12 months (section 44 of the Children and Families Act 2014, with the review itself conducted under regulations 19-20 of the SEND Regulations 2014). From the review in Year 9, and at every review after that, the council must add a focus on preparing for adulthood. All the usual annual-review rights still apply - you are not giving any of them up.

The four outcomes it must cover

The SEND Code of Practice 2015 (paras 8.9 and 8.10) says the planning in the review should build towards four areas of adult life:

1. higher education and/or employment;
2. independent living - choice and control over their own life;
3. participating in society - friends, relationships, community;
4. being as healthy as possible in adult life.

From Year 9 onwards the outcomes written into the plan itself have to reflect these areas, and the planning must be person-centred - led by your child's own aspirations, with an advocate to help them take part if they need one.

Why this matters - and what it is not

Many parents hear "transition review" and worry support is being wound down. It is the opposite. The point is to look forward early so the right support is in place when it is needed. Just as important: it is not about locking in firm or binding decisions at 13-14. The Code frames it as exploring your child's aspirations and abilities and keeping outcomes "ambitious and stretching", not choosing a final path now. An EHC plan, and these reviews, can continue up to age 25 where your child stays in education or training (section 46 of the Children and Families Act 2014), so this is the start of a process that runs for years.

On the policy backdrop: this is current law in England. The Government's Schools White Paper of February 2026 set out a direction of travel for SEND reform, but EHC plans and their reviews are unchanged for now - no changes are due before September 2030, and children who already hold a plan are protected. Plan around the rules that apply today.

This page is general information, not clinical or legal advice.