25 and Off EHCP… Now What?

Turning 25 and leaving your Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can feel overwhelming. The EHCP has been your roadmap for education, health, and social care support, but at 25, the law says it ends. What happens now? How do you get the help you need as an adult?

This guide will walk you through what you can expect and what practical steps to take next, with clear actions and useful tips.

What is an EHCP and Why Does It End at 25?

An EHCP is a legally binding document in England that sets out the education, health, and social care support a young person with SEND should receive. It is designed to ensure that children and young adults up to the age of 25 get the help they need to access education or training, and meet their individual needs.

However, the Children and Families Act 2014 specifies that EHCPs are maintained only until the young person turns 25. After this, the local authority is no longer required to provide the same level of education-related support through an EHCP. This legal cutoff can feel abrupt and disorienting.

What Happens After 25?

After 25, your support shifts from the EHCP system to adult social care and health services. However, adult services have different rules, and not everyone gets the same support.

Local authorities will usually offer an adult care assessment to find out what help you need. You might also be eligible for benefits, job support, or voluntary services. But these supports are not automatic or guaranteed like your EHCP was.

What Can You Do Now? A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Request an Adult Care Assessment – Know What to Expect
   How: Find your local adult social care contact on your council’s website or call their main number. Sometimes, your EHCP coordinator or support worker can help connect you.

   What happens: You’ll be asked about your daily life, what support you currently get, and what help you might need moving forward. This could be support with personal care, managing your home, or getting out and about.

   Example question: “Can you help me with personal care, like getting dressed or washing, or with cooking meals?”

   Tip: Ask for the assessment in writing if possible, so you have a record. It’s okay to have someone with you for support or to take notes.

2. Explore Disability Benefits – Take Your Time to Prepare
   Common benefits: Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with extra costs caused by disability. Employment Support Allowance (ESA) can help if you want support finding or staying in work.

   How to start: Visit gov.uk to check eligibility or call the Disability Benefits Helpline (0800 121 4433).

   Example: If filling forms feels hard, local charities often offer help with benefits applications—ask if there’s someone nearby who can support you.

   Tip: Keep copies of your medical reports and your EHCP to share if needed.

3. Find Voluntary and Community Support – Connect With People Who Understand
   Where to look: Local Mencap or Scope branches often run social groups or skills workshops for adults with SEND.

   Example: Some groups offer weekly meet-ups or online forums where you can meet others and share advice.

   Tip: Check your local library or community centre notice boards for flyers or info sessions. Sometimes, councils have directories of local services.

4. Explore Further Education or Training Opportunities – Find Courses That Fit You
   How: Research local colleges, training centres, or apprenticeship programmes that offer courses you’re interested in. Many places have dedicated teams to support adults with SEND through the application and enrolment process.

   Example: Contact the college’s admissions or student support office to ask about their SEND-friendly courses, entry requirements, and available support services. Some colleges run specific vocational or skills-based courses designed for adults with learning differences.

   Tip: Ask about open days or taster sessions so you can visit and see if the course and environment feel right before committing.

5. Access Employment Support – Use Your EHCP as Evidence
   What’s available: Access to Work offers funding to pay for things like specialist equipment, support workers, or travel to work. Supported internships help you gain work experience with tailored support.

   How to apply: Speak to your local Job Centre Plus adviser and bring your EHCP or assessments to explain your needs.

   Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask for reasonable adjustments in job interviews or the workplace.

What’s Next? A Call for Better Transitions

The transition from EHCP to adult life is a critical time. Research from the Transition Information Network shows that early planning, starting well before 25, can ease the process and improve outcomes. Yet many young people report feeling unprepared and unsupported.

At SupportHub Tools, we believe this transition should be smoother, more person-centred, and better funded. This means:

• Starting Transition Planning Early: Ideally by age 16, with involvement from education, health, and social care professionals.

• Better Coordination Between Services: So adult services understand individual needs well before the EHCP ends.

• Greater Transparency and Communication: Young people and families must know their rights, options, and how to access support.

• More Investment in Adult SEND Services: To close the support gap and avoid the cliff edge

   

Moving Forward Together

If you’re 25 and coming off your EHCP, or supporting someone who is, remember you’re not alone. While the system changes, there are still pathways to support and a future that works for you.

At SupportHub Tools, we are committed to developing clear, practical guides, resources, and advocacy tools to help young adults and families navigate this complex stage. These resources are currently in development, and because real-life experiences matter most, we invite you to follow us on Threads to stay updated on our conversations and upcoming resources.

Join the community, follow our journey, and be the first to hear when new support tools become available.