Kingston Maurward ‘Teen to Adult’ event hailed a great success

Hosted by the Dorset Parent-Carer Council, the annual ‘Teen to Adult’ event, now in its fifth year, was designed to give parents, carers and young people with SEND the opportunity to meet a wide range of organisations, services and potential future employers all under one roof.

The ‘Teen to Adult’ day focussed on inspiring young people to make the best transition they can from being a teenager in education to being as independent as possible in adult life.

Many services from Dorset County Council such as SEND transport, specialist support services, children and adult social care teams and the adult services transition pathways team attended. Also at the event were special school sixth forms, colleges and training providers as well as welfare and benefits advisors, housing support, a range of health services and many other providers.

Elaine Okopski from the Dorset Parent Carer Council said, “We are thrilled that the ‘Teen to Adult’ event was once again a huge success, we’ve had brilliant feedback from stallholders and the young people that attended. It really does enable parents, carers and young people to meet a wide range of organisations and services that might be involved with them and their young person. We want families to be reassured about the future of their young person, be better informed and know what questions to ask.

“Planning for the future of young people with special educational needs or disability needs to start early and be personalised. To ensure our young people get the very best opportunities, preparation for adulthood must start no later than year nine and continue every year after.”