16-25 Age Group

The Special Educational Needs (SEN) or Disability (SEND) reforms introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014 introduces new rights and protections for those aged 16 up to 25 years.

It is important that all young people with SEN are prepared effectively for adulthood and the outcomes specified in the EHC plan should show clearly how they will enable young people to progress towards their aspirations. For young people approaching their 19th birthday and older, the annual review process should be used to consider whether continuing to maintain an EHC plan will enable young people to achieve their outcomes. Young people aged 19-25 who do not have an EHC plan continue to have the right to request an assessment at any point prior to their 25th birthday and have the right to appeal to the SEN Tribunal if they do not agree with a local authority's decisions.

Educational Psychologists have historically been trained to work with young people up to 19 years but now need new skills to look at the challenges faced by older students particularly in the field of employment and the world of work.

Ruth Birnbaum has achieved a Certificate of Competence in Psychological Practice 16-25 (Approved by The British Psychological Society) in September 2014. The course, run by REAL Training, was supervised by an expert senior educational psychologist in this age group and it took one year. To gain the certificate, four pieces of work had to be submitted and assessed which reflected not only new competences but was also accepted by the Good Practice Guide from the HCPC.

If you require an assessment for this age group, please contact the educational psychology practice to discuss.

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"After many weeks of waiting we were finally informed yesterday that the appeal has been successful and D will be reinstated on the 3rd year of the medical course as from September 2015"
Rix - Nov 2014

"Many thanks for the Assessment Report on T.  We both marvel at your ability to review so many various documents and succinctly pull out the essence of the various issues with T and write such an excellent report."
Mr & Mrs Salsbury
December 2014
(A post-19 assessment using the EHC plan)