Special Educational Needs and Disability Pathfinder Programme evaluation: thematic report: provision for older young people, aged 19-25

SQW was commissioned by the UK Department for Education to lead a consortium of organisations to undertake the evaluation of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disabilities Pathfinder Programme. This report focuses on the approach being taken to support a particular sub-group of the pathfinder cohort, young people aged 19 plus, based on evidence gathered from five case study areas (four pathfinder areas and one non-pathfinder area). The report provides further insight into two broad areas: the criteria and guidance which will inform support to this client group; and the nature of provision that will be offered to them. Key learning points include: the older age group (of 19-25) has generally not been high priority in terms of mapping out services, the development of local provision (other than education) and engaging services towards joined and integrated commissioning; all areas feel that their work with children services and post-16 providers have formed a sound basis on which they can build their work for developing processes and provision for those aged 19 and over; in order to be able to offer local provision in preparing the young people for adult life, areas are now looking to identify the aspirations of the young people from Year 9 at school (age 14) and develop pathways to ensure appropriate and timely provision is put in place to help young people achieve their intended outcomes; and all areas have now a much wider recognition that for the older young people the focus must be on preparation for adulthood, including employment and independent living.

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