Explain

Plans for young people aged 19 to 25

A plan can continue past 19, until the end of the academic year in which the young person turns 25. When deciding whether to assess someone over 18, the council must ask a question. Do they need more time than most others of the same age without special educational needs to finish education or training? When reviewing or deciding whether to re-assess or cease, the council must have regard to whether the plan's education or training outcomes have been achieved.

The Code of Practice says a plan may be ended when a young person enters higher education, such as university. A plan cannot name a university, because universities are not post-16 institutions under the Act, and higher education does not count as education for this part of the Act. The Act defines the academic year as the 12 months ending on a date set by the Regulations. At an institution in the further education sector, such as a further education college, it ends on 31 July. For a young person on an apprenticeship, it ends on the date the apprenticeship training finishes. In all other cases, it ends on the day their course is due to end. In those last two cases, it ends instead on the day before they turn 26, if that is earlier. Plenda does not work out this date.

Type of rule

Law (Act or Regulations)

Rule id

plans_19_to_25

Rules version

england-2026.10

Law as at

30 September 2026

Sources

• Children and Families Act 2014, s 46Law (Act or Regulations)
• SEND Regulations 2014, reg 46Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 36(10)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 44(5)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 45(3)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 83(4)(b)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 83(2)Law (Act or Regulations), to verifyRead on legislation.gov.uk (revised, no outstanding effects): as amended, s 83(2) excludes from "post-16 institution" an institution within the higher education sector that is solely or principally concerned with providing higher education, not every institution in that sector. The amending provision (F1) could not be read and is still to be confirmed.
• SEND Code of Practice 2015, para 9.201Official guidance

Related

• Young person (and when the rights move to them)
• Higher education, paid work or an apprenticeship
• Ceasing (ending) a plan
• Preparing for adulthood
• Mental capacity and representatives

All words explained · The rulebook