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When the EHCP ends - what then?!

Kate Kestrel

Does anyone have any thoughts they’d like to share on what to do when a young person’s EHCP runs out when they reach 25?
My son isn’t far off from this happening - and it’s quite a worry. He has a little support at the moment with online one to one tuition - but this won’t be funded once the EHCP ends - so that will finish. What happens in terms of support and help for young autistic adults when their EHCP ends? Is there basically nothing?! No help or support at all?

If anyone has any advice or experience with this I’d really appreciate hearing how people dealt with this. Because I’m not sure what we’re going to do. Thanks. 

  • in reply to Kate Kestrel

    Totally get that. There is support out there, it's just not as always to find after 25. I think it can be a bit of a post code lottery as well tbh 

  • in reply to Expecto_Patronum

    Thank you - I appreciate your response. I think that because we’ve always had some sort of support (though often not the best support if truth be told!) it feels unsettling to see that end and we need to start thinking differently and looking at other options. Thanks for your comments :)

  • in reply to NAS36756

    That’s extremely helpful - thank you so much  - I will look at the things you mention. 

  • As stated by someone else, the EHCP is essentially for Educational support, and normally ends at 25 because most do not require it beyond that age.  

    Sunshine support  offers some information on their site which may be of help to you going forward.  I wish you well 


    sunshine-support.org/.../

  • It is a worry, we have been in the same situation. We carried on with speech and language therapy privately after our daughters  EHCP ended. Sadly there seems to be little support. It’s almost as if at the age of 25 everything is ok and no support needed.

     If your son is thinking about work options then Ambitious About Autism have intern and work opportunities in different areas of the country , so it might be worth looking at their website and signing up for their alerts.  It also depends what area you live in too, there may be some charities locally which help support young people, either through befriending or social clubs/ activities or work opportunities.  You could try social services to see if your young man is eligible for any support under the Care Act. If your son is thinking about higher education such as college then he should  be eligible for a government grant called the ‘disabled  support allowance’ DSA which helps fund support at uni or college. It is not a loan but a grant which does not need paying back. Hope this helps a little. I totally understand what you are going through and hope you find the support your son needs. 

  • The EHCP is for education only. Most have stopped education by 25. If he were to continue in some sort of education such as going to college, they would still be required to make adjustments for him, it would just be documented by the facility itself rather than in an EHCP. Do you mind me asking what his tuition is for?

    There are options out there for adults with disabilities. If he wants to continue with education there are skills for life courses. Some charities for autism will also provide courses to help them make their steps into the adult world.

    There can also be places that are set up to give them an experience of the working world like in cafes and parks. It isn't paid work and they are supported to do it but it can help them gain skills. Sometimes this is through charities and sometimes it can be put in place by social services.