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Preparing for Adulthood

College · Warmley Park School & College

Preparing for
Adulthood (PfA)

Our Post-16 curriculum is built around the national Preparing for Adulthood framework — supporting every young person to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to lead a fulfilling and independent adult life.

Post-16 Framework Est. September 2025

Why PfA matters

"Being supported towards greater independence and employability can be life-transforming for children and young people with SEN — and should centre around the child or young person's own aspirations, interests and needs."

Section 7.37 — SEND Code of Practice

The national framework

The Five Key Messages of the PfA Framework

Personalise your approach
Develop a shared vision
Improve Post-16/19 options and support
Raise aspirations
Plan services together

The four pillars of PfA

ES

Employment
and skills for life

Pillar 1

Continue to develop functional academic skills
Develop wider skills for life outside of the classroom
Experience a full and robust Careers journey for ALL
Explore transition pathways, Work Experience (WEX) and routes to employment
IS

Independent Living
and advocacy

Pillar 2

Support daily department life by completing simple skills, roles and responsibilities
Develop skills towards self-care and self-sufficiency
Have a voice and choice about money and the skills to use it
Know the options for the future for how and where to live
CS

Community Inclusion
and contribution

Pillar 3

Visit and engage with the local community and contribute to wider social activity
Understand the law and the role we play as active citizens
Make choices about daily provision, care and support
Be safe online, at home and in the community
HS

Health
and wellbeing

Pillar 4

Manage diet and physical activity to be healthy and well
Make personal choices towards a positive lifestyle
Access the activities and services we need to be happy
Manage choices as we move from childhood to adulthood

PfA outcomes

What are PfA outcomes?

"An outcome is the benefit or difference made to an individual as a result of an intervention."
Section 9.66 — SEND Code of Practice

Using these outcomes can:

  • Support development of creative and meaningful ways to achieve and demonstrate progress for ALL learners (under any or all of the PfA pillars)
  • Be a positive starting point for discussion and review — not a limited or exhaustive list of potential and possibility
  • Support setting of long and medium-term outcomes in an EHCP, but also as 'next step' short-term outcomes in an IEP, especially at times of transition
  • Be applied or adapted at any age or stage of development — indicators associated with earlier childhood milestones may still continue to be important for a young person
  • Support an individualised approach to learning, supporting as independent a life as possible. When supporting a young person with a life-limiting condition, these outcomes can focus on progress in a sensitive way

Measuring success

As a school, how will
we know we are successful?

Our PfA provision is shaped by national guidance from South Gloucestershire Council and the NDTI. We hold ourselves to seven clear markers of success.

South Glos Council — Section 8.1 PfA Guidance

The school will have a culture of high aspirations for all Children and Young People (CYP) and gives a high priority to preparing them for adulthood.

The school's strategic vision for PfA is shaped by the views of CYP with SEND and their parents and carers.

School leadership ensures that all teachers understand their responsibilities for preparing CYP for adulthood.

School leaders promote a range of local partnerships and networks to support CYP's progress towards PfA outcomes.

The school critically analyses and reflects on the outcomes, achievements and destinations of CYP with SEND, to inform the development of PfA.

The school works closely with CYP and their families to ensure a smooth transition between key stages and into adulthood.

The school critically analyses and reflects on the views and experiences of CYP with SEND and their parents and carers, to inform the development of PfA.

Full curriculum document

Download our
Post-16 PfA Framework

Warmley Park School and College — Curriculum Provision Post-16 — September 2025 · PDF

Download PDF

Our Post-16 curriculum offer embraces the five key messages and four pillars of the national PfA framework as outlined by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTI). For more information visit ndti.org.uk. The PfA Outcomes used in our curriculum are developed with guidance from the Durham County Council PfA Outcomes Toolkit.