Transition from an EHCP to Adult Social Care

Created: 7 January 2026

What is an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan

An Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan is a legal document in England designed to support children and young people aged 0–25 who have special educational needs (SEN) and/or disabilities that require more help than a mainstream setting can provide. It sets out the individual’s needs across education, health, and social care, ensuring a coordinated approach to meeting those needs.

The purpose of an EHC plan is to identify the specific outcomes a child or young person should achieve and detail the provision required to reach those outcomes. It includes information such as the individual’s aspirations, current level of functioning, and the support strategies needed. The plan is person-centred, meaning it focuses on the child or young person’s views and goals, and it involves collaboration between families, schools, local authorities, and relevant health and social care professionals.

An EHC plan typically contains several sections, including:

The plan is legally enforceable, meaning local authorities must ensure the specified support is delivered. It is reviewed annually to adapt to changing needs and circumstances. Unlike previous systems, EHC plans integrate education, health, and social care into one document, promoting a holistic approach to support and improving long-term outcomes for individuals with complex needs.

When does an EHC plan cease?

An EHC plan will generally cease when the young person is aged 25, or when the young person leaves education. However, the young person may still have social care needs which require a provision when their EHC plan has ceased. Where this is the case, the adult social care department at the local authority has a duty to meet their eligible care and support needs.

Who is eligible for adult care and support once an EHC plan ceases?

Adult social care eligibility in England is determined by the Care Act 2014 and the accompanying Care and Support (Eligibility Criteria) Regulations 2015. An individual is eligible for support if they meet all three of the following conditions:

  1. Their needs arise from an impairment or Illness - The adult must have care and support needs due to a physical or mental impairment or illness.
  2. They are unable to achieve two or more specified outcomes - Because of these needs, the person must be unable to achieve at least two of the following outcomes:

A person is considered unable if they can’t perform the task without assistance, or they can perform the task without assistance and it causes significant pain, distress, or anxiety, endangers their health or safety—or that of others, or it takes significantly longer than normal to perform the task.

  1. Significant Impact on Well‑being - This inability must have—or likely to have—a significant impact on the person’s well-being, which includes:

If an individual meets all three criteria, the local authority is legally obligated to provide care and support to meet eligible needs. Those with non-eligible needs should still be offered information, advice, and preventative services.

What adult care and support is available to young people when their EHC plan ceases?

Following an assessment of the person’s care and support needs, sometimes referred to as a Care Act assessment, or adult social care assessment, a determination will be made of the provision required to meet the person’s care and support needs. This may be anything from support inside the home, outside the home, accessing employment, education or training, or where the person lives. Where the person’s care and support needs are not being met elsewhere (this may be family, friends or community resources), these needs are eligible needs (needs eligible for a provision from the local authority).

Adult care and support from the local authority can vary depending upon the person’s eligible care and support needs. If the person already has a home (they may continue to live with their parents), the provision is often support inside the home, in the community and support to work, access education or volunteering opportunities. Support inside the home may include a personal assistant to help the person develop their independent living skills further and maintain their safety. Support outside the home may include a personal assistant to help the person travel with more independence, maintain their safety and access recreational facilities alone or with their friends.

If the person does not have a home, or plans to move from their home (which may be living with their parents), accommodation may be provided by the local authority. Where the person also requires care and support accommodation is usually in a residential care home or supported living provision. Care homes usually provide 24/7 care and support, and are for people with high levels of care and support needs including the need for overnight care. The accommodation and care are typically provided by the same company. Supported living is a concept whereby the accommodation and care are separate entities and can be provided by either the same company or two different companies. People living in supported living usually require less care and support compared to those living in residential provision. Some specialist supported living provisions provide 24/7 support and have workshops and activities on site as well as supporting people to access community provision. When a person reaches the age of 18, the concept of parental responsibility ceases. Therefore, local authorities cannot insist parents continue to provide care, support and accommodation. Where this is the case, the local authority must meet any eligible care and support needs to maintain the wellbeing of the person.

Summary

When a young person’s EHC Plan ceases, they may still have eligible care and support needs which require a provisions from the adult social care department of the Local Authority. The provision required from the Local Authority can be varied and is dependent upon the person’s assessed care and support needs. A common provision is the support of a personal assistant, supported living, or residential care homes. However, sometimes a specialist provision such as a specialist supported living provision or specialist care home is required.