EHCP to Adult Social Care at 18: What Providers Must Understand in 2026
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The transition from EHCP-funded support into adult social care is one of the most misunderstood parts of the LD/autism pathway. Providers often assume funding or provision will continue “as is”, but EHCPs end at 19 (and sometimes earlier), whereas adult social care is driven by the Care Act, not education legislation.
Two useful pages that strengthen provider readiness are: Bid Writing Support for Providers and Bid Proofreading. Both help ensure your service models and evidence align with what councils require for post-18 pathways.
What actually changes at 18?
Support moves from education outcomes to Care Act eligible needs. This shift means councils can only fund needs that meet statutory eligibility — not the wider developmental outcomes used in education.
Why this matters for providers
If your model is built around EHCP expectations (1:1 all day, broad therapeutic support, education-led outcomes), you may be misaligned with what adult social care can legally fund.
Three areas providers must understand
1. How Care Act eligibility is assessed
Most families have never heard of the Care Act until transition. Providers who can explain eligibility, outcomes and support planning build significant trust with councils and families.
2. What support is (and is not) fundable
Adult social care will fund eligible needs around safety, wellbeing, daily living, participation and independence. Non-care elements of an EHCP often fall away unless another service funds them.
3. How post-18 pathways are commissioned
Supported Living, community support and Preparing for Adulthood pathways are usually commissioned via frameworks or DPS arrangements. Understanding the local commissioning route reduces delay and avoids mismatched expectations.
The role of providers in making transitions work
Councils increasingly rely on providers to prepare young people early, engage families honestly and ensure housing and workforce plans are in place ahead of time.
With large transition cohorts expected in 2026–2028, providers who understand the legal, financial and commissioning shifts at 18 will deliver smoother transitions and secure commissioner confidence far more quickly.
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- 🆘 Bid Rescue Session – 60 minutes
- ✍️ Score Booster – Tender Answer Rewrite (500–2000 words)
- 🧩 Tender Answer Blueprint
- 📝 Tender Proofreading & Light Editing
- 🔍 Pre-Tender Readiness Audit
- 📁 Tender Document Review
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