When your child has SEND, it’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day battle—
The EHCP.
The placement.
The transport.
The meltdowns before school.
The exclusions.
The tribunals.
The sleepless nights and endless paperwork.
We become warriors for education, because we have to be.
But here’s something most of us don’t get the time—or emotional energy—to say out loud:
What happens after school?
What does their future look like—with us, or without us?
We Fight for Support Now—But What About Later?
Most parents aren’t just thinking about Year 7 or GCSEs.
We’re quietly asking ourselves things like:
- Will they be able to live independently?
- Who will support them if we’re not here?
- What happens when services fall away at 18 or 25?
- Will they have friends, relationships, purpose, joy?
And maybe hardest of all:
Will they be safe when we’re gone?
These are not thoughts we get to explore easily.
Because the system keeps us stuck in short-term fire-fighting mode.
Thinking Long-Term Doesn’t Mean Giving Up On Now
It’s not about accepting less for your child today. It’s about preparing for tomorrow.
💡 It means thinking about skills, not just grades.
💡 Teaching them how to speak up for themselves—even if that’s through tech, visuals, or a trusted person.
💡 Building in self-care and coping strategies that will carry them beyond the school system.
💡 Focusing on relationships and life experience as much as reading levels.
💡 Thinking about supported living, future carers, or siblings—even if it breaks your heart to plan for it.
The Future Doesn’t Have to Be Scary—It Just Needs To Be Thought About
You know your child. You know their strengths, challenges, sensitivities, and spark.
Nobody is better placed than you to start planting seeds now that will support the person they are becoming.
Start small. Start honest.
Talk to professionals about transitions—not just between key stages, but between life stages.
Ask about life skills pathways, post-18 planning, and supported internships.
And most importantly—talk to your child. What brings them joy? What feels hard? What do they dream of?
You’re Not Just Raising a Child—You’re Growing an Adult
And you’re doing it in a system that makes you fight for every step.
That’s why the future feels so overwhelming.
But the fact that you’re even thinking about it—that you’ve asked these questions—means you’re already one step ahead.
If you need help planning for what comes after school—or just someone who understands why this matters so much—come by AskEllie.co.uk.
We’re not just here for the battles.
We’re here for the life you’re building beyond them.
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