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Is Developing Life Skills Considered Education?
Parents sometimes contact us with questions about whether developing life skills can count as education within an Education, Health and Care Plan. This can be particularly important for young people who may struggle with independence and daily living tasks.
In a recent video on our Education Law TikTok channel, Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors, explains when life skills training may fall within educational provision.
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Book on EventbriteIs Developing Life Skills Considered Education?
Beverley Watkins explains when life skills training may count as special educational provision within an EHCP and why the link between the young person’s needs and the support required is so important.
Video by Beverley Watkins, Managing Partner at Watkins Solicitors.
Can Life Skills Be Educational Provision?
Life skills may well be considered education, depending on the young person’s special educational needs.
If a young person is unable to cook, clean, manage personal care, or maintain themselves safely and independently, teaching those skills can be an essential part of their education. For some young people, developing independence is a key educational outcome.
Cleaning and Daily Living
Learning how to manage household and daily living tasks may form part of developing independence.
Personal Care
Support and teaching around personal care can be educational where it is required because of identified special educational needs.
Safety and Independence
Skills that help a young person maintain themselves safely and participate more independently in adult life may be important educational outcomes.
What Matters Is the Link to Need
The question is not whether life skills sound educational in general. The key issue is whether the life skills training is required to meet the specific needs identified in the EHCP.
If life skills support is necessary to enable the young person to progress towards independence or adulthood outcomes, it may properly form part of the educational provision.
1
Identified Need
The EHCP identifies a special educational need affecting independence or daily living.
2
Educational Outcome
The young person needs to develop skills to progress towards independence or preparation for adulthood.
3
Specified Provision
The teaching or support required to meet that need may then form part of the special educational provision.
Where Would It Appear in an EHCP?
If life skills training is considered educational provision, it should be clearly specified in Section F of the EHCP. Section F sets out the special educational provision that the local authority must secure.
The provision should be detailed and specific, rather than vague or general, so that it is clear what support will be delivered.
Why This Matters
Understanding whether life skills training should sit within Section F of an EHCP can make a significant difference to the level of enforceable support a young person receives.
Questions About Life Skills Provision in an EHCP?
If you would like advice about life skills provision, EHCP wording or whether support should be included in Section F, our specialist Education Law team can advise on the plan and possible next steps.
Watch the Video and Get Support
The full video, featuring Beverley Watkins answering this parent question, is available above and on our Education Law TikTok channel.
If you would like advice about life skills provision, EHCP wording, or whether support should be included in Section F, our specialist Education Law team is here to help.
You can contact us by emailing education@watkinssolicitors.co.uk or calling 0117 939 0350 to discuss your situation and next steps.
Education Law TikTok
Our Education Law TikTok features short videos from the Watkins Solicitors Education Law team answering common questions about EHCPs, SEND provision, school placements, Annual Reviews and SEND Tribunal appeals.
Follow @watkinssolicitors.sen for practical explanations from our specialist team and to see our latest SEND and Education Law videos.