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.

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.

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.

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.

Watch the video and get support

The full video, featuring Beverley Watkins answering this parent question, is available 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.