This is part of our series of guides for parents of deaf children. You can also read: Deaf children birth to 5 | Deaf children at school (ages 5 to 16) | Back to the main deaf children page.
The transition from school to adult life is a significant moment for any young person. For deaf young people, it can bring additional challenges — new environments without the familiar support structures of school, changes to benefits, and the need to self-advocate in a world that is not always set up for deaf communication needs.
But it is also a time of real opportunity. Deaf young people who have strong language, a clear sense of their own identity, and the right practical support go on to thrive in higher education, careers and independent life. This guide sets out the key things to know.
EHC plans — what changes at 16 and 25
Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans do not stop at 16. They can continue to cover young people in further education — including college, sixth form and apprenticeships — until the age of 25.
However, some things do change at 16:
- From age 16, the young person themselves has the right to make decisions about their EHC plan — not just their parents or carers
- From age 16, the young person can request an EHC needs assessment themselves
- EHC plans do not cover university — support at university comes through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) instead
The annual review at around year 9 (age 13–14) is particularly important — it should include a transition plan setting out what the young person’s goals are for adulthood and what support will help them get there.
College and sixth form
The support available at college or sixth form is similar in principle to school — communication support workers, note-takers, radio aids, and BSL interpreters can all be funded through the EHC plan. However, colleges vary significantly in their experience of supporting deaf students.
Key questions to ask a college:
- Do you have experience supporting deaf students who use BSL?
- Is there a named contact for students with hearing impairment?
- What communication support can you provide in the classroom?
- Do you have a hearing loop system throughout the building?
If the college cannot meet your young person’s needs through its own provision, the EHC plan should fund additional support.
University — Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
EHC plans do not extend to university, but deaf students can access significant support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). This is a grant — it does not need to be paid back.
DSA can fund:
- BSL interpreters for lectures, seminars and tutorials
- Note-takers or speech-to-text reporters
- Specialist software (including captioning tools)
- Specialist equipment
Students apply for DSA through Student Finance England. A needs assessment will determine what support is provided. Universities also have their own disability support teams — contact them early, before the course starts.
Disabled Students’ Allowance — GOV.UK
Employment — Access to Work
Access to Work is one of the most valuable but least-known schemes for deaf people in employment. It is a government grant that pays for the support a deaf employee needs to do their job — including BSL interpreters, communication support workers, and specialist equipment.
It is available to:
- People who are employed (including self-employed)
- People who have a job offer
- People doing a work trial or supported internship
Access to Work is applied for by the employee (not the employer), and the grant goes directly to pay for support. Employers often don’t know this scheme exists — part of your young person’s preparation for work may be helping them understand how to explain Access to Work to a future employer.
→ Full Access to Work guide for deaf people (coming soon)
Benefits — what changes at 16
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children stops when a young person turns 16. At 16, they can claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. PIP has different eligibility criteria to DLA and the assessment process is different — it usually involves a face-to-face or telephone assessment with a health professional.
It is worth applying for PIP before DLA runs out. The NDCS helpline can advise on the PIP assessment process and provide support if a claim is refused.
Personal Independence Payment — GOV.UK
Finding deaf-friendly work
The transition into work is one of the most important steps for deaf young people — and one where the right support can make an enormous difference. Some practical starting points:
- Look for employers who are signed up to the Disability Confident scheme — these employers have committed to inclusive recruitment practices.
- Prepare to talk about Access to Work in job interviews — knowing how to explain the scheme confidently shows self-awareness and makes the conversation easier for everyone.
Use the NDCS Louder Than Words charter to identify employers who have committed to deaf-friendly workplaces.
MK Deaf Zone also has a dedicated guide to finding deaf-friendly work.
Social life, identity and community
For many deaf young people, the transition to adulthood is also a time of deepening connection with Deaf culture and identity. This is a positive thing — a strong sense of Deaf identity is associated with better mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
Many deaf clubs across the UK have closed in recent years, but there are still ways to connect:
- The Buzz (NDCS) is a social space for deaf young people with events, forums and meetups
- Facebook groups such as HearMeOut connect deaf young adults across the UK
- MK Deaf Zone runs social activities in and around Milton Keynes, including badminton and community meetups
The Buzz — for deaf young people
MK Deaf Zone community activities
Mental health and wellbeing
The transition to adulthood can be a mentally challenging period for deaf young people — particularly if they are leaving a school where they had good support and entering environments that are less well-equipped. Isolation, communication fatigue and the effort of navigating a hearing world are real challenges.
SignHealth offers mental health support specifically for deaf people in BSL, including counselling and wellbeing resources. In a mental health crisis, text DEAF to 85258 to reach the SHOUT text-based crisis service.
This guide is part of MK Deaf Zone’s series for parents and families of deaf children. Share it with others who might find it useful, and get in touch if there is anything we should add