Introduction

If your child or young person with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) is about to go through a change, they may feel excited, nervous, or worried. These feelings can affect both you, your child and other family members.

Preparing for, and getting used to change, is commonly referred to as transition.

Why transitions matter

Helping your child prepare for big changes, like moving to a new school or starting college, can make the transition a more positive experience.

The SEND code of practice explains how important transitions are, especially when moving between different stages of education. This applies to:

• children and young people who get special educational needs (SEN) support
• those with an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

You can read the SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years on the GOV.UK website.

Good transition planning

Planning ahead can help make transitions easier. Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) often need:

• more time to adjust to changes
• extra support to understand what’s happening
• a clear plan to help them feel comfortable and confident.

Types of transition

Children go through many transitions in their life. Key educational transitions include:

• Early years to primary school
• Primary to secondary school
• Secondary school to further education, training or work (including preparing for adulthood).

Other transitions can involve moving to a new:

• education key stage
• year group
• school - for example, if they are moving to a new home.

Support from the education setting

Education settings should work with you and your child to make sure the move is as smooth and positive as possible. They should:

• Meet to talk about transition plans for children with additional needs, even if they don’t have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).
• Share your child’s needs with the new setting early.
• Invite you and any professionals involved with your child to a meeting to create the transition plan and agree on the next steps.

Extra support they may offer

• Getting used to the new environment and routine

  • Extra visits to see the new place and meet new people when it is quiet
  • Photos of the new setting, which could be part of a social story
  • Visual maps of the site or daily timetables
  • A transition pack with information about the new setting, including routines
  • Prompt cards or checklists as visual reminders of new people or routines
  • Social stories to help your child prepare for the change.
• Help to build a relationship with the new setting

  • A main person for you to contact, like the new class teacher or a member of the school’s support team
  • Extra help from the pastoral team
  • A ‘one-page profile’ with key information about your child for the new school.
• Specialist adaptations

  • Working with health professionals to adapt the learning environment and make it accessible
  • Specialist training for staff
  • Specialist equipment or resources to help with learning
  • An individual support plan for your child.