Transition Planning
Overview
The term ‘education transition’ is when a child or young person moves into, within, between or out of an educational setting.
Transition planning is the process of preparing for these changes. Preparation is important for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is because it creates a clear, structured roadmap throughout education. This reduces the chance of the child or young person following a route less suitable for them.
Key educational transition stages are:
- starting early years
- early years to primary school
- key stages within primary school (Early Years to Key Stage 1 (KS1) / KS1 to KS2)
- primary to secondary school
- secondary school to further education or work and preparing for adulthood
- education to onward progression (employment)
Education Transitions
Transitions can cause anxiety for some children and young people. To ensure a smooth transition, it is important for parents, education staff and other professionals to work together. This will allow the child / young person to receive the help and support they need.
Transition between settings can be smoother if your child / young person has:
- regular visits to their new school or college
- the opportunity to meet key staff
- visits to their current school or college from staff that will be working with them in the future
- their new timetable so they can talk about any concerns before they start
- a visual timetable if necessary
- the opportunity to try out lunchtime arrangements at their new school or college
- their transport planned, including any travel training they may need
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities website hosts a useful guide. The guide aims to help children with the transition to secondary school:
Preparing for Adulthood
From around year 8 / 9 your child should be encouraged to think about what they may like to do in the future. This includes:
- further or higher education
- training or work experience
- employment
- independent living
- interests and hobbies within their community
- thinking about their health needs
By the age of 13 / 14 someone from your child’s school will be responsible for co-ordinating a transition meeting.
The meeting will include discussion about plans for the future. This should involve your child and have details of their hopes and dreams. It should also include a plan of how they will receive support to achieve them.
You can find more useful information for young people transitioning into adulthood on:
- our College and Adult Life (16+) pages
- the Careers East Sussex website
- the Preparing for Adulthood website
Transition Planning with an EHCP
Phase transfers is the name for transitions when a child or young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
It can be useful to consider holding an annual review in your child or young person's new educational setting.
If you have any concerns about the child or young person's progress when they have started school or college, arrange to meet their teacher or the school Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo).
IPSEA are the Independent Provider of Special Education Advice. They have a website that provides further information on planning the move to a new school for children with an EHCP:
To learn more about EHCPs, please visit Education, Health and Care Plans.
Preparing for Adulthood with an EHCP
Planning for your child's future starts at age 13 (Year 9), if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHCP).
As well as the statutory requirement to review the EHCP, it will also include planning for transition into adulthood. This allows enough time to start thinking and planning for their future options.
It is important to help your child or young person to think about what they like and their hopes for the future. This will help you get the most out of the preparing for adulthood review and transition planning. Some children or young people will need more support to do this. It may be helpful to ask others who know them well what they think.
At the Year 11 EHCP review meeting, their will need to be decisions about post-16 options.
Applications for school or college should be made in the autumn term of Year 11 (at age 15).
To learn more about review meetings, please visit EHCP: Reviews.
Post-16 Transition
What is transition planning?
Transition planning is about helping your young person feel confident and prepared for their next step after school. It's a supportive process where you, your child, and the people who know them well work together to think about their interests, strengths and future goals. This might include:
- choosing the right college, training or other opportunities, while also
- building the skills they need to become more independent and successful in adult life.
What do post-16 settings do?
- Year 10 taster sessions to give young people an early experience of college or courses
- Open days and open evenings to explore the setting, meet staff, and ask questions
- Personalised tours to help your young person feel comfortable and familiar with the environment
- Assemblies or presentations in schools to share information about available pathways
- Attendance at careers fairs and local events to provide advice and guidance
- Transition days or programmes in Year 11 to help students settle in before starting
- Parent / carer information events to explain support, courses and expectations
- Opportunities to meet support staff and discuss individual needs
What could parents / carers do?
- Attend review meetings and share your thoughts about what matters most for your child
- Visit local colleges or training providers to get a feel for different environments
- Encourage your young person to build everyday independence. For example, travel, managing money and / or making choices
- Think about health and wellbeing needs alongside education choices
- Make a simple plan of key dates and steps to keep everything on track
- Ask for support from their SEND team in an interview
- Discuss what your young person may need to help them transition successfully
Additional Help and Support
Our SEND-specific directory, on 1Space, provides services that help with transition into adult life. Services include:
- employment support
- advice, guidance and information
- activities and events for young people
- mental health and wellbeing support
- youth groups
Visit the 16+ Transition to Adult Life category on 1Space.
Amaze SENDIASS
Amaze SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) are a local charity. They offer free, independent, and impartial advice for all matters relating to SEND. Contact Amaze SENDIASS by:
- Phone - 01273 772 289
- Email - sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk
Visit the Amaze SENDIASS web page.
Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms
We explain some of the terms used on this website on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.