Planning for the future, experiencing life changes and gaining skills and knowledge when preparing for adulthood is an important time in any young person’s life.
The following information is to help you and your young person in preparing for adulthood and to make you aware of support that may be available. Transition support from other agencies may continue until the young person is 25.
For those with an EHCP there is a post-16 transfer process that needs to be completed (the guidance regarding this can be found in SEND Code of Practice 9.180-9.182).
In some cases, transitions happen after the initial post-16 transition, for instance from a sixth form to a college or other institution, the resources in the sections below can provide advice and guidance in those situations also.
Guidance and resources for young people aged 16 and over
- Making the move to university: transition guides
- BOSS - transition key adult guide post-16 (PDF, 895KB) - a guide for parents, carers and school staff helping young people understand the options available to them after year 11.
- Securing good transitions resource pack (PDF, 7.6MB) - a guide for school staff helping young people with special educational needs and disabilities moving on from year 11.
- Ambitious about autism post-16 toolkit - a toolkit for young people preparing to leave year 11. Although written for learners with autism, many young people will find this resource useful.
- Pupil passport - blank (PDF, 83KB) - a simple form to help children and young people share what helps them as well as their likes and dislikes. Parents, carers or staff may complete this with or for the child or young person, depending on their age and needs.
- Supporting resilience workbook - a guide aimed at young people starting secondary school. Parents, carers or school staff may need to support the young person to work through the guide.
Information and resources for parents and carers
- Supporting learners with autism during transition (PDF, 3.9MB) - a guide for parents, carers and staff. Although written for learners with autism, the practical strategies and resources in this guide would be helpful for most children and young people.
- BBC Bitesize - Tips for visiting schools - things for parents and carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities to consider when visiting schools.
- Whole school SEND transition resources for parents and carers
Information and resources for staff in schools and colleges
- Transition ideas (PDF, 129KB) - things for staff in nurseries, schools and colleges to consider when a child or young person with SEND will be starting at their setting.
- National Development Team for Inclusion - guidance and resources for parents, carers and staff.
- Transition meeting (PDF, 79KB) - a transition meeting template which helps highlights support that may be required.
- Pupil passport - example (PDF, 159KB) - a completed example of a simple form to help children and young people share what helps them as well as their likes and dislikes. Parents, carers or staff may complete this with or for the child or young person, depending on their age and needs.
- Who, where, when, what (PDF, 505KB) - a resource which helps to answer questions children and young people might have when moving to a new class or school. Parents, carers or staff can help fill these in with words or pictures.
- Young Minds YouTube video for staff - supporting transitions - a webinar for staff supporting children and young people with transitions.
- Transitions - planning for families (PDF, 152KB) - this resource uses symbols to help children and young people understand what will change and what will stay the same when they move to a new school or college.
- Transfer form for new school, college or setting (PDF, 200KB) - a form for school and college staff to complete.