2. SEND transition advice
When a child or young person with a special educational need and/or disability (SEND) approaches a change in their educational setting, or a new phase in their education, they may experience a range of emotions including excitement, anticipation and anxiety. This can affect both the child or young person and their parents or carers.
Additional support for children and young people with SEND could include:
- Organising extra visits for children and young people with SEND to give them more time to get used to the setting and people.
- Taking photos of the new setting and looking at them with the children and young people to keep the new setting fresh and familiar in their mind.
- Introducing prompt cards or checklists to help them remember what to do/where to go
- Using social stories to help prepare the children and young people for change.
- Using a ‘My new school’ booklet or transition pack to introduce key changes and give information about the new setting.
- Giving out a clear map of the site and/or timetables.
- Identifying a ‘go to’ person for children and young people and families to contact.
- Working with health professionals to adapt the learning environment and ensure accessibility.
- Organising specialist training for staff.
- Providing specialist equipment or resources to facilitate access to learning.
- Completing a ‘my usual week looks like this’ timetable with CYP and their parents/carers to provide additional background information to pass on to the new setting
Transition Resources for KS1
My First Day at School - A great game from the BBC KS1 support section to play with your child. Help your child create his/her character and pick a school jumper, then explore the school and find all the different activities to play.
Visit the BBC Bitesize website to access the game - My First Day at School
Transition Resources for Year 6 pupils
As part of their Resilience programme for Young People, Shared Health have created a set of resources for Year 6's transitioning to secondary school.
Support when leaving school to go to college or work
Leaving school to go into post-16 education or work is a really big step for everyone and needs lots of time and planning, which normally starts when or before the young person is 13 years old.
The most important person to be involved in planning ahead is the young person. This means being supported to make the choices that will enable them to be in control of preparing for adulthood
Their parents/carers should help the young person to think about the things they want to do and plan for their future. Help them think about all the people who could be involved. They could be teachers, transition or guidance advisers, social workers (if they have one), plus anyone else who the young person and their parent/carers think can help them to make choices. If the young person wants to, these people could be asked to join a circle of support.
If the young person is continuing their education post-16, planning and preparation needs to be given to what their study programme will involve.
Travelling Independently
If the young person is at a stage in their life when they are planning to travel independently then for children and young people with a special educational need and/or disability (SEND) this will require additional planning and preparation.
Accessing travel training will support SEND children, young people, and families with information and advice on how to make journeys using public transport safely and confidently on their own.