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This website is only one part of the Local Offer. We also have a directory listing SEND-specific services. Visit our directory at 1space.eastsussex.gov.uk/localoffer

Transition Planning

An image displaying a child growing up. The image on the left shows 3 children, an adult, and a birthday cake with candles in it, including the number 4. The middle image shows two children in school uniform with the number 11 displayed behind them. The image on the right shows two young people holding books, with the number 16 display on one of them.

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:

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.

These discussions should take place before every transition stage. This includes a change of year / class.

Transition between settings can be smoother if your child / young person has:

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities website hosts a useful guide. The guide aims to help children with the transition to secondary school:

Education Transitions 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.

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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:

By the age of 13 / 14, someone from your child’s school will be responsible for co-ordinating a 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.

This site also has web pages that outline useful information for young people transitioning into adulthood. This includes:

School to Adulthood Guide

We have created a new transition guide, called ‘School to Adulthood’. The guide has been co-produced with local students. It aims to help young people with SEND explore their options for adulthood. It includes information on:

The guide also features videos from young people sharing their experiences:

Transitioning into College and Adult Life Guide

We also developed an online resource to support parents and carers. The resource outlines the planning and preparation for their young person’s transition into post 16 and adulthood. You can use this guide on your own, or with your child / young person:

Careers East Sussex

The Careers East Sussex website outlines various opportunities for young people with SEND. This includes finding help with educational courses and work:

Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)

PfA aims to bring together a wide range of expertise and experience of working with young people with SEND, and their families.

PfA works at a local and national level, and across government. The programme emphasizes joined-up planning across education, health and social care. 

Preparing for Adulthood focuses on four key outcomes:

You can find out more by visiting the NDTi website:

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.

Preparing for Adulthood (PfA)

PfA programme provides expertise and support to Local Authorities and their partners. This enables them to embed preparing for adulthood from the earliest years.

It also ensures that as young people with SEND move into adulthood, they achieve:

The PfA web page highlights information and resources that help young people when seeking employment. You can find out more by visiting the NDTi website:

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Additional Help and Support

Our SEND-specific directory, on 1Space, provides services that help with transition into adult life. Services include:

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:

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.

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