Transitions for children and young people with SEND

Children at preschoolTransition is a word used a lot throughout the journey of our children and young people in education and during their lives. Transition is the process that happens during the different stages of education and preparing them for adulthood, and beyond.

Transition to a new school or setting is so important and a well thought out and prepared transition plan can make all the difference to a successful transition to school.

Children with additional needs and disabilities often experience high anxiety about new places and changes to their everyday routine. We’ve put together some top tips to help prepare you and your child or young person with the transition to school process.

Top tips

1 Prepare SHOW


2 Create a passport for your child/young person SHOW


3 Create a positive thought process - purchase uniform and things they need for school SHOW


4 Plan the first day of school SHOW


5 Create a positive relationship with school staff SHOW


For printable resources for Early Years transition provided by the Early Years Advisory Teaching team, please email localoffer@southampton.gov.uk and we can arrange for these to be sent to you by email.

Transition resources from Family Hub Southampton

Family hub logo

In June, we will be starting School Readiness sessions citywide to support children with getting ready to start school. If your child needs support in any of these areas, these sessions can help:

  • Listening and understanding - follow instructions and rules
  • Sharing and turn taking - share toys, play games with others
  • Eating using a knife and fork - open a packed lunch and packaging
  • Going to the toilet - using toilet and wash and dry hands without any help
  • Getting dressed and undressed - button and unbutton clothes and putting shoes on
  • Keeping to a routine - leave on time and having a good bedtime routine

There is no need to book.

Sessions will run for six weeks, covering a different topic each week with a mini graduation at the end to celebrate school readiness.

Location Dates Time
Family Hub Pickles Coppice Tuesdays 4 June-9 July 12.30-2.30pm
Family Hub Pickles Coppice Tuesdays 16 July-20 August 12.30-2.30pm
Family Hub Seashell Tuesdays 4 June-9 July 9:30-11:30am
Family Hub Cutbush Tuesdays 23 July-27 August 9:30-11:30am
Family Hub Honeysuckle Thursdays 6 June-11 July 12.30-2.30pm
Family Hub Clovelly Thursdays 18 July-22 August 12.30-2.30pm

For more information please contact: Familyhub@southampton.gov.uk.

For all locations visit Family Hub locations.


Year 6 upwards, transition to secondary school

Transitioning to secondary school can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing, especially for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and is a particularly significant change. Ryan McManus shares his experience of transition from junior to secondary school in the video below.

There are a variety of useful resources available from Southampton Inclusion Partnership, that have been co-produced with families that have already experienced transition to secondary school and includes useful advice and tips. Please contact localoffer@southampton.gov.uk and we can send you the information.

Other available transition resources

The Young Minds website has a really helpful transitions information page.

You can find a 'Moving from primary to secondary school activity pack' on the Children's Commissioner website.


Southampton SENDIASS

Southampton SENDIASS are the independent and impartial information, advice and guidance service for education, health and social care, you can contact them for advice around education and transition. Find out more at Southampton SENDIASS.


Further help

Other useful organisations can be found on our local support for parent/carers information page.