A

Awareverse

Free Resource

Transition Planning
Guide

Moving schools, moving to adulthood — what to prepare

Free to download, print and share 💜
awareverse.co.uk

Practical support for neurodivergent people, families and learnersawareverse.co.uk

Transitions are hard — prepare early

For neurodivergent children and young people, transitions between schools, settings or into adult services are among the highest-risk periods for things to go wrong. Planning early and pushing hard makes a real difference.

🏫 Moving schools — key steps

Start planning at least 12 months before the move

Arrange multiple visits to the new school before the transition

Request a transition meeting between current and new school

Share the child's EHCP or SEN support plan with the new school in advance

Create a transition passport — the child's own document about who they are

If the child has an EHCP, confirm the new school placement is named in the plan

Plan the first day in detail — who greets them, where they go, what to do if overwhelmed

Build in extra decompression time after school during the whole transition period

📋 Transition passport — fill in with the child

My nameWhat I like to be calledThings I am good atThings that help me when I am strugglingWhat I want my new school to know about me

Transition Planning Guideawareverse.co.uk

🎓 Moving to adult services — Year 9 onwards

The transition from child to adult services is one of the most significant gaps in the SEND system. Many young people fall through it entirely. Plan early and push hard.

Year 9 annual review must include transition planning — this is a legal requirement

Identify adult services equivalents — adult social care, supported employment, adult mental health

Request a Care Act needs assessment from adult social care before age 18

Plan for post-16 education — college, sixth form, supported learning, apprenticeships

Consider employment support — Supported Internships, Access to Work scheme

EHCP can continue to age 25 if in education or training — do not let it end at 18 without a plan

Register with adult GP and ensure all health records are transferred

📝 Transition planning notes

Young person's nameCurrent year group / ageCurrent support in placeGoals for after schoolGaps we are worried aboutQuestions we still need answered

Transition Planning Guideawareverse.co.uk

Need more in-depth support?

This free tool is a starting point. Our guides go much deeper — plain English, lived experience.

A free quick tool gives you the basics. A proper guide gives you the knowledge to understand what is really happening and what to do about it.

📋

EHCP Support Guide

Understanding your rights through the EHCP process including transition.

⚖️

Going to SEND Tribunal

If the transition plan is wrong — how to challenge it.

🎉

So Your Child Was Just Diagnosed

For families at the beginning of the SEND journey.

📢

Advocating Without Burning Out

How to keep fighting through the hardest transitions.

All Awareverse guides are written from lived experience — by an autistic, ADHD parent. Plain English. No jargon. No gatekeeping.

Browse all Awareverse guides →

Share this free resource 💜 — awareverse.co.uk/downloads