1. Sharing Good Practice Around Transitions
Secondary to Adulthood
Primary to Secondary
Nursery to Primary
Jo Hughes

2. The Essential Elements for a Successful Transition
A positive attitude from receiving school.
A carefully prepared transition plan.
A timeous strategy for implementation.
Positive attitude - the will to make it work. The most successful inclusion takes place when the school sees it as a challenge rather than an obstacle.

3. “It would be fair to say we were a little apprehensive about him starting. We had never had a child with Ds in our school, we didn’t know what to expect and whether we had the skills to teach him…” “I wish teachers would be honest, I don’t mind that they aren’t sure, I just want them to be willing to try………”

4. So why is it so difficult to get it right………..

5. Pre School Choices At age 2 begin planning……….
Which school, what pre school provision do they have?
Where do siblings go?
What additional support is needed?
Get support in place early, build relationships,
Can the nursery and school staff work closely together for the future
Age 3 – nursery/ how will they be ready for school /specialist input
Age 4 – what about deferment???

6. Nursery to Primary School
What additional support is needed?
Get support in place early ideally begin the year before
Build relationships, can the nursery and school staff work closely together
Utilising other professionals
Staff training – understanding the child’s learning profile
Lot’s of visits – photographs, book for child to take home
Make the environment visual
Build in routine
Boundaries and relationships
Communication passport
Don’t forget about those yearly transitions!!!!!!

7. Transition: “a change from one thing to another”
such as:
School terms
School years
Teachers/support staff/ pupils/ people
Environment
Routines
Family
These are all changes that can be difficult

9. Primary 6 Begin planning now by:
Visiting and choosing a secondary school
Involving secondary school: Additional Support for Learning Staff
Utilising other professionals
Thinking about further independence skills that can be developed whilst still at primary
Having a plan in place by the end of P6
Beginning to think about support hours/support required
Communication passort

10. Primary 7 – A time of Transition
The work begins:
Identify key staff – get support in place before August
Lot’s of visits: two way and remember non class time visits are just as important
Don’t miss out on P7 experiences it’s a rite of passage…
Buddies and Friends
Take a camera- Photographs,
Training for all staff at secondary including subject specialists
Timetable preparation – colour coded, pictures/symbols
Maps of the school – map reading skills
Differentiation – give yourselves a head start
Involve the Young Person

11. Leaving School Must begin 18 months before school leaving age!
Accreditation for learning
Think about action steps to greater independence
Education is about all four capacities
Think about Person Centred Planning or similar approaches as a tool for involvement and planning
Involve all the important people; especially the young person and their family

12. Principles of Good Transitions 2
All plans and assessments should be made in a person centred way
Support should be co-ordinated across all services
Planning should start early and continue up to age 25
Young people should get the support they need
Young people, parents and carers must have access to the information they need
Families and carers need support
Legislation and policy should be co-ordinated and simplified

13. Leaving School cont. Get a plan Monitor it closely
Find out what’s out there – get help!!
Bring in adult services/transition teams they are the budget holders for future support.
Get a plan
Monitor it closely
Keep everyone on track

14. Useful Links whataboutus.org.uk scottishtransitions.org.uk
skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
enquire.org.uk
gov.scot.\getting it right for every child
Cerebra.org.uk
communicationpassports.org.uk
Skills Development Scotland are tasked with many roles by National government. One of which is to help support a young person going through transitions to gain meaningful employment or education opportunities.
This is to support  those with Additional Support Needs through this process with an understanding that they face additional difficulties. The government have promised that there is a meaningful offer of a place in education and employment for everyone. (This is expand upon in the documents Opportunities for All, More Choices More Chances and Post-16 Learning Opportunities).
A skills development Scotland advisor should be present at you transitions planning meeting and they are experts on post16-education and employment opportunities in line with Curriculum for Excellence and Getting it Right for Every Child thinking.

15. Any questions? Jo Hughes | Senior Family Support Service Officer
Mob: | E:
Down’s Syndrome Scotland,
Riverside House, 502 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh. EH11 3AF
T: |