Transition and transfer
Ensuring smooth transitions and transfers for pupils with SEND is crucial for laying strong foundations for their educational journey. Effective transitions, whether within the school environment or to a new provision or phase, can significantly impact a pupil's ability to thrive. When transitions are meticulously planned and executed with an inclusive approach, incorporating activities such as additional visits or scaffolds for new routines, pupils with SEND are better supported to adapt and succeed in their new settings.
Phase transfers or transitions include nursery to reception, infant to juniors, primary to secondary, and secondary to sixth form. Regardless of age, there are some common strategies to support everyone.
| Expectations of All Settings | Whole Setting Approaches | How well implemented? | When and how? | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | Sometimes | Not yet | |||
| All transitions are well planned and implemented |
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| Staff prepare CYP for transitions using appropriate communicate tools. |
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| Procedures are in place for ensuring smooth progression within and between settings |
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All transitions are well planned and implemented
Whole Setting Approaches:
- These include transitions throughout the school/setting day, transition to a new year group, a new key stage and a new setting. It also includes special events, celebrations and adjusting to life events such as a bereavement or new sibling.
- Staff are aware of those CYP who may find it more difficult to cope with transitions. This includes CYP who are Looked After children and young people, CYP who are new to the school/setting, those who have support from social services, as well as those with SEND.
- Safe spaces are available within the room or an identified area.
- Opportunities for periods of respite using withdrawal to smaller groups. This might include self-directed/individual time-out.
- Unstructured times are supervised to ensure that CYP are safe and engaging with their peers/activities.
- All settings communicate and attend Camden organised transition events to support the smooth transition of CYP.
How well implemented?
When and how?
Staff prepare CYP for transitions using appropriate communicate tools.
Whole Setting Approaches:
- Visual or alternative timetables are used, events are removed or ticked off when finished.
- Timers are used to show CYP how long they have to work for/how long they have to finish
- Alternative activities, structures or routines are in place dependent on individual needs
How well implemented?
When and how?
Procedures are in place for ensuring smooth progression within and between settings
Whole Setting Approaches:
- Parents and carers are communicated with and involved in relevant transition events and meetings to support their CYP.
- Information is actively sought and shared about CYP to support successful transitions and manage change both within the setting and beyond
- Staff are aware of CYP who need additional support while transitions and adjustments are made, e.g. additional visits to a new setting/classroom with a familiar trusted adult, creating social stories.
How well implemented?
When and how?
Resources
Find out about the terms we use
Details about available resources and services