Transition starts when a young person is in year 9 (aged 13-14) at school and has a statement of special educational needs. As your child gets older they will need to start making important choices about what they may like to do in the future. This can include decisions about:
For young people and their families transition can be both an exiting and challenging time. There are also a number of different people who can be involved in the transition process. During this time as a parent your views as well as that of your child should be taken into consideration.
Transition is very important as it is about planning for your child’s future. The reason transition planning starts in year 9 it is important that you and your child have time to fully explore the options available, options may include:
As well as looking at the opportunities your child has, it is also important that your child’s needs are considered and the support that can be offered.
As parents it is important that you are involved in planning for your child’s future. You should be given the opportunity to talk about the options available and any support needs you feel your child has. You should be given this opportunity at the person centred planning and review.
An annual review becomes a person centred planning and review when a child reaches year 9 and beyond at school. It is part of the process that takes place when a child has a Statement. As well as checking that the statement is correct and the progress your child is making in school. Planning should also start for when a child leaves school. Transitional planning will then happen at person centred planning and review, until your child leaves school.
It is very important that parent/carers attend these meeting so that they are involved in the planning as their child moves towards adulthood.
The first person centred planning and review happens in Year 9 and is similar to an annual review in that your child’s progress in school will be discussed. The statement is checked to ensure that all the information is correct and any changes to the statement will be recorded. At this meeting, planning will start to guide and advice and your child hopes and aspirations should be taken in to consideration in preparation for leaving school. A transition plan will be completed by the Head teacher or SENCO. The transition plan records any action that needs to be taken and by who. The transition plan is checked and updated every year. Parents/carers will be asked to contribute to the transition plan. You should receive a copy of the transition plan a few weeks after the meeting has taken place.
The school will invite you, professionals that are working with your child and your child. If any of the professionals are unable to attend they will be asked to provide a written report. Your child’s class teacher should also attend the meeting, as well as a representative from Wakefield Council. From Year 9 a Connexions Personal Adviser (PA) will also be invited. The Connexions PA can provide information and support to a young person and their families on post 16 options available.
Under the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice:
A representative of the Connexions Service in most cases this is likely to be a PA, must be invited to the year 9 annual review meeting and, as a condition of grant, must attend, whether or not the young person is in school. The attendance of the PA is critical to the process. PAs should be invited to all subsequent annual reviews, and are expected to attend where appropriate. Page 131 (9:56)
Person Centred Planning and Reviews will continue until your child leaves secondary school.
A Connexions PA should attend your child’s Person Centred Planning and review meeting. They will be able to provide information on the options that are available to your child when they leave school. Your child should also have a careers interview in school with the schools Connexions PA, where their post 16 options should be discussed. After the Careers interview your child will receive an Action Plan which will give details of what has been discussed and outlines any action that may need to be taken.
In Wakefield there is the online Prospectus www.applywakefield.org.uk which has information on:
Most schools with sixth forms and Further Education (FE) colleges also have website where you can find out more information on the courses that they offer. FE colleges have open evenings where you can look round and meet staff. If your child has a social worker they will be able to explain the support available from family service.
When your child is in their last year of compulsory school they will need to make a decision about what they would like to do when they leave school. The options available to them are:
The options available should be discussed with you and your child at the person centred planning and review. A Connexions PA will talk with your child and you about the post 16 options that are available.
If your child receives home to school transport when they are in compulsory education, and it is still required when they move into Post 16 education, there will be a charge. You will be made aware of the cost for post 16 home to school transport when you apply.