Transition is a formally identified period which begins when a young person turns 14 and ends when they are 25. It should provide a framework for planning, managing and achieving the changes that need to take place as a young person moves from school and children’s services into the adult world and adult services.

The law says that every young person with a 'Statement of Special Education Needs' should have a Transition Plan. The kind of plan developed will vary from young person to young person according to their individual needs.

The Transition process should be ongoing throughout these years and include the future development of the following areas in the young person's life:

• Education
• Work
• Leisure
• Housing
• Health
• Travel

First and foremost the young person starting transition, his parents or carers, his teacher,  Key workers and someone from Connexions. There could also be other professionals involved, perhaps a speech therapist, physiotherapist, educational psychologist. This list depends very much on each person's circumstances. You should talk to your child and, where possible, make sure that the people they trust and feel comfortable with are involved.

During this meeting work is started on creating a...

A Transition Plan is a document that outlines what your child wants to achieve in the next few years and what support she or he will need to access these goals. For example, if further education is one of them, transport to college may no longer be provided and travel training will be essential in order for this to happen.

"…The Transition Plan should draw together information from a range of individuals within and beyond school in order to plan coherently for the young person’s transition into adult life. Transition Plans, are not simply about post-school arrangements. They should plan for ongoing educational provision, under the Statement of Need as overseen by the Local Educational Authority" (Special Educational Needs Codes of Practice, Para 9.51)

We have a Transition Plan Template here provided by Paradigm as an example of good practise. What you will find is that a lot of the professionals involved with your child are struggling with the time they have available. The use of a template like this can help everyone involved.