Page : home > Planning for the Future > England > Know the Process

England - Know the Process

Year 9

The transition planning process should begin in year 9 (age 13-14), involving a range of people including parents/family carers and should plan the supports needed for the child to access opportunities as they enter adulthood. The transition review process should be led by the Head Teacher of the child's school, who has responsibility for the development of the transition plan, although this can be delegated to a Connexions personal advisor. The first transition plan should be completed after the young person's annual review in year 9, and should form part of his/her overall person centred plan. A transition plan should "draw together information from a range of individuals within and beyond the school in order to plan coherently with the young person for their transition to adult life" (DfES SEN Toolkit)

Annual review

Transition plans should be reviewed at least annually and cover all aspects of the young person's future, identifying the strengths and needs of the individual and including education, benefit entitlements, employment, housing, social and leisure opportunities, health and social care needs into adulthood. (All Change, Pavillion 2003)

Once the transition plan has been agreed it should be reviewed regularly as "transition planning is a continuous and evolving process.. the transition plan can also change and grow over time" (DfES SEN Toolkit)

Person Centred Transition planning

The Valuing People Support Team is promoting Person Centred Transition Reviews in schools. In the past, the transition plan has been seen as a separate entity. However, it makes more sense to incorporate it into an overall person centred plan, which is an evolving plan. Person centred transition reviews are an opportunity for everyone to begin thinking in a person centred way at an earlier stage, to ensure that the person receives the support he/she needs to achieve the life they want, rather than "fitting the person in" to what is currently available. This approach was piloted in some areas and should now be available nationally.

Valuing People Support Team

This team was set up to help to make the changes set out in the Valuing People White Paper happen. The Valuing People Support Team works with Learning Disability Partnership Boards, local people, organisations and government departments. They offer support and advice to people working to change services, help people get together to talk and share ideas, listen to what people are saying and tell the government what people are saying so they can change things. For more information on person centred transition reviews, contact Linda Jordan, Valuing People Support Team (www.valuingpeople.gov.uk), telephone 0207 9721242 or email Linda.jordan@dh.gsi.gov.uk

Year 10

The Person Centred Transition review process recommends that Year 10 (age 14-15) reviews should look at the five "keys to citizenship":

Self determination (including communication & advocacy)
Direction (planning and tools for planning)
Money (including employment opportunities, direct payments, Further Education and individualised budgets)
Support (how to get what you need)
Community involvement

Key points

Transition planning should be part of an overall person centred plan and include a "vision" of what adulthood will look like for the individual and what support will be required to achieve the vision, maintain it, and evaluate and review it.

The key points to remember in the planning process are:

Aim high. Think about what an "ideal" scenario for your son/daughter would be. It may be that not all aspects of this vision will be achieved, but at least some will be.
Identify "allies" that can help and support you. (The CBF is one!)
Think creatively. Don't accept that you can only choose from what is currently available.
Don't give up if you encounter barriers - barriers can be overcome.
Find out what other families have done. Many families known to the CBF are happy to share their experiences and can provide valuable insight into how to make things happen.

It is never too soon to start

Remember this can be a lengthy process: there are times when you will forge ahead and other times when progress will seem painfully slow. Don't give up! Ask for help if you need it. At the CBF we know how hard it can be, and we will do all we can to support you.