Transition support

Support for transitioning through education

Moving from one stage of education to another is an important milestone for every child and young person. For those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), these transitions can sometimes feel challenging—but the right support can make each step positive, empowering, and well‑planned.

In Leeds, we are committed to making sure children, young people, and their families feel informed, included, and confident at every transition point. Whether moving into early years settings, starting primary school, preparing for secondary school, or planning for adulthood, a range of services, professionals, and resources are available to help you navigate the journey.

This section of the Local Offer explains what support is available at different stages of education, who can help, and how to access the information you need. 

Transition education

Early years to primary school

Starting nursery or school is an exciting time, but it can also feel like a huge change, particularly for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 

Going to nursery and school opens opportunities to grow, explore and learn alongside their peers. It may be their first experience of spending time with adults and children who are not part of their immediate family. 

Every child deserves to feel safe, confident and ready for their new setting. When families, early years settings, schools and professionals work together, we can make the transition as smooth, positive and supportive as possible.

The Inclusion Advisory Team (IAT) Early Years have developed a range of resources to help settings plan a child’s transition, which can be accessed through Leeds for Learning. 

These tools support nurseries and schools in gathering the right information by working closely with parents/carers and any professional teams involved. This partnership approach helps build a shared understanding of the child’s strengths, interests and needs. 

Early collaboration ensures that provision can be shaped effectively to give each child the best possible start in their new environment.

Primary to secondary school

Transitioning from primary to high school is a significant milestone for pupils, bringing both anticipation and uncertainty. 

Many young people look forward to new opportunities, greater independence, and access to a wider range of subjects, clubs, and experiences that allow them to explore emerging interests. 

They may feel excited about meeting new friends, becoming part of a larger community, and being trusted with more responsibility. At the same time, it is natural for pupils to feel anxious about such a major change. 

Common concerns include getting used to a much larger school environment, navigating unfamiliar routines, and managing the increased organisational demands that come with multiple subjects and teachers. Worries about building new friendships and leaving behind trusted adults can be particularly strong. 

A successful transition relies on thoughtful and sensitive support from staff and families. 

Key barriers—such as limited familiarity with the new environment, inconsistent communication, and a one‑size‑fits‑all approach—can create unnecessary stress for pupils. Schools can ease this by providing clear, predictable information; opportunities to visit and explore new spaces at a comfortable pace; and consistent, attuned communication between primary and secondary teams. 

Families should be involved as partners, with space to share what helps their child feel safe, regulated, and understood. When transitions honour pupil voice, reduce sensory and social load, and nurture strong relationships, pupils are far more likely to step into high school with confidence, belonging, and a sense of possibility.

If you have any questions about your child's transition from primary to secondary school please speak to your school SENDCo. 

Transitioning to Higher Education

Welcome to Go Higher West Yorkshire’s Disabled Learners’ Higher Education Transition Pack!

This resource has been designed to support you on your own journey into Higher Education (HE).

Making decisions about your future has never been easy and there is lots of information out there which can be overwhelming. We hope that this transition pack will help you to easily access information about the timelines, processes and support to enable you to progress into a destination of your choice.

We understand that starting HE is a big step, one that often begins a long time before you finally arrive there. For many students who have received support or adjustments at school or college the transition to university can be confusing and hard to navigate, not least because the language and terminology used about Special Educational Needs (SEN), disability and support is very different. This can prevent some students from accessing the support they need.

Click here to access the transition pack.

One in five podcast

The One in Five is a university support podcast created by disabled students, for disabled students who are considering university.

In addition to supporting disabled students making their university decisions, the podcast will also support disabled students currently at university, school and college colleagues, parents, and carers too!

It is called the One in Five to represent that one in five people in the UK have a disability, and tens of thousands of students with a disability attend university each year.

click here to access the podcast. 

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Childhood into adulthood

'Transition' is the process when a young person is preparing to move from childhood into adulthood. 

Life for adults is different to life for children, which may include moving to adult services if you have care and support needs. It is important that you have the right information at the right time to make sure you’re preparing for adulthood.  

From year 9 (age 13 – 14 years) preparing for adulthood conversations should begin at school, which should include: 

  • what jobs you might like to do when you're an adult
  • your options for education or training
  • your future goals
  • where you might want to live and how to be as independent as possible
  • things you want to do in your community, like your hobbies, interests, and meeting friends
  • how you're going to be as healthy as possible 

Visit our Preparing for Adulthood Transitions Support page for more information. 

SENDIASS - free, impartial and confidential advice and support

Leeds Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice Support Service (SENDIASS) is a small team comprising a coordinator and 3 full time equivalent officers.

SENDIASS have a duty to provide information, advice and support to disabled children and young people, and those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), and their parents. They are a statutory service. They are free, impartial and confidential.

SENDIASS can provide information, advice and support to families about transitions. 

Contact details