Leaving school
A new education law comes into force in Wales on 1st September 2021. The Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 changes how children and young people aged 0-25 years with additional learning needs (ALN) will have their needs assessed, planned and monitored. These changes will be introduced gradually over the next 3 years. We will be updating our information resources in line with the new changes but for information on how this may affect your education or your child’s education in the meantime, please contact our Education Rights Helpline.
You can read more about the new Act here.
It’s important that autistic pupils, their families and others in their circle of support are involved in planning early. Transition from secondary school can be one of the most life-changing events a young person and their family faces, and the process is often difficult and confusing. Decisions made as we prepare to leave school can have an impact on the rest of our lives.
School leaving age
The date a young person can leave school depends upon when they reach their 16th birthday. For example, if they turn 16 during the school year they can leave on 30 June of that school year.
However, if they have a statement of special educational needs they can remain in education until they are 19.
Involving everyone in the circle of support
A successful transition plan should involve everyone in a young person’s life who knows them well. Planning should be person centred, focusing on what the young person wants for their future and what matters to them.
Transitions are where we look at the options we have ahead of us. This can include:
- going to college
- applying to university
- applying for day opportunities
- looking for a job or apprenticeship
- volunteering opportunities
- moving to our own home or residential accommodation.
The young person may already have an ideal job in mind or a dream to live in a particular place. Their ideas should be taken seriously, so that specific goals that are positive and possible. For example:
I want to be an actor
Goal 1: study the work of someone you admire.
Goal 2: join a local drama or theatre group.
Goal 3: look into performance arts courses at colleges and theatre schools.
I want to work with animals
Goal 1: read books or watch TV programmes on animal behaviour and care.
Goal 2: volunteer at a local animal shelter.
Goal 3: find out about animal care college courses.
Engaging and supporting the young person
How a young person communicates should not be a barrier to them contributing to their transition. Any planning should allow for them to contribute in the way that is most meaningful to them.
If it's felt that a young person doesn't have the capacity to make their own choices, families and professionals should look at creative ways to include their preferences. This might mean using visual supports, and assessing and recording their reaction as evidence.
Thought should be given to how your child can be supported to reduce anxiety throughout the process.
Early decision making and support strategies can help. This may include:
- new support staff working with them prior to the move
- visiting the new environment to meet staff and peers
- using social stories™ or visual supports.
Young people with statements of special educational needs (SEN)
If a young person has a statement of SEN then the first annual review after their 14th birthday and subsequent reviews will focus is on their needs as they move into further education, training or employment.
It should involve professionals from agencies that will be crucial during their post school years.
Representatives from local health and social services authority and Careers Wales must be invited to review meetings. Careers Wales will ensure that all further education and training opportunities are considered.
They will help identify specific targets to ensure that independence training, personal skills, social interaction and other aspects of the wider curriculum are fully supported.
An review report and transition plan will be prepared, this should collate information from professionals who know the young person.
What should be included in a transition plan?
A plan should consider the following, with input from professionals and agencies:
- what are the young person’s curriculum needs during transition? This should include how they can be helped to develop the skills they need to become more independent and have full access to the local community
- what special health, welfare or specific development needs do they have? This could be something like developing independence around travel or managing money
- has appropriate post 16 education provision been identified?
- are there other agencies that need to be involved to ensure an effective transition?
- how can information be best transferred from children’s to adult services?
The young person and their family
It’s important to make sure that the young person is engaged in the decision making process. Adults involved in the transition process should consider:
- what are their aspirations for the future?
- what information will they need to make informed choices?
- what local advice and advocacy services are available?
- how can they be encouraged to contribute to the transition plan and make positive decisions about their future?
Clear responsibility for different aspects of their development should be allocated to specific agencies and professionals.
Parents should also think about what expectations they have for their child’s adult life and how that may affect the young person’s support needs.
Inter-agency support
Professionals from the following services should be actively involved in developing the young person’s plan:
- local health and social services
- Careers Wales
The local education authority (LEA) must consult with social services to establish whether a young person will need their support when they leave school.
Young people without a statement of special educational needs (SEN)
There is no requirement for a transition plan to be prepared for young people who don’t have a statement. However, there is the special educational needs code of practice which the LEA and schools must take into account.
This states that the LA and the young person’s school may wish to prepare a transition plan and offer guidance to pupils with SEN who are likely to need support when they move to further education or training. This could be school/college link courses or work placements.
Choosing further or higher education
It’s important for a young person wanting to go to college or university to think through the implications of this. Adults involved in helping them plan for transition should make sure that they consider university course choices and accommodation decisions carefully.
Useful information about universities can be found on their websites.
Finding employment
Careers Wales can offer help with finding suitable employment or training. They can also advise employers about adapting the workplace or supporting disabled people at work.
Benefits and community care
Autistic students and their families may be entitled to financial support in the form of social security benefits and social care support.
The amount of support will depend of personal circumstances. For example, a young autistic adult may be able to care for themselves independently or it is possible that you and or others will continue to care for them.
Further help from our charity
The Transition Support Service is a free and confidential telephone and email service that can provide support and information on all areas of the transition process.
You could also try searching our Autism Services Directory for other services.
Useful reading and websites
Further education courses and funding – Government information
Finished at school guide – Ambitious about Autism
My future choices - Transition Information Network.
Special Educational Needs Code of Practice for Wales Welsh Assembly (2002)
