Transition
Transitions are crucial times in the lives of children, young people, adults with EHCPs and their families. As such, it is important that all professionals involved have a shared understanding of what transition is and means, and that a consistent approach is taken both in principle and in practice. All stakeholders will work together, with professional and mutual respect, to support children and young people and their families through transition.
The CATIE Transition Framework (PDF, 549.3 KB)
Specialist Teaching Learning Service (STLS) Transition Offer (PDF, 243.3 KB)
The schedule below outlines what activity needs to be done and by when by schools, families and other professionals to ensure that the correct information is shared in a timely manner and that every child has the most positive transition experience to help them flourish as they move from one phase of education to the next. While the timetable and activities are designed with the legislative EHCP process in mind, the activity can be used with any child or cohort of children who need extra support with transition.
Support For Transition for all Children with SEND
For more information on Early Years to Primary Transition and Primary to Secondary Transition.
12 District Transition Plans
Information for Transition for Year 6 into 7. Local arrangements for Sept 2026 can continue if schools wish. Work is ongoing for a secondary led process for Sept 2027. There will be a reviewed framework, roles and responsibilities etc. For schools who wish to use a new process please complete the Centralised spreadsheet for sharing information between primary and secondary.
Kent Transition Form 2026 (XLSX, 468.4 KB)
Key Tasks and Dates for children with an Education Health and Care Plan
Primary, Junior and Secondary Phase Transfer Process:
There is comprehensive support for children with SEND in early years provisions to ensure that when they transition into school support is planned ahead of their start date.
EY to Mainstream Support Poster (PDF, 445.2 KB)
Key Dates | Activity for Primary, Junior and Secondary Transfer |
|---|---|
Term 1 academic year prior to transfer
| Conversations start between the parent, and other professionals within the annual or transition review (the Annual Review must be held within the Annual Review timescales and does not have to take place in Term 1) |
Term 2 academic year prior to transfer | Parents attend school open evenings to consider potential preferences |
End of Term 6 prior to transfer | Parents contacted by KCC via email with a sharepoint link, requesting school preference for their child. Communication includes detailed process guidance and important information All annual or transition reviews must be completed by schools and relevant paperwork returned to KCC |
Beginning of Term 1 | Parent deadline for returning their school preference to KCC |
Beginning of Term 1 | KCC to identify nearest appropriate school that can meet each child/young person’s need (LA View school) |
Beginning of Term 1 | KCC to prepare consultation information pack for all phase transfer pupils |
Term 1 | KCC to send consultation packs to all required schools for consideration |
Beginning of Term 2 | School deadline for responding to consultation requests |
Beginning of Term 2 | Special schools to confirm capacity for new placements for forthcoming academic year |
Term 2 | KCC to review consultation responses and identify cases that require further discussion with schools |
Term 2 | SEN Phase Transfer Meetings held to identify placements for remaining pupils |
Beginning of Term 3 | KCC to review SEN Phase Transfer Meeting decisions and finalise placement offer Contingency panel meetings to identify placement offers for any exceptional remaining cases |
Term 3 | Amended final EHCPs naming the school for September are sent to parents and schools by LA ahead of 15th February. |
15 Feb | National statutory deadline for naming school placements on the child’s EHCPs for those in phase transfer |
Term 3 and 4 | Departing & receiving schools/settings, with parents, formulate arrangements to support the child with their transition to the new setting, this can include extra visits or targeted personalised plans |
Terms 1 & 2 in new setting | Ongoing transition arrangements to ensure the child settles into their placement successfully |
Post 16 Education (Year 11) Phase Transfer Process:
Key Dates | Activity for Post 16 Transfer |
|---|---|
Term 1 academic year prior to transfer | Conversations start between the young person, parent, and other professionals within the annual or transition review (the Annual Review must be held within the Annual Review timescales and does not have to take place in Term 1) |
Term 2 academic year prior to transfer | Young person/Parents attend open evenings to consider potential preferences |
Beginning of Term 1 | Parents contacted by KCC via email with a sharepoint link, requesting school preference for their child. Communication includes detailed process guidance and important information |
End of Term 1 | Young Person/Parent deadline for returning their school preference to KCC |
Beginning of Term 2 | KCC to identify nearest appropriate school that can meet each child/young person’s need (LA View school) |
Beginning of Term 2 | KCC to prepare consultation information pack for all phase transfer pupils |
Beginning Term 2 | KCC to send consultation packs to all required schools for consideration |
End of Term 2 | School deadline for responding to consultation requests |
Beginning of Term 3 | Special schools to confirm capacity for new placements for forthcoming academic year |
Term 3 | KCC to review consultation responses and identify cases that require further discussion with schools |
Term 3 | SEN Phase Transfer Meetings held to identify placements for remaining pupils |
Beginning of Term 4 | KCC to review SEN Phase Transfer Meeting decisions and finalise placement offer Contingency panel meetings to identify placement offers for any exceptional remaining cases |
Term 4 | Amended final EHCPs naming the school for September are sent to young people/parents and schools by LA ahead of 31st March. |
31 March | National statutory deadline for naming school placements on the child’s EHCPs for those in phase transfer |
Term 5 and 6 | Departing & receiving schools/settings, with young people/parents, formulate arrangements to support the child with their transition to the new setting, this can include extra visits or targeted personalised plans |
Terms 1 & 2 in new setting | Ongoing transition arrangements to ensure the child settles into their placement successfully |