Sharing Good Practice Around Transitions

1. Sharing Good Practice Around Transitions Sarah Van Putten

2. The Essential Elements for a Successful Transition • A positive attitude from receiving school. • A carefully prepared transition plan. • A timeous strategy for implementation.

3. So why is it so difficult to get it right………..

4. Pre School Choices At age 3 begin planning………. • Which school, what pre school provision do they have? • Where do siblings go? • What additional support is needed? • Get support in place early, build relationships, • Can the nursery and school staff work closely together for the future Age 4 – what about deferment???

5. Nursery to Primary School • What additional support is needed? • Get support in place early ideally begin the year before • Build relationships, can the nursery and school staff work closely together • Utilising other professionals • Staff training – understanding the child’s learning profile • Lot’s of visits – photographs, book for child to take home • Make the environment visual • Build in routine • Boundaries and relationships Don’t forget about those yearly transitions!!!!!!

6. “It would be fair to say we were a little apprehensive about Gregor starting. We had never had a child with DS in our school, we didn’t know what to expect and whether we had the skills to teach him…” “I wish teachers would be honest, I don’t mind that they aren’t sure, I just want them to be willing to try………” How does Gregor feel? “Everyday Stresses”

8. P6 Begin planning now by: • Choosing a secondary school • Involving secondary school: Additional Support for Learning Staff • Utilising other professionals • Thinking about further independence skills that can be developed whilst still at primary • Having a plan in place by the end of P6 • Beginning to think about support hours/support required

9. P7 – A time of Transition The work begins: • Identify key staff – get support in place before August • Lot’s of visits: two way and remember non class time visits are just as important • Don’t miss out on P7 experiences it’s a rite of passage… • Buddies and Friends • Take a camera- Photographs, • Training for all staff at secondary including subject specialists • Timetable preparation – colour coded, pictures/symbols • Maps of the school – map reading skills • Differentiation – give yourselves a head start Involve the Young Person

10. Case Study Justin: Successfully completed S1,S2, and S3. The S4 plan ready for August: • 2 days a week at college • 1 day a week work experience • 2 days in school, literacy, numeracy, HE, Computing, Duke of Edinburgh Award

11. Leaving School Must begin 18 months before school leaving age! • Accreditation for learning • Think about action steps to greater independence • Education is about all four capacities • Think about Person Centred Planning or Big Plans as a tool for involvement and planning • Involve all the important people; especially the young person and their family

12. Leaving School cont. • Find out what’s out there – get help!! • Bring in adult services/transition teams they are the budget holders for future support. • Get a plan • Monitor it closely • Keep everyone on track

13. Case Study Andrew: Successfully completed mainstream High School. • Receiving his SQA Gold Award • Works as a trainer for DSS • Attends college 3 days week • Gymnastics coach • Would really like a job……

14. Useful Resources • www.whataboutus.org.uk • http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/information/for-professionals/education/celebrating-success-resources.html • http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/shop/publications/education/secondary/1121-interactive-visual-timetable-for-home-and-school-use.html

15. Contact Details Family Support Service Down’s Syndrome Scotland 0131 313 4225 info@dsscotland.org.uk