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Introduction to the Transition Guide

The move from being a child to becoming an adult is a big change for all young people. It involves:

  • preparing for more independence
  • making plans for the future

For those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND):

  • this needs more preparation and planning than for other young people of the same age.
  • with the right support at the right time, a smooth transition can be achieved.

Who is the guide for?

This online guide is for young people with special educational needs or disabilities.  Parents, carers and professionals will also find it helpful.

It explains:

  • the different things you will need to think about as you become a teenager and an adult.
  • what education, health and social care services are there for you in different areas of your life.

PDF Guide for parents and carers

A guide has also been created for parents and carers.  People who work with young people with SEND will find this useful too.

You can download a copy of the guide by clicking on the below image or under Links and documents.  It is an accessible PDF which means it can be used with screen readers.

Image has 3 cartoon people. Text is in blue rectangles in white and says Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Preparing for adulthood Transition guide

The PDF guide is available in the languages below.  Please note that Google Translate has been used to translate them from the English version.  There could be some small errors.

Arabic          Bengali          Chinese (simplified)             Czech          Persian          Polish

Punjabi          Slovak          Somali          Ukranian          Urdu

If you would like a paper copy of the guide in English or another language, please contact localoffer@sheffield.gov.uk.  

Local Offer (0-25 Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)

Throughout this guide you will see other links to pages in the Local Offer website.

Please use the links with the information in this guide.

The guide has been written with the Sheffield Parent Carer Forum.

We hope it helps you to know more about:

  • preparing for adulthood
  • moving from children to adult services.

3 cartoon people, one is wearing glasses, one is wearing a cap. 2 male and 1 female

Last updated:
Next Preparing for Adulthood

In this section

  1. Introduction to the Transition Guide
  2. Preparing for Adulthood
  3. Sheffield's Local Offer
  4. What happens and when - Early Years (age 0-4)
  5. What happens and when - Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 (age 5-7)
  6. What happens and when - Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 (age 7-11)
  7. What happens and when - Year 7 and Year 8 (age 11-13)
  8. What happens and when - Year 9 (age 13-14)
  9. What happens and when - Year 10 (age 14-15)
  10. What happens and when - Year 11 (Age 15-16)
  11. What happens and when - Year 12 (age 16-17)
  12. What happens and when - Years 13 and 14 (Age 17-19)
  13. What happens and when - Age 19-25
  14. Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans - Transition Guide
  15. Education, Employment and Training - GCSEs and Help in Exams - Transition Guide
  16. Post 16 Education - Transition Guide
  17. A Guide to Qualifications at 16+ - Transition Guide
  18. Apprenticeships and Supported Internships - Transition Guide
  19. Things to do when not in college - Transition Guide
  20. University and Higher Education - Transition Guide
  21. Careers Advice - Transition Guide
  22. 1) Help with finding and keeping a job - Transition Guide
  23. 2) Help with finding and keeping a job - Transition Guide
  24. 3) Help with finding and keeping a job - Transition Guide
  25. Leisure - Transition Guide
  26. SEN Transport - Transition Guide
  27. Independent Travel Training
  28. Other Travel Support and useful Apps - Transition Guide
  29. Social Care Services - Transition Guide
  30. Moving from Children’s to Adult Social Care Services - Transition Guide
  31. Paying for adult social care - Transition Guide
  32. Getting a carer’s assessment for your parent/carer - Transition Guide
  33. Short Break Services - Transition Guide
  34. Direct payments for social care services - Transition Guide
  35. Housing - Transition Guide
  36. Decision making and mental capacity - Transition Guide
  37. Transitioning from Children’s Health to Adult Health Services - Transition Guide
  38. Annual Health Checks for people with a learning disability - Transition Guide
  39. Important Local NHS Health Services - Transition Guide
  40. Mental Health Services - Transition Guide
  41. 1) Finance and Benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Direct Payments and Appointeeship - Transition Guide
  42. 2) Finance and Benefits: Universal Credit - Transition Guide
  43. 3) Finance and Benefits: 16 to 19 Bursary Fund - Transition Guide
  44. 4) Finance and Benefits: Banking, Wills and Trusts and Child Benefit - Transition Guide
  45. Further help and support - Transition guide

Links and documents

  1. SEND Transition Guide September 23