Nov
Advice For Schools
SEND Transitions: How Schools Can Better Support Students Beyond the Classroom [GUEST BLOG]
Guest blogger, Nicole Sherwood, discusses practical ways to support pupils with SEND as they move into further education, employment, or independent living…
Leaving school can be daunting and the transition to college, university, or employment can seem overwhelming. Leaving the structure and familiarity of school behind is rarely easy for any student, especially for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Making decisions, gaining greater independence and adapting to new environments all require confidence and the right support.
Schools play a vital role in preparing SEND students for the next stage of their journey. Schools need to prepare students for post-16 provisions and life after school by offering strategies that provide tailored support and specialist facilities.
Throughout this blog, you’ll discover practical ways to support pupils with SEND as they move into further education, employment, or independent living, helping them thrive and reach their potential beyond the school environment.
Why do schools need to support SEND students as they move into further education, employment, or independent living?
Teaching staff have a responsibility to support students and ensure they leave school well prepared for college, the workforce and life outside the classroom. This goes beyond ensuring they thrive academically, but also socially, mentally, emotionally and practically.
For students with SEND, navigating the real world can be overwhelming and they may need additional guidance to develop communication, social and life skills. School plays a vital role in helping students build confidence, independence and resilience by providing real-world learning opportunities, structured support and a safe environment to practice essential skills.
While support for SEND students doesn’t stop after school, with post-16 provisions offering tailored support and specialist facilities, it is crucial that progress continues. By doing so, schools can help every young person transition more smoothly into further education, employment, or independent living.
How can schools better prepare SEND students for life after school?
Schools can better support SEND students with transitions beyond the classroom by:
- Prioritising social and emotional development.
- Creating peer support systems.
- Providing regular opportunities to practice life skills.
Prioritising social and emotional development
Developing students’ skills and confidence from childhood through to adulthood is important to prepare them for life beyond school. Many SEND students struggle to manage change, regulate their emotions and understand social cues, all of which will help them in their lives and careers going forward.
Focusing on the development of the whole child and not just their academic progress is essential. It nurtures confidence and academic achievement as well as fosters relationships that contribute to long-term wellbeing.
Prioritising social and emotional development is crucial and involves teaching students self-awareness and emotion management, as well as communication and relationship skills. This can be achieved through consistent, intentional strategies like active listening, role-modelling and creating consistent routines in the classroom.
It’s important to teach students about specific skills like emotional identification, self-management and positive reinforcement to ensure they can express their emotions effectively and make transitions less challenging. This can help students feel more supported as they face new social and academic challenges in their lives.
Creating peer support systems
Fostering positive relationships in school is crucial to supporting students in their life journey after school. Building relationships can be difficult especially in a new environment with new people.
For some students, communicating and forging relationships can be difficult due to shyness or anxiety, a lack of social skills or different interests or backgrounds. School is a great opportunity to teach students about the importance of communication, empathy and collaboration in building positive relationships.
Creating peer support systems in schools helps build confidence, a sense of community and belonging among students. These relationships and opportunities allow students to develop empathy and improve their communication and collaboration skills.
Providing targeted support through consistent routines, small-group work and guided practice helps students develop trust and empathy, which can strengthen their communication, decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
Providing regular opportunities to practice essential life skills
The world beyond the classroom can feel confusing and unfamiliar for those who haven’t yet had the chance to experience or practice real-world situations independently. For some students, life post-school can be a big adjustment and they may need additional support to manage new routines, responsibilities and expectations.
It is crucial for teaching staff to give students opportunities to practice essential life skills in the classroom and apply them in real-world contexts. Incorporating play, storytelling and guided discussions around emotions helps students understand social cues, establish boundaries and begin to grasp wider societal expectations.
Providing opportunities such as embedding emotional literacy into everyday teaching and practicing practical skills like handling money can help students develop self-advocacy.
Not only can this help students with SEND build their confidence and independence, but these experiences can help students develop trust, empathy and transferable skills that prepare them for further education, employment and adult life.
If you found this blog useful, you may also be interested in reading the following blogs:
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If any of this has got you thinking and you’d like more support or advice, our expert Safeguarding Advisers can help. Contact us on safeguarding@servicesforeducation.co.uk for more information.
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Our experienced Education Advisors offer tailored support to create inclusive and effective classrooms. With first-hand teaching experience, and knowing the growing demands on teachers, we guide schools in making practical adjustments that meet diverse learner needs – ensuring a welcoming, productive environment for all.
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About the Author – Guest Blogger
Nicole Sherwood is the Content Writer for award winning education recruitment agency Spencer Clarke Group.
Spencer Clarke Group is a specialist education recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West. Operating nationwide, they help schools to find experienced teaching and support staff on a daily, temporary, temp-perm or permanent basis.
Nicole Sherwood joined Spencer Clarke Group in 2023 and writes content for their Education and SEND Career Hub including strategies and resources for teaching professionals.
In 2025, Spencer Clarke Group was awarded Best Public/Third Sector Recruitment Agency and Best Temporary Recruitment Agency at the Recruiter Awards.
