Supporting Your Young Person’s Next Steps

By Katie McGlynn

What to Expect from Transition Meetings

Preparing for life beyond college is a big milestone for every young person, and for their families too.

As learners enter Year 3, many parents and carers begin thinking about what comes next, and how best to support their young person through this important stage.

That’s where Transition Meetings come in.

These meetings offer a calm, supportive space to explore options, reduce anxiety, understand next steps, and make sure the upcoming EHCP review is clear, meaningful, and centered on the learner’s wishes.

What Is a Transition Meeting?

A Transition Meeting is a short, friendly, learner-centered discussion held with each learner and their parent or carer before the Year 3 EHCP review. The aim is to ensure every review is future-focused, well-prepared, and empowering.

During the meeting, we explore:

➯ Future Options

We talk through potential pathways such as further education, training, supported internships, employment, independent living and social care support.

➯ Student Voice

We encourage learners to share their hopes, aspirations, and any worries they may have. Their voice guides the conversation.

➯ Support Needs

We consider strategies that can help reduce transition-related anxiety and make next steps feel manageable.

➯ Information Gathering

We collect key details to ensure the EHCP review runs smoothly and accurately reflects the learner’s goals.

Where appropriate, these meetings involve the learner, family members, and key staff. We can also signpost you to useful services or agencies if needed.

How Do the Meetings Work?

Transition Meetings are designed to be:

• Small and informal, helping learners feel comfortable
• Person-centred, using simple questions, visuals, and one-page profiles
• Focused on the learner, making space for their thoughts and choices

Everything we discuss feeds directly into the EHCP review paperwork, making sure the meeting is truly aligned with the learner’s future.

Why They Matter: The Impact

By taking part in a Transition Meeting, families and learners often feel:

• More confident going into their EHCP review
• Less anxious about next steps
• Better informed about available options
• More empowered, as the process centres on the young person’s wishes
• More supported, leading to smoother progression into further education, employment, or adult services

Transition Meetings help build strong, positive transitions, and ensure every young person has ownership of their future.

About Katie McGlynn

As the Careers and Futures Lead at Petty Pool College, my role is to guide and support learners and their families as they prepare for adulthood and meaningful next steps.

I work closely with staff, employers and external partners to ensure each learner receives personalised, high-quality careers education, along with clear information, advice and guidance tailored to their strengths and aspirations.

My goal is to help every young person develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to move into further education, employment, supported internships or community engagement. By working in partnership with families, I aim to make transitions as smooth, positive and empowering as possible.

Book Your Transition Meeting

If your young person is beginning their Year 3 journey, I’d love to support you through this important stage.
Click below to book your Transition Meeting.

Book here: Transition Meeting