24th August 2026
As families prepare for the start of a new school year, the transition into school is a significant milestone for every child. For children with complex health needs, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those who may be autistic, this step can require extra planning, timely communication and joined-up support.
The Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) is delighted to publish its newly updated Good Practice Point, Transition to School for Children with Complex Health Needs / Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to support health visitors in their role of helping children and families prepare for school. This resource highlights that successful transitions are built on partnership working during preparation, transition and follow-up.
Bethany Smith, Acting Deputy Head Teacher and Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo). Glan Llyn Primary School, Newport, South Wales, said:
“Health visitors play a vital role in supporting children and families from birth, making strong communication with schools essential when a child starts school. They bring valuable knowledge of a child’s development, family circumstances, and any additional learning needs (ALN).
“Effective collaboration between health visitors and schools ensures consistency and continuity of support, helping families feel understood and reducing the need to repeat information to multiple agencies. By working together, all professionals can keep the child’s needs at the centre of decision making and provide a smoother, more successful transition into school.”
Bethany Smith, Acting Deputy Head Teacher and Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo). Glan Llyn Primary School, Newport, South Wales
The health visitor’s role varies on a case-by-case basis and across health visiting service models, so it is essential that health visitors understand their responsibilities for each child to ensure support is appropriate, tailored to individual need and aligned with the wider multi‑agency context.
The need for a timely coordinated approach is clear. More than 1.7 million pupils in England have Special Educational Needs (SEN), and the number of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) continues to rise. Autistic spectrum disorder is the most common primary need among pupils with an EHCPs, while speech, language and communication needs are the most common for pupils receiving SEN support.
For many families, the year before school entry brings key questions into focus. Although September 2027 may seem a long way off, services will already be preparing and planning for children due to start school then. This Good Practice Point encourages health visitors to begin with positive, strengths‑based conversations that recognise each child’s attributes, build on what helps them thrive, and involve parents fully in decision‑making every step of the way.
Amanda Holland, iHV Professional Education, Learning and Development Lead, and lead facilitator of the iHV Changing Conversations: Autism and Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors Training Programme, commented:
“Health visitors play a vital role in preparing children to be ready for school and supporting the family and child through transition. We are delighted to share this updated GPP, especially as many children will soon begin their school journey. Effective transition for children with complex health needs and SEND begins in the autumn term (September–December) ahead of school entry the following September. This updated GPP aims to support health visitors to work in partnership with families and collaborate across agencies throughout preparation, transition and follow‑up. Health visiting models, roles and responsibilities vary across the UK, however, we all share a commitment to ensuring every child has a successful, well‑supported start to school.”
This back‑to‑school period offers an opportunity to strengthen confidence across the health visiting workforce in supporting children with SEND and their families. Our updated GPP forms part of a suite of resources for iHV members – it is also aligned to iHV’s Changing Conversations: Autism and Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors training – equipping health visitors to support families and children who may have SEND and ensure they feel heard and included during this important period of transition.
Transition to school is a shared, multi-agency responsibility that works best when families are active partners and every professional understands their role. For health visitors, this means using their universal reach, family-centred approach and knowledge of early child development to identify needs early, coordinate support and promote continuity of care.
We encourage health visiting teams to use this newly updated Good Practice Point alongside local pathways and iHV’s Changing Conversations: Autism and Supporting Behaviour Ambassadors training and resources to support thoughtful, timely and inclusive transitions. With the right preparation and partnership, children with SEND and complex health needs can be supported to start school feeling better understood, better planned for, and better able to flourish.
For all iHV members:
Please note that GPPs are available to iHV members only.
The iHV is a self-funding charity – we can only be successful in our mission to strengthen health visiting practice if the health visiting profession and its supporters join us on our journey. We rely on our membership to develop new resources for our members.
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For anyone wanting to further enhance your knowledge and skills:
