We’ve put together some resources that will help parents and carers support their child or young person to manage the transition and minimise anxiety, whatever their situation.
Young people go through all kinds of changes as they grow up – including when they move into a new class, start school, move from one education setting to another, or experience changes within their family. Whilst change is a normal part of life it can feel difficult for children and young people to cope with
Change can be difficult for many reasons. A child or young person might not feel ready for it or may be worried about something that feels unknown. They might need time to let go of something that has ended or feel that what is happening to them is out of their control. A child or young person may also find change difficult if they’re already struggling with other things.
As a parent or carer there’s a lot you can do to help your child or young person manage the transition and minimise anxiety, whatever their situation.
Support
Let them know about Kooth (ages 11 to 25) who offer free digital mental wellbeing support online for children and young people. Its free, safe and anonymous, there are no waiting lists for support and no referral is needed. Access to these platforms is available instantly 24/7. The support available includes:
- Live chat or messaging with qualified mental health professionals
- Self-help tools and activities
- Online community
Don’t forget that it’s important that you look after yourself as well. Qwell offer free digital mental wellbeing support online for adults aged 26+. Qwell delivers a therapeutic model of online counselling, offering personalised, anonymous, mental health support with no waiting list or threshold.
Resources
Young Minds and Place2Be have information, resources and practical tips to help you support your child or young person during a time of transition or change.
- Supporting children’s transition to secondary school is an evidence-based guidance for parents and carers, written with input from clinicians at the Anna Freud Centre and teachers. This short guide provides tips about how children preparing for, or going through, the transition to secondary school can best be supported by their parents and carers.
- Moving Up! The transition to secondary school animation. This animation and accompanying teacher toolkit are aimed at supporting pupils who have recently started Year 7 or who will be preparing to transition to secondary school later in the year (Years 6 and 7). They were developed in collaboration with young people, teachers and mental health experts.
- Supporting school transitions. Resources to help pupils, schools, parents and carers to cope with the changes and transitions they experience during their time at school.
- Transitions and times of change: A guide for parents. Change is a normal part of life, but it can feel difficult for children and young people to cope with. This guide contains information and practical tips to help you support your child during a time of transition or change.
- Transitioning from school to further education. Advice and practical tips to support school staff in preparing their students for the transition from school to further education.
- Starting or changing primary school. A guide and film for parents to help them to understand what’s going on when their child is facing change so they can help them to adjust.
- Helping your child prepare for Secondary School. Place2Be guide and video with tips for parents and carers to help them to support their child to make this transition.
