Pathway for parents or carers of children from preteen to teenager
Join our learning pathway for all parents, carers and grandparents: a journey of supporting children who may be neurodivergent, have a disability or face other additional challenges as they transition into secondary school.
Pathway stages
Bitesize stages for daily steps towards confident parenting and connected relationships.
1. Moving up
1.1 Welcome!
1.2 An anxious time for you
1.3 An anxious time for your child
1.4 A balance
1.5 The move
1.6 Processing feelings
1.7 The Window of Tolerance
1.8 Some positives
1.9 Recap
2. Preparations
2.1 Preparing in Year 5
2.2 More preparation
2.3 Getting used to the new school
2.4 Corridors
2.5 Noise
2.6 Preparing for the first day
2.7 Recap and resources
2.8 Congratulations!
2.9 Acknowledgements
About this pathway
Transitioning to secondary school can be a big step for any child, and even more so for those with additional needs. Whether your child is autistic, has ADHD, a learning or physical disability, experiences high anxiety, or simply finds change difficult, this short pathway is here to support both you and them. Building on ways to nurture emotional wellbeing, this pathway offers practical tools to strengthen communication and better understand your child’s needs during this important time.
Developed by our team of psychologists, psychotherapists, and health practitioners, this pathway recognises the range of big emotions that parenting a child with additional needs can bring. This pathway helps you understand and process these feelings to support you to care for your child.
You may also find our resources for parents of children moving up to a new school useful to accompany this pathway. Explore our Moving up resources.
89% learners said they found the pathway helpful
86% learners said they would recommend the pathway to friends and family
“Really helpful short pathway with useful support links.”
Parent from the pathway
“This pathway has been a huge help to me and my family, it will help the transition to run really smoothly come September.”
Parent from the pathway
“This pathway is very helpful, I’ve done it a few times. I feel it will definitely benefit many others.”
Parent from the pathway
“Very useful information, encouraging reflection on how to approach situations and how best to support the mental health and wellbeing of our children.”
Parent from the pathway