'FASD Informed' Transitions

Apr 15

2 min read

Essential Transitions Safeguarding Support for nurseries, schools, alternative provision, EOTAS providers, colleges and other settings working with children, young people, and adults with complex needs through prenatal alcohol exposure, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Early booking is recommended to support thorough planning and a smooth, well-managed transition. Our online workshops are delivered at a time convenient for your team and may include family consultation where appropriate, together with a review of relevant clinical and educational reports.

Who Should Attend?

Designed for education staff, multi-disciplinary teams, and families supporting children, young people and adults facing transitions such as:

Moving between Early Years, Primary, Middle, Secondary, College
Working towards Supported Internship, or Supported Living settings
Transitions between classrooms or year groups
Changes in ‘safe people’ (e.g., new teaching staff or Teaching Assistants)
Transitions out of secondary school into the community or residential placements
Transitions into holidays and out of holiday periods
Transition from Home Educating, EOTAS, Alternative Provision or Mainstream into Specialist

Short Bespoke Online Course Outline:

This specialised short course offers practical, online workshops designed for education professionals and the wider team supporting children and young people with complex needs affected by prenatal alcohol exposure , likely or diagnosed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

The course facilitates collaborative planning discussions to develop transition planning, ensuring safeguarding risks are considered and supported by complex needs risk assessment.

Course Structure

Module 1: Understanding FASD and Transition Challenges (90mins)

Overview of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and overlapping needs
Key transition difficulties, such as changes between schools, classrooms, staff, alternative provision and routines

Module 2: Best Practice Principles & Strategies (90mins)

Routine, consistency, and early planning
Visual supports, gradual exposure, and safe spaces
Multi-agency collaboration and family involvement

Module 3: Individualised Planning and Review (90mins)

Mapping vulnerabilities and safeguarding risks; review or/and updating EHCPs
Collaborative identification of effective strategies
Ongoing review and adaptation

The course is tailored to address the needs of the child or adult you support who might experience difficulties with transitions due to demand avoidance, perserverative fixated thinking, fluctuating environmental capacity, hormonal or HPA Axis changes, anxiety, or/and aversion to change.

These transitions, if left unplanned or where assumptions are made, may place individuals at risk, triggering stuck trauma brain stem responses of feeling unsafe, loss, or lack of control. This can result in heightened anxiety, withdrawal, or difficulties in adapting to new circumstances. Recognising and addressing these possible reactions early on is essential for fostering a supportive and resilient environment.

Key Learning Outcomes

Deep understanding of cognitive, physical, and behavioural impacts of FASD on transitions
Practical strategies to support adaptive functioning and emotional regulation
Best practice for communication barriers, routine, repetition, and consistency to underpin support approaches

This course is currently partially subsidised to help meet Ofsted in promoting good practice in supporting the NICE Quality Standards in FASD, highlighting the critical importance of getting transitions right for vulnerable children, young people and adults.

To book a place early to start considering the next transition email us: info@fasdinformed.co.uk

Please find information on our other courses here