Short Course Outline: 'FASD Informed' Transitions

5 days ago
2 min read

Essential Safeguarding Support for Schools and Colleges supporting children, young people and adults with complex needs

Bespoke Workshop for Education and Multi-Agency Teams

This specialised short course offers a practical, online workshop format 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 holistic transition plans, ensuring safeguarding risks are considered for each individual.

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, 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 children who experience difficulties with transitions due to demand avoidance, preservation instincts, fluctuating capacity, hormonal or HPA Axis changes, anxiety, 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.

Who Should Attend?

Designed for education staff, multi-disciplinary teams, and families supporting children and young people 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

Early booking is encouraged to allow for careful planning and gentle transition processes. The workshop includes family consultation where possible, to collaboratively identify strategies and develop a robust transition plan.

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

The course is partially subsidised to help meet Ofsted and NICE Quality Standards, 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