BROMLEY COUNCIL SEND OFFER
Parents and Carers – SEND in the Secondary School years
The secondary school years is a time of change for young people. Between ages 11 and 16, young people develop greater independence, form their identity, manage more complex relationships, and experience increased academic expectations.
For young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), secondary school can bring both new challenges and opportunities. The move to a larger school environment, different teachers, a faster pace of learning, and higher expectations around organisation and independence can feel overwhelming without the right support.
Support during this stage focuses on helping young people:
- Access learning in an inclusive way
- Build confidence and resilience
- Develop independence and self‑advocacy skills
- Maintain positive emotional wellbeing
- Prepare for adulthood, further education, or training
We work closely with families, young people, and schools to ensure the right support is in place at the right time.
If you’re concerned about your young person
It’s common for concerns to become more noticeable during the secondary school years, especially as academic and social demands increase. If you’re worried about how your young person is coping, support is available.
Things to look out for:
Learning and progress
- Finding lessons increasingly challenging
- Needing more support with homework, exams, or coursework
- Gaps in learning affecting confidence or understanding
Organisation and independence
- Frequently forgetting equipment, homework, or timetables
- Finding it hard to manage multiple subjects or teachers
- Requiring high levels of adult support to manage day‑to‑day routines
Emotional wellbeing and mental health
- Anxiety linked to school, exams, friendships, or attendance
- Reduced confidence, withdrawal, or persistent low mood
- Signs of increased stress, including emotional outbursts, or shutdowns
Behaviour and regulation
- Challenges with behavioural regulation in class or social spaces
- Difficulties coping with change or understanding expectations
- Increased distress linked to attendance or avoidance of school
Friendships and social interaction
- Finding it difficult to form or maintain friendships
- Experiences of bullying or periods of social isolation
- Difficulties understanding social cues or peer expectations
Physical, sensory, or health needs
- Sensory sensitivities (noise, crowds, lights)
- Fatigue, medical conditions, or physical access needs
What can you do first?
Talk to your child
- Encourage them to share what’s working and what feels difficult
- Support them to express their views and preferences
Talk to the school
- Contact your young person’s Form Tutor, Head of Year, or SENCO
- Ask how your young person is coping academically, socially, and emotionally
Involve your young person
- Ensure your young person is involved in these conversations
Speak to health professionals
- GP, School Nurse, or CAMHS (where appropriate) for health or emotional concerns
Find your GP.
Find your school nurse.
Get early help
- Contact Early Intervention and Family Support (EIFS) for wider family support
Find out more about the Early Intervention and Family Support Service.
Find out more about accessing a mentor.
Where to find support
Find local services and resources available in Bromley for families and children, including support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Explore practical help, community activities, and guidance to support your child to have positive and fulfilling primary school years.
Starting secondary school
Starting secondary school is a significant milestone for young people and their families. For many, it is an exciting time, but it can also bring feelings of anxiety or uncertainty, particularly for young people with SEND.
Secondary schools are bigger, busier environments with:
- Multiple teachers and classrooms
- Increased academic expectations
- Greater social pressures
- Higher expectations around independence
This section offers practical guidance to help make the move as smooth and positive as possible.
Preparing your young person for change
Young people with SEND often benefit from extra preparation and clear information.
Helpful strategies
Understand the school environment
- Visit the school site in advance, including classrooms, corridors, canteen, and toilets
- Ask for a map, visual guide, or video tour if available
Build routine and organisation skills
- Practice using a timetable, planner, or digital reminders
- Develop routines for packing bags, organising homework, and preparing uniform
Use visual and practical supports
- Visual timetables, checklists, or colour‑coded folders
- Social stories explaining a typical school day
Talk about differences from primary school
- Moving between lessons
- Different teachers and expectations
- Larger peer groups and social changes
Emotional and social support during transition
- Identify a key adult (such as a SENCO, mentor, Form Tutor or inclusion lead)
- Agree a clear point of contact for concerns
- Discuss quiet spaces, sensory breaks, or time‑out options if needed
- Plan for emotional regulation strategies during the school day
Young people may “hold it together” at school and release emotions at home. Allowing space to decompress after school can be very helpful.
Working with the secondary school
Good communication between families, young people, and schools is essential.
Schools should:
- Share information from primary school
- Involve families in transition planning
- Adjust support as needs change
You can ask about:
- Transition visits or phased starts
- SEN Support or EHCP arrangements
- Homework expectations and reasonable adjustments
- Support with exams, assessments, and anxiety
School Nursing support
School Nursing can support with anything health-related and has a School Nurse (SN) attached to every mainstream school. They can help with medical needs, health care plans, and general wellbeing. If you have any health concerns for your child, the school can put you in touch with the School Nurse.
Learn more:
SEND support in schools
Education support for every child
Looking ahead
The secondary years also involve preparing for adulthood. Support increasingly focuses on:
- Building independence
- Developing self‑advocacy
- Understanding strengths, interests, and future options
Young people should be encouraged and supported to have a voice in decisions about their education and support.
Learn more about Preparing for Adulthood (PfA).
Visit Young SEND Matters, a website specifically for young people with SEND.
Home to school travel
Travel information for children and young people with SEND
Having the right travel information can make a big difference for families. This section of the SEND Local Offer explains the options available to help children and young people get to school or college.
Home to school travel
Most children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can travel to school or college safely without extra help from the council.
However, some children and young people need support with travel. To help them access education, Bromley Council offers education travel assistance based on clear policies.
You can find out more information about eligibility, and read the policies on the Bromley Council’s Education Travel Assistance website page.
Travelling and getting out and about
Travelling and getting out and about
As children become teenagers, they may want to travel independently. Many young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) need extra support to do this safely. In Bromley we have services and support to help them gain confidence in travelling alone.
Education Travel Assistance
Travel training helps children and young people who are eligible for Education Travel Assistance develop the confidence and skills to travel safely and independently. The programme supports young people to become more independent, both now and as they prepare for adulthood.
Our experienced travel trainers work on a one-to-one basis with each young person, providing personalised support tailored to their individual needs, abilities and travel goals. Training is delivered in stages and progresses at a pace that is right for the young person.
Young people can build their confidence and independence using buses, trains and walking routes, developing practical skills such as:
- Road and personal safety
- Planning journeys
- Using timetables
- Buying tickets
- Knowing what to do if something goes wrong, such as a delayed or cancelled bus
- Understanding how and where to ask for help
- Travelling confidently within their local community
Independent travel training can help young people develop important life skills that support greater independence, access to education, employment opportunities and participation in community life.
You can find out more information and eligibility at Bromley Council’s Education Travel Assistance website page.
Watch the videos to find out more about Bromley’s Travel Training Programme
Travel training programme through CASPA
The travel training programme delivered through CASPA, is a course designed to help young people and adults (18+) navigate streets and use public transportation independently. The course includes:
- Route planning: Learn how to read maps and schedules to plan your trips.
- Safety tips: Discover how to stay safe and recognise important landmarks.
- Communication advice: Pick up handy tips for engaging with transport staff and fellow passengers.
- Hands-on practice: Experience real-life travel scenarios with our friendly trainers.
Find out more about the new CASPA travel training.
Using public transport (buses, trains and trams)
The TfL Go app and journey planner give the best routes between stations, bus stops, places of interest, addresses or postcodes. You can also set the time you want to travel and whether you want to take the fastest route or the one with fewest changes or least walking involved. It can also tell you quieter times at your station.
TfL also produces a range of accessibility maps and guides that you can order or download.
Plan: A simple guide for safe travel
Encourage your child to use the PLAN method when travelling:
Prepare
- Plan your journey – think “How do I get there?” and “How do I get back?” before you leave.
- Tell someone where you are going, who with and when you arrive back.
- If you can, travel with friends or somebody you know.
- Think about any possible dangers.
- Have a list of phone numbers to contact if things go wrong.
Look confident
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that let you move easily.
- Remember your body language – stand tall and look like you know where you are going.
- Carry a shriek alarm (and learn how to use it), emergency phone numbers, some change in your pocket, and keep your keys in a safe pocket.
Avoid risks and be aware of what’s happening
- Keep looking at and listening to what’s happening around you.
- Keep away from odd or out-of-the-way places wherever you can.
- When you travel at night, try to wait in a brightly lit place and be aware of your surroundings.
- Try not to change plans at the last minute – or if you have to, tell someone.
- Keep your personal belongings close to you at all times.
- Only use your mobile phone if you really have to.
- Keep one hand free – not in your pocket or cluttered up with shopping.
Never take your safety for granted
Never say to yourself:
- “It only happens to other people”.
- “It’s only a short journey”.
- “They look honest”.
More information
Travel schemes and passes
Travel schemes and passes
You may also be able to access other travel schemes, such as:
- Disabled parking and Blue Badge scheme
- Freedom Passes
- Travel cards
Transport for London
You may be eligible for free and discounted travel on buses, trams and other transport services.
Learn more about Zip Oyster Photocards and 18+ Student Oyster Photocards at Transport for London’s website.
Disabled persons Freedom Pass
This pass is for people under the age of 60 who have disabilities who wish to travel free on London buses, London Underground and Overground trains which includes some National Rail services.
Learn more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
16 to 19 Bursary Fund
You could get a bursary to help with education-related costs if you’re 16 to 19 years and:
- studying at school or college (not university) in England
- on a training course, including unpaid apprenticeships
A bursary is money that you, or your education or training provider, can use to pay for things like:
- clothing, books and other equipment for your course
- transport and lunch on days you study or train
Learn more about the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.
Disabled Person’s Railcard
If you have a disability that makes travelling by train difficult, you may be eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard. This card gives you 1/3 off rail fares on the National Rail network in Great Britain. If you travel with another adult, they also get 1/3 off their fare. You can use the railcard at any time of day.
To apply, you’ll need to provide evidence of your eligibility.
Find out more and apply online at Disabled Person’s Railcard website.
Taxi Cards
The Taxicard scheme provides subsidised door-to-door transport for people who have serious permanent or long term mobility or vision impairments and have difficulty in using public transport.
Bromley is a member of the scheme, which is jointly funded by Transport for London and all the London boroughs. It is administered by London Councils.
Learn more about the Taxicard scheme.
Disability equipment and transport
Discover government guidance on transport support for people with disabilities and their families, including available services and equipment.
Learn more about disability equipment and transport.
Disabled Parking and Blue Badge Scheme
The Blue Badge scheme is for people with severe mobility problems. It allows Blue Badge holders to park close to where they need to go. The Blue Badge is registered to a person and not to a vehicle.
Find out more about the Blue Badge Scheme in Bromley.
Transport for London accessibility guides
Transport for London produce a range of guides in alternative formats to help you plan and make journeys. Guides are available as audio maps, large print maps and guides that show lifts and step free access. All these guides can be obtained free of charge by completing an online order.
Learn more about the accessibility guides.
Help when travelling on London Transport
You can get help when planning your route or when travelling with London Transport from their passenger assist service by calling their helpline 0343 222 2000.
Transport for London staff are trained to offer assistance and support, they have produced a handy printable travel support card to help you to communicate when you need assistance or information when travelling.
Find out about national SEND reforms, Bromley’s Local SEND Reform Plan, and how we are working with partners, children, young people and families to improve SEND services in Bromley.
For free, impartial advice, contact Bromley IASS (Information, Advice and Support Service).