UK Edition: Social Narrative: Taking Breaks at Work, SEND, KS4 and Post-16

A UK edition social narrative for KS4, post 16 and young adult SEND learners. Taking Breaks at Work walks a young adult through breaks at work: knowing when the break is, where to go, using the toilet and staff room, keeping track of time, and getting back on time. It is written in first person in a calm, adult voice, with UK wording throughout.

Why I made this

Most social narratives I found were written for little children. The young people I work with are 14 to 25, and they deserve something that sounds like the world they are walking into. This one is short, respectful and practical, and it ends with a plan the learner can keep on their phone.

What's included (9 A4 pages)

• Teacher page: how to read it, when to read it, and how to fade it out

• Story pages in first person, with a simple picture box on each section

• Talk About It questions for a small group, a TA or a job coach

• Practice page: real situations with three choices, to pick the calm next step

• My Plan page to fill in for the learner's own real situation

• Discussion key

How I use it

Use it in the week before a placement, and pair it with a visual timer or a phone alarm on the day. Cross out and write in real names, places and times. The closer it matches real life, the more it helps. When the learner can do it on their own, they may only need the My Plan page.

Who it is for

KS4, sixth form, FE college and post 16 SEND groups, learners on SEN Support, supported internships and Preparing for Adulthood work. It fits employment, independent living, community and health outcomes in an EHCP.

What you download: one printable PDF, A4. An editable Word version is kept by the author. Licence: single teacher or setting.

Written by Jeremy D. Gooch, a teacher with 20+ years in education. Part of the Social Narratives UK series from The Transition Cliff.

Keywords: SEND, EHCP, Preparing for Adulthood, KS4, Post 16, social narrative, EHCP outcomes, autism, learning disability, visual supports, young adults, supported internship