Hundreds of young people with additional needs attended the Surrey Transitions Fair 2026, an event designed to help students explore future education, training and career opportunities after secondary school.
Hosted by Surrey County Council, the event brought together more than 30 exhibitors and representatives from 19 schools across the county, creating a supportive environment for young people and their families to discover available pathways and support services.
The fair focused on helping students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) gain greater awareness of opportunities in further education, employment, independent living and community support.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with education providers, employers, support organisations and training specialists, helping them better understand the next steps available to them.
Events such as the Surrey Transitions Fair play an important role in supporting inclusion, confidence building and long-term career planning for young people with additional needs.
The event also highlighted the value of collaboration between schools, local authorities, employers and community organisations in helping young people transition successfully into adulthood.
Surrey County Council continues to work closely with local partners to create opportunities that support positive outcomes and future independence for young people across the county.
What the fair covered
The event’s 30-plus exhibitors included colleges and educators, employers, employment support organisations, apprenticeship providers and social settings. All were dedicated to offering valuable guidance and information to help attendees make informed choices about their next steps.
A bespoke film featuring representatives from Surrey County Council’s facilities management contract was commissioned to demonstrate to students the people and the jobs that keep Woodhatch Place a safe, welcoming and accessible working environment. Students were inspired to hear about the types of roles available, learning how staff came to be employed in those roles and how they are continuing to enjoy their roles and grow their careers.
Before the fair started, exhibitors were introduced to Understand Us, who use first-hand lived experience to help organisations improve their services for both customers and employees who live with a learning disability.
One enthused student from The Park School commented: “Thank you so much. I loved it. I know so much more now about what I can do after school.”
And a teacher from Oxted School said “A fantastic opportunity for students who needed additional support and guidance about their future with some amazing exhibitors at hand, who had time to explain their products in a very patient and easy to understand manner.”
Exhibitors also found the event to be highly successful and worthwhile attending, with one representative from Activate Learning commenting: “Events like this play a vital role in ensuring career fairs are accessible to everyone, offering meaningful interactions and opportunities that are achievable for attendees.”
To find out more about Surrey Careers Hub, and about the skills, training and employment support that Surrey County Council can provide, visit STEP Surrey, our skills, training and employment portal today at: www.STEPSurrey.co.uk
About Surrey Careers Hub
Surrey Careers Hub plays a vital role in connecting education with employment, helping all young people, including those with additional needs and disabilities, to identify and progress to their best next step. At the heart of the Careers Hub is the belief that every young person deserves the strongest possible start to adult life, with the freedom to choose their own path and achieve their full potential.
The Surrey Careers Hub sits within Surrey County Council’s Economy and Growth Team. Working in partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company, it collaborates with careers leaders, educators, employers and training providers to inspire and prepare young people through high-quality, modern careers education fit for the 21st century.
List of exhibitors:
Achieve Together
Activate Learning
Adult Services
Ambitious College
Art Venture
Brooklands College
Choice Care Group
Consensus Support
Skills, Training & Employment Portal – STEP Surrey
County Care
Derwen College
Dramatize
Early Years Workforce Development
Edge Disability
Family Information Service
The Grange
Halow Project
Jigsaw Plus
Linkable
MIT Skills
Nescot
nviro
Orchard Hill College
Parity
Professional Training Solutions
Ringway
SEND Advice Surrey
Skills Bootcamps
Sunnybank Trust
Surrey Choices
Surrey Youth Voice
Voluntary Action South-East