In this episode, we explore the “bedrock principles” behind effective transition care with Douglas Ota of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN). The conversation unpacks how mobility affects the whole human system; students, parents, educators, and employers and why belonging, attachment security, and honest conversations about grief and change are essential to flourishing communities.
We also preview SPAN’s new series and how schools and organisations can cultivate environments where people feel seen, soothed, and safe.

Discussion Highlights

• Why SPAN exists: Mobility isn’t bounded by a single school; emotional systems travel with people. SPAN creates long-term community and professional support across schools and roles.
• Belonging as bedrock: People who feel they belong do better. Schools and organisations must model and nurture belonging to support healthy transitions.
• Attachment security matters: A core belief that “someone will be there for me” supports learning, parenting, teaching and leading. Avoid “playing it safe” emotionally; lean into relationships.
• The yin–yang of mobility: Mobility offers opportunity and loss. Acknowledge both. Clear hellos require clear goodbyes; honour leave-taking to enable healthy re-entry.
• Whole-community approach: Effective transitions care spans students, staff, parents and extends to employers. Senior leadership buy-in is critical to culture change.
• Choosing a school: SPAN membership signals a school’s commitment to mobility-aware practices; a school community itself can become a secure “attachment object.”
• Practical timing: The “emotional year” starts in March/April begin farewells early; make goodbyes visible and supported.
• The Nest & new series: SPAN’s monthly community forum, The Nest (first Thursday, 14:00 CET), launches a seven-part series on the bedrock principles (starting Thursday, 6 November).

About the Organisation (SPAN)

Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) is a global community dedicated to improving transition care for mobile students, families, and educators. Through training, resources, and its open monthly forum The Nest, SPAN supports schools and organisations to embed practices that foster belonging and attachment security. SPAN collaborates across the international education ecosystem to scale professional learning and impact.

About the Speaker

Doug Ota is a researcher, author, health (GZ) and child (NIP K&J) psychologist, and specialist in how transitions affect people.  Doug has always had a passion for the theme of mobility and belonging.  He is the author of Safe Passage: How Mobility Affects People and What International Schools Should Do About It (2014).  Safe Passage led to the founding of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN) in 2016 (www.spanschools.org), an international non-profit supporting transitions in educational settings.  It also gave rise to the Safe Passage Attachment Study in International Schools (SPASIS), the basis for his Ph.D.Doug studied Religion at Princeton University (1993) and Clinical Child Psychology at the University of Leiden (2000, cum laude).  His clinical qualifications are as a NIP Child Psychologist (2008) and a BIG-registered Gezondheidszorg (GZ) Psychologist (2023).  Doug earned his PhD in developmental psychology, under the supervision of Professor Marinus van IJzendoorn, one of the world's leading researchers in attachment theory.  His PhD investigated levels of attachment security in international schools, and the novel idea that schools could be attachment objects for their students.  Sponsored by the Council of International Schools (CIS), Doug’s work has led to transitions-related standards becoming adopted into CIS accreditation standards for its schools worldwide.Doug has a private and online practice as a child, family, and couples therapist (www.safepassage.nl).  The father of three fine adults, Doug lives with his wife in The Hague, Netherlands.  For fun, he still runs marathons, and he welcomes any runners from the mobile community to get mobile with him.

Learn More

• Find out more about SPAN here https://www.spanschools.org/
• Explore SPAN’s forthcoming Bedrock Principles series (seven sessions).
• Read more on transitions care and international education at Relocate Global and Think Global People.
• Watch more webinars from our International Education & Schools Fair series.

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Read Relocate Global's Guide to International Education & Schools which is packed with expert tips and information for those relocating and the professionals supporting them.

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