For parents and carers
If school has stopped working,that is where we begin
You do not need the right words, a diagnosis or a plan already in place to talk to us. Most families reach us exhausted by systems that asked their child to change before anyone made them feel safe.
Safety
Nothing begins until a young person is regulated and feels physically and emotionally safe in the environment and with the adults in it.
Connection
Trusted, consistent relationships come next. Behaviour is communication; connection is what makes it legible and workable.
Change
Learning, accreditation and preparation for adulthood follow once safety and connection hold. Progress is the outcome, not the entry requirement.
How it usually starts
Four steps, at your child's pace
A conversation
An informal chat about your child, with no forms and no commitment.
A visit
You and your child visit the site, meet staff and see what a day involves.
Referral and funding
The school, college or local authority makes the referral; we support that conversation.
A gentle start
A short, low-demand introduction that grows into an agreed pattern of days.
Questions families ask
Straight answers
If your question is not here, call us. We would rather have an honest conversation than have you guess.
07403 015891My child has not attended school for months. Is that a problem?
No. A significant number of the young people who join us have not been in education for a long time. We start with attendance tolerance, not a full timetable, and build from there.
Do we need an EHCP?
Not necessarily. We support learners with and without an EHCP. What matters is whether the placement is the right fit and who is funding it, usually a school, college or the local authority.
Who pays for a placement?
Placements are commissioned by schools, colleges or local authorities. We can talk you through how to raise it with your school or SEN caseworker, and we are happy to speak to them directly.
Can we visit first?
Yes, and we recommend it. Families and young people are welcome to visit informally before any decision is made. Familiarity is part of feeling safe.
What if my child struggles on a given day?
That is expected, not a failure. Days can be shortened, reshaped or moved. We record what happened, work out what it was communicating, and adjust the plan.
How will we know how they are doing?
You will have a named contact and regular updates. Progress is recorded daily against the young person's plan, so reviews are based on real evidence rather than impressions.
A note for families
"Your child is not behind. They have been asked to do the hardest thing, learning, in a place that did not yet feel safe. We change the order."
Wild Minds Alternative Provision