Information for parents and Carers

The special educational needs system

Navigating the special educational needs systems can be complicated, exhausting and also isolating. Everything can seem like a battle in addition to the extra care and support children and young people with SEND require at home. When mainstream or special school placements don’t seem to work, options can seem very limited. 

Alternative provision

Alternative provision can help to re-engage a young person who has lost trust in the education system, it can be a temporary support or a more long-term solution. 

At Sendeducate we can offer your child or young person structured 1:1 alternative educational programmes, or stand alone sessions, designed to engage individuals in exciting and motivating experiences, where they can learn incidentally by doing, making and creating. There are many invaluable transferrable skills that can be gained from the different programmes and sessions we have on offer. Perhaps most importantly, we see children ad young people who have had difficult educational experiences regain trust and confidence, and recover a sense of wellbeing. All of our experienced educators are industry professionals or experts in animal care and animal enrichment learning sessions. Our team specialise in creating a non-judgemental space where individuals can feel supported and understood. Rethinking learning in a different, non-school based environment is often the first step on the road to making a lasting and meaningful difference in the child or young person's learning journey.

Our bespoke, carefully planned, 1: 1 sessions, tailored to your child’s needs, support their development and ability to engage in a way that is entirely different to classroom-based, traditional learning, as there are no curriculum constraints or distractions and the tutor's focus is entirely on the young person. Because we use creative activities taught by expert industry professionals, including jewellery making, pottery/ceramics, Dj-ing/music production, singing/songwriting and  recreational activities such as yoga and dance, as-well as equine-assisted learning and the outdoors, young people are able to experience a strengths-based approach to their education that will help them thrive. This different, hands-on learning is often transformative, allowing young people who previously struggled to reach their potential. And the positive impact from these sessions can support a child to achieve their goals at home, in education and in life, and in many cases it can help parents to see what their child or young person can achieve once their needs are met and supported. 

Choosing an Alternative Provision for your Child: 

Some children and young people find mainstream school challenging and extremely anxiety-provoking. If your child has been avoiding school or is ‘refusing’ to attend school, in our experience, most often the cause is severe anxiety. If your child already has a diagnosis of any underlying SEND, anxiety is most likely to be a co-morbid condition of their primary diagnosis, for example Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, even if your child or young person does not have a formal diagnosis yet, avoidant behaviours are highly indicative of an underlying special educational need and/or disability. Alternative provision can bridge the engagement gap and help children to regain confidence in education.

Finding the right kind of alternative education can be a 

daunting and sometimes frustrating prospect, but we are here to help. 

At Sendeducate we frequently receive enquiries from parents who need help with this process, as they just need some advice in terms of what their choices are and what criteria to look out for when choosing a suitable alternative provision.

For more information on Alternative Provision we have put together an informative guide within our FAQs section: