Fresh Start in Education

Fresh Start in Education is one of the UK’s leading providers of alternative education, engagement and specialist support for children and young people facing barriers to learning.

For over 15 years, we have worked in partnership with Local Authorities, schools and families to support students with a wide range of needs, including SEND, SEMH, EBSA, school refusal, disengagement from education and complex safeguarding concerns. Our bespoke packages are designed to re-engage young people with learning, rebuild confidence and create meaningful pathways back into education and positive outcomes.

Alongside our direct student support, we provide high-quality Continuing Professional Development (CPD), training and consultancy for education professionals. Our training draws upon extensive frontline experience supporting thousands of young people across the UK and focuses on relational practice, behaviour support, trauma-informed approaches, safeguarding and inclusive education.

Through initiatives such as the STAND Behaviour Framework, we aim to help schools and professionals develop greater confidence, consistency and understanding when supporting children with additional needs and behavioural challenges.

At Fresh Start in Education, we believe every young person deserves access to education that is safe, supportive and centred around their individual needs. Our work is driven by a commitment to collaboration, innovation and creating sustainable, long-term change for young people, schools and communities.

Fresh Start in Education is fully committed to ensuring that every child and young person placed within our provision is safe, supported, and able to thrive within a nurturing and structured environment. Our approach to boarding, safeguarding, health and wellbeing is embedded across all areas of practice and underpinned by robust policies, safer recruitment procedures, person-centred planning and multi-agency working.

Although the Company does not operate residential boarding facilities, we recognise the importance of providing consistent, safe, and emotionally secure environments for children and young people who may have experienced trauma, exclusion, adverse childhood experiences, social care involvement, or significant disruption to education. Our provisions are designed to mirror the protective and nurturing principles expected within high-quality boarding and care environments through structured routines, trusted adult relationships, supervision, emotional support and safeguarding oversight.

Safeguarding is central to all aspects of service delivery. The Company maintains a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection framework that ensures all staff understand their statutory responsibilities under Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children. All Education Specialists and staff complete safer recruitment checks prior to appointment, including enhanced DBS checks with Barred List clearance, identity verification, employment history checks, references and safeguarding training. Staff undertake mandatory annual refresher training in Child Protection, Prevent Duty, Online Safety, Data Protection and behaviour management.

Each child or young person receives an individualised Impact, Engagement and Education Plan (IEEP) prior to placement commencing. This holistic assessment identifies educational, social, emotional, behavioural, health and safeguarding needs, including known risks, vulnerabilities, medical conditions and protective factors. Risk assessments and Positive Handling Plans are implemented where required and reviewed regularly to ensure strategies remain appropriate and effective. The Company works closely with families, schools, local authorities, social workers, SEND teams, CAMHS and other professionals to maintain coordinated safeguarding support and information sharing.

Students are supervised throughout all commissioned sessions, including transition times and community-based activities. Education Specialists are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the student at all times and maintain regular communication with Education Coordinators and safeguarding leads. Sessions delivered within homes or community venues are fully risk assessed to ensure safe learning environments are maintained.

The health and wellbeing of children and young people is fundamental to our person-centred approach. Many students referred to the Company present with SEMH needs, anxiety, trauma-related behaviours, EBSA, neurodiversity or low self-esteem. Our interventions therefore prioritise emotional regulation, relationship-building, resilience, confidence and self-worth alongside academic progress. We apply inclusive and trauma-informed approaches that support emotional stability and reduce barriers to learning.

Programmes are tailored to individual strengths, interests and aspirations to encourage engagement and positive wellbeing outcomes. Students are actively involved in setting SMART targets within their Personal Learning Plan (PLP), helping them develop ownership of their progress and future goals. Opportunities to celebrate achievement, however small, are embedded throughout the provision to increase confidence and motivation.

Health and wellbeing education is integrated through PSHE, enrichment activities, life skills and therapeutic-informed interventions. Where appropriate, students are supported to access wider services including CAMHS, Early Help, SEND support services and community wellbeing organisations. Staff also support families through guidance, signposting and collaborative working to strengthen stability beyond the educational placement.

Through robust safeguarding systems, vigilant staff practice, strong professional partnerships and a compassionate person-centred ethos, Fresh Start in Education remains committed to creating safe, supportive and positive learning environments where vulnerable children and young people can re-engage with education, improve wellbeing and achieve successful long-term outcomes.