Alternative Education Provision
We have been running a successful Alternate Education Provision for young people in the Plymouth area for nine years and are now transferring our skills to Devon.
Our Alternative Education provision offers a valued based approach that focuses on building positive relationships. Creating a supportive and inclusive environment, and empowering children to take an active role in their own self learning and development.
This can be especially effective for children who are difficult to engage, whether due to emotional struggles or past experiences of trauma or other challenges.
By providing safety and consistency, our Valued based approach can help children feel more secure and supported, leading to greater engagement and participation towards their formal and or social learning.
Values Based Education Curriculum
Our individualised Values Based Curriculum, and our experienced Support-ed team, work with the young person to understand and recognise their inner values whilst undertaking specific targeted work to develop identified values. This is achieved by named workers who are identified to meet the young person's specific needs and interests, who can take advantage of the 1-2-1 working environment to tailor a meaningful learning experience for our young people, helping them to overcome barriers and achieve their goals in education and life.
A Holistic Approach
We have created a holistic group of workers who all bring their own areas of expertise to enhance the self-learning of the young person, whilst supporting their families and schools.
Tailored Education
Some of our qualified educators/teachers can take advantage of the 1-2-1 context in that we work creatively to tailor a meaningful learning experience, whilst developing a thirst for self-learning using the young person's passions and interests.
Commited To You
Support-ed connects with and works with young people who have experienced difficulties that continue to impact their lives. Our specialist provision provides a platform to give them the best opportunity to get them back on track: We don't give up!
When working with young people, Support'ed recognise that accessing education begins with a strong value base. During their first term, each young person we support will focus on the following 8 values
Self-Care
Self care is giving the world the best of you. Instead of what's left of you.
Learn more >Courage
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.
Learn more >Friendship
A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you for who you are today.
Learn more >Hope
Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.
Learn more >Community
Community is much more than belonging to something; it's about doing something together that makes belonging matter.
Learn more >Empathy
Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, hearing with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.
Learn more >Happiness
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Learn more >Trust
Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient that holds all relationships.
Learn more >An Outstanding Track Record
92%
Engagement rate with young people in our provisions
78%
Successfully maintained their education provision or transitioned to other formal education provision
50%
Success rate in finding employment (Within Post 16)
75%
Success rate in transitioning into a formal post-16 education/vocational provision (Within Post 16)
One young man we supported was at risk of being removed from the family home due to the nature of his behaviour towards his parents and younger siblings. We spent time getting to know him, allowing him to open up and talk about the things which challenge him. We found an educational setting which could cater for his specific needs and interests and transitioned him into it. He is now attending and building his skill set so that he can move forward towards his goal of employment when college is finished. Life at home for the family has improved significantly and the risk of the young person being removed from the home has been reduced
We specialise in working with young people who:
- Have experienced several Adverse Childhood Events, leading to trauma and attachment difficulties and have therefore struggled to engage in or maintain attendance within an educational environment.
- Have experienced or are at risk of a family breakdown.
- Are within the care system or at risk of entering the care system.
- Have a range of learning needs, including Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, learning difficulties etc.
- Experience high levels of anxiety and need extra support to help them understand themselves and guidance on the next steps that they need to take.
- Have a history of drug and alcohol misuse and may be at risk of County Lines
Extracurricular Encouragement
Martial Arts
Our martial arts coach uses this discipline to engage young people and help them channel and develop their values positively and physically whilst learning ways to manage their frustrations. Many transferable skills come from learning martial arts which will help young people grow and develop in other areas of their lives.
Here are some of the benefits that martial arts have to offer:
Mind: memory, confidence, self-control, problem-solving, adapting.
Body: balance, coordination, flexibility, physical health, resilience.
Spirit: patience, respect, integrity, humility, perseverance
Climbing
The extreme level of focus you need to move in a fluid and precise way is soothing and meditative - it can take you out of a bad day. There's a problem-solving aspect; you have a set of holds on a wall, and this challenges you to visualise how your body at various tensions, extensions, and contortions can get you from A to B, much like life this becomes a puzzle, each route becomes a riddle to solve, there's a sequence, a series of movements and techniques you must unlock to achieve your goal.
Engaging with nature
We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country and we utilise what is available to us when working with young people. We find that this enables all involved to allow their senses to open up and to look outwardly, bringing a sense of relaxation and freedom. Spending time in nature can help improve self-esteem and mood (1) and nature walks benefit people suffering from depression. (2). A recent study revealed that spending time outdoors reduces stress by lowering the stress hormone cortisol (3) Nature walks and other outdoor activities can help build attention and focus and spending more time outdoors and less time with our electronic devices can increase our problem-solving skills and improve our creative abilities (4).
- Barton J, Pretty J, 2010, What is the best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi Study Analysis, Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 10, 3947-3955. Available at: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es903183r
- Berman M.G. et al, 2012, Interacting with Nature Improves and Cognition for Individuals with Depression, Journal of Affective Disorders, 140, 3, 300-305. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3393816/pdf/nihms-364275.pdf
- Gidlow C. et al, 2016, natural environments and chronic stress measured by hair cortisol, Landscape and Urban Planning, 148, 61-67. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289531587_Natural_environments_and_chronic_stress_measured_by_hair_cortisol
- Atchley R.A., Strayer D.L., Atchley P, 2012, Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning through Immersion in Natural Settings, PLoS ONE, 7,12: e51474 Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0051474
Being active and taking part in a sporting activity and the wider community is incredibly beneficial to our physical and mental well-being, the two of course being inextricably linked. We create opportunities for our young people to access a variety of different sports.
The aims are to:
- Improve physical health
- Improve mental well-being
- Provide structure through a fun and physical activity
- Develop a healthy attitude towards goal setting and failure
- Develop focus, and determination and learn to overcome fear
