Alternative Provision

Individualised programmes for children and young people who need a different pathway to engage with education and their world.

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At Childhood Matters, we believe that positive change begins with connection.

We provide bespoke Alternative Provision both online across the UK and face-to-face throughout Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, supporting children and young people who may be finding it difficult to engage with education, attend school regularly, or whose needs are not currently being fully met within their educational setting.

We have extensive experience supporting children and young people with a wide range of needs, including those who are neurodivergent, have social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, and those with associated communication, sensory, attachment and trauma-related differences. Our approach is strengths-based, relational and inclusive, with a focus on fostering a sense of belonging, developing self-belief, and enabling every young person to thrive in education, life and adulthood.

Our personalised programmes are designed to build confidence, nurture wellbeing, and develop resilience through meaningful relationships, mentoring, and engaging learning experiences. We work alongside each young person to identify their strengths, interests, talents and aspirations, creating support that feels relevant, motivating and empowering.

Face-to-Face Provision

Online Provision

Bespoke & Adapted Provision

Safeguarding

Policies & Key Information

Girl with a prosthetic leg drawing with chalk on the pavement

Every Child Has a Story. Every Child Deserves to Be Heard.

At Childhood Matters, we provide bespoke Alternative Provision — online across the UK and face-to-face across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire — for children and young people struggling to engage with or attend school. We work with a wide range of needs, including neurodivergence, SEMH, and communication, sensory, attachment and trauma-related differences. Through personalised programmes, trusted relationships and meaningful experiences, we help young people rebuild confidence, rediscover their strengths and reconnect with learning.

Make a referral

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Why choose us?

Our approach is built on a simple belief: children and young people thrive when they feel safe, understood and valued. We take time to understand the whole young person—their experiences, strengths, interests, aspirations and challenges. This enables us to create bespoke programmes that are engaging, purposeful and centred around what matters most to them. Alongside this personalised approach, we are uncompromising about the quality of the people who deliver our provision. We only work with highly experienced mentors, tutors and practitioners who bring not only the right qualifications and professional expertise, but also the relational skills, empathy and understanding needed to genuinely connect with young people. Every member of our team is carefully selected for their ability to build trust, respond to individual needs and create safe, supportive relationships where young people can begin to thrive. We do not take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to staffing, and we do not compromise on quality. Our commitment is simple: every child and young person deserves to be supported by people who are not only skilled, but who truly understand them and are able to make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Square Peg logo, opens in new tab

Working together to better understand absence from school & find effective inclusive solutions to the attendance crisis

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Childhood Matters is part of the UK Trauma Council’s Community of practice, an online community connecting professionals across health, social care, education and justice sectors to improve outcomes for children in complex situations with multiple needs.

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The Difference We Aim to Make

When children and young people feel understood, supported and empowered, they are more able to engage with learning, build positive relationships and believe in their own potential. Our aim is not simply to provide an alternative to education, but to create opportunities for children and young people to reconnect, grow and thrive—both now and in the future. Many of the children and young people we support have experienced challenges that have affected their confidence, wellbeing and engagement with education. Some may feel disconnected from learning, misunderstood, or uncertain about their future. Our role is to help them rediscover their strengths, rebuild self-belief and move forward with confidence. Through highly personalised programmes, trusted relationships and meaningful experiences, we create opportunities for children and young people to reconnect with themselves, with others and with learning.

Smiling boy in a supportive wheelchair playing with toys in a classroom

To provide outstanding alternative provision through a creative, therapeutic and individualised approach that nurtures wellbeing, strengthens self-belief and enables children and young people to thrive.

“Developing confidence, resilience and independence through caring relationships, meaningful connection, communication and creativity.”

Father helping his young son learn to ride a bike in the park

To support children and young people to overcome barriers to learning, wellbeing and participation, enabling them to develop the confidence, skills and resilience needed to achieve their potential.

Belonging and Safe Relationships sit at the heart of everything we do.

Our provision combines therapeutic, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches to create environments where children and young people can feel safe, valued and successful. Drawing upon approaches such as PACE, Therapeutic Thinking and trauma-informed practice, we support young people to develop emotional awareness, self-understanding, confidence and resilience. We recognise that progress looks different for every child. Success may be re-engaging with learning, developing friendships, improving emotional regulation, building independence or taking the next step towards future aspirations. Working alongside young people, families, schools and professionals, we create personalised pathways that focus on meaningful outcomes, sustainable progress and preparation for the future.

Our framework

CONNECT

Belonging, Wellbeing and Relationships

Children and young people are supported to develop trusting relationships, strengthen emotional wellbeing and experience a genuine sense of belonging. Through connection comes safety, and through safety comes the opportunity to grow. Young people are supported to:

Develop emotional awareness and self-regulation.
Build positive and trusting relationships.
Improve wellbeing and confidence.
Explore their identity, strengths and interests.
Re-engage with learning, experiences and opportunities.

GROW

Confidence, Skills and Independence

As confidence develops, we support young people to build the knowledge, skills and strategies needed to navigate both education and life. Learning is personalised, purposeful and linked to individual aspirations and outcomes. Young people are supported to:

Develop resilience and self-belief.
Strengthen communication and interpersonal skills.
Build independence and life skills.
Understand how they learn best.
Explore future pathways and possibilities.

THRIVE

Purpose, Participation and Future Success

We believe every child should be empowered to recognise their strengths, contribute positively to their community and look to the future with hope and ambition. Young people are supported to: