Fresh Start in Education
Fresh Start in Education is one of the UK's leading providers of personalised alternative education, supporting children and young people who are unable to access mainstream education because of SEND, SEMH needs, anxiety, trauma, exclusion, illness or other complex barriers to learning.
For over 15 years, we have partnered with schools, multi-academy trusts and local authorities to deliver flexible, high-quality education that re-engages pupils, improves attendance and supports successful reintegration wherever possible. Our nationwide network of experienced Education Specialists enables us to respond quickly and provide consistent support across the country, whether through 1:1 education, mentoring, transition support or specialist interventions.
Alongside direct provision, we work with trusts to strengthen inclusive practice through consultancy, trauma-informed training and strategic support. Our STAND Behaviour Framework equips school leaders and staff with practical, evidence-informed approaches to behaviour, relationships and inclusion, helping build sustainable capacity within schools rather than simply responding to crises.
What sets Fresh Start apart is our person-centred approach. Every programme is tailored to the individual young person, developed collaboratively with schools, families and professionals, and focused on achieving meaningful, long-term outcomes. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to engage, learn and thrive, and we work alongside trusts to make that a reality.
Fresh Start in Education provides flexible, nationwide support that helps school trusts meet the needs of pupils who are at risk of disengagement, exclusion or prolonged absence from education.
Our services include personalised 1:1 alternative provision, mentoring, reintegration support, transition programmes, SEND and SEMH interventions, EOTAS support, and specialist education for children with complex needs. We also work proactively with trusts to prevent exclusions, improve attendance, support emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), and develop sustainable pathways back into education wherever appropriate.
Beyond direct delivery, we help trusts strengthen their own capacity through trauma-informed training, behaviour and inclusion consultancy, leadership development, and our STAND Behaviour Framework. These services equip school leaders and staff with practical strategies to create safer, more inclusive learning environments where children can thrive.
We understand the pressures trusts face in balancing inclusion, outcomes, budgets and statutory responsibilities. Our flexible delivery model enables us to respond quickly, scale support across multiple schools, and tailor provision to individual pupils or wider trust priorities. We work collaboratively with school leaders, SEND teams, pastoral staff and local authorities to ensure every programme aligns with each school's goals and delivers measurable impact.
Whether supporting a single pupil in crisis or partnering with an entire trust to strengthen inclusive practice, our focus remains the same: helping more children stay connected to education, improving outcomes, and giving schools the confidence and expertise to meet increasingly complex needs.
At Fresh Start in Education, we believe that lasting change comes through partnership. We work alongside school trusts to develop solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also strengthen long-term inclusion, attendance and pupil outcomes.
We support trusts by providing responsive alternative provision, helping to reduce suspensions and exclusions, improve engagement, and enable successful reintegration into mainstream education wherever possible. At the same time, we equip school leaders and staff with the knowledge, confidence and practical strategies needed to build more inclusive cultures through training, consultancy and ongoing professional development.
Our commitment extends beyond the schools we directly support. We regularly contribute to sector-wide conversations through webinars, conferences, thought leadership, research and partnerships with leading education organisations. By sharing best practice, practical resources and evidence-informed approaches, we aim to help shape a more inclusive education system for all children and young people.
Everything we do is underpinned by a person-centred, trauma-informed philosophy and a belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed. By helping young people reconnect with education, rebuild confidence and recognise their potential, we aim to inspire hope for the future. Whether we are supporting an individual pupil, working with a trust to strengthen its inclusion strategy, or contributing to national discussions on alternative provision and SEND, our goal remains the same: to help create environments where every child can engage, belong, thrive, and look ahead with hope.
