EBSNA & School Avoidance
Anxiety, emotional barriers or distress affecting a young person's ability to attend or access education.
Who We Support
Personalised Alternative Provision for Young People Who Need a Different Approach
Reconnect Learning supports children and young people experiencing EBSNA, SEND, SEMH needs, persistent absence, school avoidance, exclusion risk, disrupted education or difficulty accessing mainstream education.
We look beyond the referral reason to understand the learner, identify barriers to education and create a personalised pathway towards engagement, learning, confidence and positive progression.
Every Learner is Different
Understand the learner. Then build the pathway.
Every Young Person Has a Story
Disengagement is rarely just about education
Persistent absence, school avoidance, low motivation, distressed behaviour or withdrawal can reflect anxiety, unmet SEND needs, trauma, sensory difficulties, disrupted education, low confidence or a history of feeling unsuccessful or misunderstood.
Reconnect Learning takes time to understand what has happened, what the young person needs now and what a realistic next step could look like. We do not begin with a fixed programme. We begin with the learner.
Our Approach
We look beyond the referral reason to understand
the person, the barrier and the pathway forward.
Common Referral Needs
Support when mainstream education is not currently working
Young people rarely fit neatly into one category. Referrals often involve overlapping educational, emotional, SEND, attendance and social needs.
Persistent Absence
Learners with reduced attendance who need a gradual, relationship-led route back into education.
SEND & EHCP Needs
Personalised education adapted around additional needs, communication and agreed outcomes.
SEMH Needs
Education and mentoring for learners whose social, emotional or mental health needs affect participation.
Exclusion Risk
Early intervention and alternative provision where behaviour or disengagement is threatening placement.
Disrupted Education
Educational continuity following placement changes, transitions or periods without suitable provision.
Who We Support
Personalised education for a wide range of barriers
Our alternative provision and personalised tuition can support learners with complex or overlapping needs. The provision is shaped around the individual rather than asking the individual to fit a standard programme.
01
EBSNA, School Avoidance & Persistent Absence
For learners whose attendance has reduced because education has become emotionally difficult to access. Support focuses on trust, emotional safety, manageable expectations and gradual re-engagement.
02
SEND & Additional Needs
For learners with diagnosed or emerging additional needs including autism, ADHD, communication differences, sensory needs, learning difficulties, SEMH needs or outcomes identified through an EHCP.
03
Exclusion, Behaviour & Placement Breakdown
For young people at risk of suspension, permanent exclusion or breakdown of placement. Behaviour is considered in context, with support focused on regulation, relationships, accountability, engagement and future success.
04
Interrupted or Disrupted Education
For learners experiencing gaps in education following placement changes, care transitions, family circumstances, medical needs, delayed placements or periods without suitable provision.
05
SEMH & Emotional Wellbeing Barriers
For learners where anxiety, grief, trauma, low confidence, emotional overwhelm or relationship difficulties are affecting access to learning. Educational and mentoring support can provide a calmer route back into participation.
06
Preparing for Adulthood & Positive Destinations
For older learners who need a practical pathway towards qualifications, college, training, employment, independence or greater confidence about their next stage.
EBSNA & Persistent Absence
Re-engagement cannot always begin at the school gate
When a learner has become emotionally unable to access school, increasing pressure can sometimes increase the barrier.
Our EBSNA support can begin with relationship-building, manageable routines and personalised education before gradually working towards increased participation and an agreed positive destination.
Stage 01
Reduce the Barrier
Understand what is preventing the learner from accessing education.
Stage 02
Build Trust
Establish a consistent relationship and predictable routine.
Stage 03
Reintroduce Learning
Increase participation and academic challenge at an appropriate pace.
Stage 04
Plan Progression
Work towards reintegration, transition or another agreed educational pathway.
Understanding the Whole Learner
We consider more than the presenting concern
Effective alternative provision depends on seeing the wider picture around the young person.
Education History
Attendance, placements, progress,
exclusions and previous experiences.
Strengths & Interests
Motivation, confidence, interests
and existing successes.
SEND & Communication
Additional needs, EHCP outcomes,
communication and accessibility.
Wellbeing
Emotional readiness, anxiety,
confidence and regulation.
Safeguarding & Risk
Known vulnerabilities and
safe-delivery requirements.
Future Direction
Reintegration, qualifications,
training or another positive destination.
From Referral to Progress
A clear pathway around the individual learner
Provision is planned around referral information, learner voice, safeguarding, intended outcomes and the practical conditions needed for safe and effective delivery.
01
Understand
Gather information and identify strengths and barriers.
02
Plan
Agree outcomes, suitability, risks and delivery.
03
Support
Deliver personalised education and intervention.
04
Review
Monitor engagement, attendance, wellbeing and learning.
05
Progress
Prepare for the learner's agreed next step.
Flexible Provision
Support shaped around need and intended outcomes
1:1 Tuition
Personalised academic support at an appropriate pace and level.
Home & Outreach Tuition
Education where a learner cannot currently access a traditional setting.
Online Learning
Live personalised education delivered online where suitable.
Mentoring
Relationship-led support for confidence, motivation and positive routines.
Functional Skills
English and Maths pathways supporting progression and future opportunities.
GCSE Tuition
Personalised GCSE support aligned with the learner's academic goals.
Reintegration Support
Gradual support towards increased participation or return to education.
Reconnect 12™
A structured 12-week re-engagement and reintegration pathway.
For Schools, Local Authorities & Families
Clear communication, safe delivery and measurable support
Reconnect Learning aims to provide a transparent, accountable service from initial referral through to review, progression and transition.
Suitability & Risk
Needs, safeguarding information,
risks and delivery arrangements considered.
Personalised Planning
Support linked to agreed outcomes
and the learner's starting point.
Safeguarding-Led
Safer recruitment, professional boundaries
and escalation procedures underpin delivery.
Regular Communication
Agreed updates on attendance,
engagement, progress and concerns.
Progress Review
Provision reviewed against intended
outcomes and adjusted where appropriate.
Positive Destination
Support works towards a planned
educational or progression outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reconnect Learning suitable for this learner?
Does a learner need an EHCP or formal diagnosis?
No. Support can be discussed whether needs are diagnosed, emerging or identified through referral information.
Can you support a learner who is not attending school?
We can discuss personalised education, re-engagement and reintegration support where a learner cannot currently access their usual setting.
Do you support learners at risk of exclusion?
Yes. Provision may focus on engagement, relationships, regulation, academic access and preventing further placement breakdown.
Can support be delivered at home or online?
Delivery can be discussed according to learner need, suitability, safeguarding considerations and the agreed referral arrangements.
Can parents and carers contact Reconnect Learning?
Yes. Parents and carers can make an initial enquiry, although commissioning and funding arrangements may need to be agreed separately.
How is progress measured?
Progress may include attendance, engagement, confidence, wellbeing, participation, academic development and readiness for the learner's next step.