Question 1

Can I refer my child directly, or does it have to come from the school or council?

Accepted Answer

Most placements are funded by a Local Authority or school, but you can absolutely contact us directly first. We will help you understand your options and, where useful, support a conversation with the relevant SEND or inclusion team.

Question 2

What happens on the first call?

Accepted Answer

A short, no-pressure conversation. We listen first. We will not ask your child to do anything in week one — we focus on understanding what has and has not worked, and what feels manageable from here.

Question 3

How long until sessions start?

Accepted Answer

Where funding is in place, typically 3–5 working days. If we are still working out funding routes, we will tell you honestly what the timeline looks like.

Question 4

Where do sessions happen?

Accepted Answer

In your home, in a quiet community space (a library, a community room), or online. We start wherever feels safest for your child and adjust as confidence grows.

Question 5

How long is a typical session?

Accepted Answer

Sessions usually run 45–90 minutes, but we do not push past your child's window of tolerance. Short and consistent beats long and overwhelming, especially at the start.

Question 6

What subjects can you cover?

Accepted Answer

Core curriculum (English, maths, science) plus a wide range of GCSE options. We also offer mentoring, life skills and post-16 careers support — sometimes those matter more than the subjects.

Question 7

Will it always be the same tutor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The relationship is the work. We match on personality and approach, not just availability, and we expect tutors to stay with a young person for the duration.

Question 8

My child has not been able to go to school for months. Is that too far gone?

Accepted Answer

No. A lot of the young people we work with have been out of school for a long time. We do not start with a timetable — we start with a relationship and small, predictable steps.

Question 9

What if my child refuses sessions?

Accepted Answer

It happens, and it is information rather than failure. We adjust pace, location, time of day or tutor match. We will not shame your child for it, and we will not pretend everything is fine to keep an invoice running.

Question 10

Will the goal always be to get them back to school?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. For some young people, a planned graduated return is right. For others, an EOTAS package or an alternative post-16 route is the better outcome. We are honest about which is which.

Question 11

How do you keep my child safe during sessions?

Accepted Answer

Every tutor is enhanced-DBS checked and trained in safer working practice. Sessions in the home happen with a parent or carer present in the property. Online sessions are delivered on a monitored platform with clear digital boundaries.

Question 12

Who can I speak to if something is not right?

Accepted Answer

Your named placement lead is your first point of contact, and you will have their direct mobile number. If you ever need to escalate, our Operations Director and Designated Safeguarding Lead are reachable and will not hide behind a process.

Question 13

How will you keep me informed?

Accepted Answer

Weekly notes after sessions, a clear half-termly summary, and a real conversation any time something significant changes. You are not chasing us — we keep you in the loop by default.

Honest answers for parents and carers

Still unsure?