SENse Support Services

17/07/2026

As another school year comes to an end, we just wanted to take a moment to say... 💙

To every child and young person, every parent, carer, school, commissioner and professional we've had the privilege of working alongside this year, thank you.

This year will have looked different for every family.

For some, it's been a year of huge milestones.
For others, it's been a year of simply getting through one day at a time.

Whether your child has taken their first steps back into education, secured the support they deserve, found a place where they feel safe, or simply made it through a day that once felt impossible... every achievement matters. Every step forward is worth celebrating.

We're incredibly proud of every family who has trusted us to walk alongside them. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey.

As the summer holidays begin, we hope you find moments to slow down, breathe, recharge and enjoy time together in whatever way works best for your family. There is no "right" way to spend the holidays - only what feels safe, joyful and manageable for you.

To our amazing team... thank you for showing up every single day with empathy, compassion and unwavering belief in the children and families we support. You make SENse Support what it is.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy and restorative summer. We can't wait to see what the new academic year brings.

💙 From all of us at SENse Support

29/06/2026

💜 We came across this wonderful community initiative and simply had to share it. 💜

We love seeing events that recognise there isn't just one way to celebrate important milestones.

Prom 2026 – Where Everyone Is Included has been created to offer an alternative prom experience for young people who may not feel that a traditional prom is the right fit for them, creating an opportunity to celebrate in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

At SENse Support, we know that every young person deserves opportunities to feel safe, accepted and celebrated exactly as they are. Inclusive events like this can make such a difference by creating spaces where young people can enjoy the experience in a way that works for them.

✨ Come as you are. Be yourself. Be celebrated. ✨

If you know a young person who might enjoy this event, or a local business that may be able to support it, we'd love to help spread the word.

📍 Please note: SENse Support is not affiliated with or organising this event. We simply wanted to share it because we think it's a fantastic community initiative that reflects values we care deeply about.

💜 Here's to more opportunities where every young person can feel a genuine sense of belonging.

26/06/2026

🏆 Win of the Week 🏆

"We've been told our child doesn't need an EHCP assessment... what do we do now?"

Sadly, this is something our advocacy team hears all too often.

This family came to us after the Local Authority refused to carry out an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment. They knew their child was struggling, but after receiving the decision, they were left feeling overwhelmed, unheard and unsure where to turn next.

We listened.

Together, we carefully reviewed the evidence, identified where further information was needed, and built a clear, robust case that truly reflected this child's strengths, differences and support needs. We then supported the family through mediation, ensuring their voice and, most importantly, their child's voice, remained at the heart of every discussion.

✨ This week, we're delighted to share that the mediation was successful, and the Local Authority has agreed to carry out an EHCP assessment ✨

Whilst this is a fantastic outcome, it's also a reminder of something we feel passionately about.

At SENse Support, we don't simply focus on getting an assessment agreed.

The legal threshold for agreeing to assess is lower than the threshold for issuing an EHCP. That's why, from the very beginning, we work with families to build the strongest possible evidence. Our aim is to ensure that if an assessment is agreed, there is already a robust foundation demonstrating the child's needs, the provision they require, and why an EHCP may ultimately be necessary.

We believe every child deserves to have their needs understood, not just recognised.

And every parent deserves to feel listened to, supported and empowered throughout the process.

💙 If you've received a refusal to assess...
💙 If you're being told your child is "coping" but you know how much they're struggling behind the scenes...
💙 Or if you're feeling lost in the SEND system...

Please don't feel you have to navigate it alone.

Our experienced advocacy team is here to walk alongside you, helping you understand your options, build the right evidence and ensure your child's voice is heard every step of the way.

We offer a free 15-minute consultation, where we'll listen to your situation, answer your questions and help you understand the next steps.

Sometimes, one conversation can change the direction of your child's educational journey.

📧 Get in touch today - we're here when you're ready.

Specialist SEN Services in education, health and social care from experienced professionals.

15/06/2026

🧩 Every Child's Journey Looks Different 🧩

Some children return to education in a matter of weeks.

For others, the first success is opening the front door.

When this young person was referred to our Outreach Service, they were in complete burnout and overwhelm. Leaving the house felt impossible, and accessing education felt impossible.

We knew that before learning could happen, they needed to feel safe.

So that's where we started.

Through patience, consistency and a nurturing approach, our team worked at the child's pace, building trust and confidence one step at a time. There were no unrealistic expectations, no pressure, and no rush.

Just a bespoke approach centred around their individual needs.

Over time, that trust grew. They began to engage, explore new opportunities and take those all-important first steps back towards education.

Today, we're celebrating a significant milestone in their journey.

🎉 They are now successfully transitioning into The Hub, our specialist alternative provision. 🎉

Stories like this remind us that successful reintegration isn't about how quickly a child returns to education. It's about creating the right conditions for them to succeed when they do.

Because when children feel safe, understood and supported, they can begin to thrive.

Our Outreach Service supports children and young people who are struggling to access education due to SEND, anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance, trauma and other complex needs. Working alongside families, schools and local authorities, we create bespoke pathways back into learning that are built around the child.

If you know a child who is struggling to engage with education, we'd love to talk about how we can help. Get in touch to find out more about our Outreach Service and The Hub.

11/06/2026

🌟 We're Hiring! Specialist Learning Support Assistant (Level 3) – Hub & Outreach 🌟

Do you believe that every child deserves an education where they feel safe, understood and empowered?

At SENse Support, we're looking for a passionate, skilled and dedicated Specialist Learning Support Assistant to join our growing team.

This is a unique opportunity to support neurodivergent and vulnerable children and young people both within our specialist Alternative Provision Hub and through our Outreach Service. You'll work with learners who may have experienced school trauma, anxiety, emotionally based school avoidance, exclusion, autism, ADHD and other complex SEND needs.

💙 What makes this role special?
✔️ Neuro-affirming, trauma-informed and relational practice
✔️ Meaningful 1:1 support that changes lives
✔️ Work across both Hub and community outreach settings
✔️ Access to Educational Psychologists, Occupational Therapists and specialist teachers
✔️ Regular supervision, reflective practice and specialist CPD
✔️ A supportive, values-driven team culture

📍 Newton Aycliffe and surrounding areas
🕒 15–25 hours per week (negotiable)
📅 Term Time Only
💷 £13.50–£15.00 per hour (depending on qualifications and experience)

We're particularly keen to hear from candidates with experience supporting neurodivergent young people in specialist schools, alternative provisions, outreach services or therapeutic settings.

If you're committed to helping young people rebuild confidence, re-engage with learning and achieve their potential, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch today if you'd like to find out more!

SENse Support Services

08/06/2026

🏆 Win of the Week 🏆

Sometimes, parents know something isn't right long before anyone else does.

This week's success story comes from a family who came to us feeling frustrated, unheard, and worried about their child. Despite concerns about low attendance, increasing difficulties at home, and behaviours that suggested their child was struggling, they were repeatedly told that everything was "fine in school."

Like many parents, they felt their concerns weren't being taken seriously.

Our advocacy team worked alongside the family to ensure both the parent's voice and, most importantly, the child's voice were heard. We supported them to:

✅ Gather the right evidence
✅ Apply for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
✅ Liaise with the school and Local Authority
✅ Present a clear picture of the child's needs across all environments, not just in the classroom

This week, we received the fantastic news that the child has been awarded an EHCP.

But the success doesn't stop there.

As a result of the evidence gathered and the child's needs being properly recognised, the Local Authority is now consulting with specialist provisions to identify the most appropriate educational placement for them.

This is a huge step forward. Not only have this child's needs been formally acknowledged, but plans are now being put in place to ensure they receive the specialist support and environment they need to thrive.

Every child deserves to be understood. Every parent deserves to be listened to.

Too often, we hear families being told that because a child is coping in school, there isn't a problem. But children's needs don't disappear when the school day ends. Attendance difficulties, emotional distress, exhaustion, and challenges at home all form part of the bigger picture.

If you're being told your child is "fine" but your instincts tell you otherwise, trust yourself. Support is available, and you don't have to navigate the process alone.

📞 Free 15-minute consultation available
📧 Get in touch to discuss how our advocacy team can help

01/06/2026

🌟 DID YOU KNOW? 🌟

SENse Support is an approved provider of Alternative Provision for Durham, Darlington and Stockton Local Authorities.

What does this mean for families and schools?

✅ We have been through extensive quality assurance and vetting processes to be accepted onto each Local Authority's approved provider framework

✅ Families and schools can have confidence that our provision meets the standards expected by Local Authorities

✅ We can provide both The Hub Alternative Provision in Newton Aycliffe and our Outreach Provision across the community

✅ Placements can be commissioned directly by schools or Local Authorities, making access to support straightforward and secure

Whether a young person needs a nurturing alternative learning environment, support to re-engage with education, or bespoke outreach provision tailored to their individual needs, we're here to help.

If you're a parent, school or professional supporting a child who is struggling in their current educational placement, we'd be happy to discuss the options available.

22/05/2026

Every young person deserves an education that works for them.

Every parent deserves to feel heard.

At SENse Support, we provide both 🧩

20/05/2026

You don’t have to reach crisis point before asking for help.

Whether things feel uncertain or overwhelming — we’re here 🤝

📧 Email us to start the conversation

18/05/2026

Before half term:

Are the right plans in place for your KS4 students?

If not — there is still time to act 🧩