Education & Training

At First Thought Care Services, we believe that every child and young person deserves an education tailored to their individual needs, strengths, and circumstances. Our Alternative to Education Provision is designed to support those aged 4 to 18+, providing flexible, person-centered learning opportunities outside of traditional school settings. 

 We provide up to 15 hours of structured educational support per week in a way that best suits the learner. This can take place:

✅ At our dedicated centre – A safe and nurturing environment tailored to support engagement and individual learning styles.
✅ In the family home – Bringing education to a familiar and comfortable setting, reducing barriers to learning.
✅ Within a school setting – Supporting children and young people who are struggling in mainstream education, ensuring they receive the guidance and help they need.

Our provision is not a replacement for school but serves as an essential intervention for those who require additional or alternative support to re-engage with learning.

 Our provision is designed for children and young people who:
✔️ Are struggling in mainstream education due to emotional, social, or behavioral challenges.
✔️ Have special educational needs (SEN) and require additional tailored support.
✔️ Are at risk of exclusion or have been excluded from school.
✔️ Experience anxiety or other mental health difficulties that impact school attendance.
✔️ Are in care or have experienced instability in their education.
✔️ Need short-term intervention before transitioning back into mainstream or specialist education. 

 We take a holistic, trauma-informed approach to learning, recognizing that education is about more than just academics. Our skilled team, including experienced teaching staff and a qualified Clinical Psychologist, work closely with each young person to develop personalised learning plans that focus on:

🎯 Core skills – Literacy, numeracy, and functional learning tailored to the individual’s level.
🎭 Social and emotional development – Building confidence, resilience, and communication skills.
🧠 Therapeutic support – Where needed, we incorporate trauma-informed practices to create a safe and supportive learning environment.
🎨 Creative and vocational opportunities – Hands-on, interest-led learning that helps develop real-world skills.

 At First Thought Care Services, we have developed our own bespoke curriculum, designed to be flexible, engaging, and fully adaptable to individual needs. We draw upon the EQUALS Curriculum, a highly regarded framework used to support learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

🔹 Why EQUALS?
The EQUALS Curriculum is specifically designed to provide meaningful and relevant learning experiences for those who may not thrive in traditional academic settings. It focuses on:
✔️ Personalized learning – Tailored to the strengths and needs of each learner.
✔️ Life skills development – Ensuring young people gain essential skills for independence and daily living.
✔️ A holistic approach – Integrating emotional, social, and practical learning alongside core subjects.

Our curriculum is not about simply following a rigid syllabus—it’s about adapting and engaging each learner through creative, practical, and hands-on approaches.