Talk to us about your setting
If you’d like to discuss whether Alternative Provision is the right approach for your young people, we’re happy to talk through your needs and recommend an appropriate next step.
Outdoor Alternative Provision & SEMH Support North East
Nurturing Personal Growth Through Structured Outdoor Education
Alternative provision
delivered differently
Traditional classroom environments do not work for every young person. For students experiencing Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties, school avoidance, or behavioural challenges, conventional settings can exacerbate stress. Our Alternative Provision (AP) approach uses therapeutic, outdoor-based experiential learning to help vulnerable students self-regulate, build emotional resilience, and rebuild authentic peer trust.
Operating across Newcastle, South Tyneside, Northumberland, Durham, and North Tyneside, our structured programs offer local authorities and schools a robust, preventative early intervention pathway. We swap academic pressure for managed outdoor tasks like bushcraft, flat-water paddling, and low-level climbing. Led by Trauma-Informed facilitators, our programs focus on establishing a dependable routine that helps young people transition safely back into standard education, training, or employment.
Key Information
Referral pathways and admissions
We accept formal referrals directly from local authorities, primary and secondary schools, and specialised virtual school heads. Our team works closely with your case workers, inclusion coordinators and school SENDCo’s to assess each profile, triggers, and targets before their first session begins.
How the programme works
Sessions are delivered in small cohorts with a high instructor-to-student ratio to guarantee consistency. Every activity is adapted dynamically to ensure students take part at a pace that respects their comfort levels and individual learning targets.
Outcomes and benefits
Our primary milestones target emotional regulation, reduced school avoidance, improved communication, and enhanced self-worth. By breaking tasks down into achievable steps, young people develop genuine internal motivation and a sense of personal capability.
Safety, staffing and support
Safety is our baseline. Our staff maintain strict instructor-to-pupil ratios to ensure high-visibility monitoring and deep emotional support. Dynamic risk assessments are handled for every outdoor terrain, and our robust safeguarding policies are updated continually in alignment with local authority requirements.
Practical information
Delivered across the North East, with transport options available where required. We’ll work with you to plan sessions that fit your timetable and requirements. All equipment is provided, and sessions run in a variety of outdoor locations.
Positive feedback
Trusted by educators, organisations and outdoor professionals across the North East.