Frequently Asked Questions

No. Meadow Pathways is an alternative provider, not a registered school. Young people who come to us either stay on roll at their own school (with the school buying in our support) or receive their education through an EOTAS (Education Otherwise Than At School) package agreed by the local authority as part of their EHCP.

We are proud to be listed on Cornwall Council’s Alternative Providers list.

As we are not a school, we are not inspected by Ofsted in the way a school is. Instead, our work is commissioned and quality-assured by Cornwall Council and by the schools that place young people with us. We share clear progress reports with families, schools and commissioners, including for EHCP reviews.

We support children and young people across Cornwall who have SEND or social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, including those experiencing anxiety, educational trauma, bereavement or emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA). We work with:

• Primary and secondary schools
• Families
• Multi-academy trusts
• Cornwall Council’s EOTAS team and other professionals

At Meadow Pathways, every child is at the heart of everything we do. We believe wellbeing and learning go hand in hand, so we take the time to build trust, emotional safety and genuine relationships first, and learning grows from there, at a pace that feels right for each young person.

Our work is guided by four core values:

• Resilience & Independence – nurturing confidence, self-belief and the ability to grow through challenge
• Health & Wellbeing – prioritising emotional safety, regulation and holistic care
• Honesty & Integrity – building trust through transparency, consistency and ethical practice
• Friendship & Kindness – fostering connection, empathy and a sense of belonging

Our approach is trauma-informed and person-centred, and we often use nature, creativity and hands-on learning to help young people feel calm, capable and ready to rediscover their strengths.

Read more about our ethos and team on our About Us page.

Not usually. There is no “one size fits all” timetable. The number of sessions and hours each week is agreed with the family and the school or local authority, based on what the young person needs and can manage right now. For some, that starts with short sessions and builds up gradually as confidence grows.

Each package is personalised and linked to the curriculum and to the outcomes in the young person’s EHCP. It may include:

• Tailored learning in English, maths and other subjects, built around their interests
• Mentoring and advocacy so their voice is heard
• SEMH interventions, such as emotional regulation and resilience work
• Wellbeing and PSHE
• Life skills and independence, such as cooking and everyday tasks
• Creative, sensory and nature-based activities
• Support with moving on to a new school, college or training

We work across Cornwall, and sessions are planned around what suits each young person. They can take place:

• At home
• In community venues
• Outdoors, on beaches, in woodland and in nature
• Sensory rooms
• Online, where this has been agreed

We will always let families know in advance where each session will be.

Most of our support is delivered 1:1 or 2:1, so young people get the attention and emotional safety they need. Where it would help, and only when a young person feels ready, we may plan carefully supported opportunities to spend time with peers.

We keep in regular contact with families and schools, record progress after sessions, and share clear, measurable reports, including for EHCP annual reviews. If anything changes or worries us, we will tell you.

Transport is agreed as part of each young person’s package. Where staff drive young people, this is done in line with our Driving and Transport Policy, with the right insurance, checks and parental consent in place.

We ask families to send young people with a packed lunch, snacks and a drink. Some sessions include cooking as part of life-skills learning, and we always check allergies and dietary needs beforehand.

A lot of our learning happens outdoors, so comfortable clothes that can get muddy, sturdy footwear and a waterproof coat are ideal. We will let you know if anything extra is needed for a particular session.

Please let us know as early as you can by calling or messaging the team. We understand that some days are harder than others, and we will work with you to keep things moving gently. Our terms and conditions explain how cancellations are handled.

Yes. Our team includes qualified teachers, a qualified counsellor and play therapist, learning mentors and wellbeing practitioners, with backgrounds in specialist education, SEMH, outdoor education and pastoral care. Staff are chosen not only for their skills and experience but for the way they connect with young people, and all are trained in trauma-informed practice.

Yes. Everyone joins us through our safer recruitment process, which includes an enhanced DBS check, references and safeguarding training, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. You can read our Safer Recruitment Policy.

Keeping children safe is at the heart of everything we do. Our practice follows Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.

• Designated Safeguarding Lead: Michelle Pascoe
• Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Zoe Waitz

We complete risk assessments for activities and venues, follow our lone working and online safety policies, and share concerns with the right agencies quickly. More information is on our Safeguarding page and in our policies.

Please talk to us. Most worries can be sorted out quickly with a conversation. If you would like to raise a formal complaint, our complaints page explains how. If you are worried a child is at immediate risk, contact the police on 999 or Cornwall’s Multi-Agency Referral Unit straight away.

Because every package is tailored, costs depend on the number of hours, staffing ratio (1:1 or 2:1) and what the young person needs. Support is usually funded by the young person’s school or by the local authority through their EHCP. Please contact us for a quote.

Schools, families and professionals can complete our secure referral form or download a blank copy. It helps to have the young person’s details, consent to share information, and any supporting documents such as an EHCP or professional reports. If you would rather talk first, just give us a call.

Not always. Schools can buy in our support for pupils with or without an EHCP. A full EOTAS package, however, has to be agreed by the local authority as part of an EHCP. Our EOTAS page explains how this works.

We get in touch to arrange a meeting with the young person and their family, so we can understand their needs, interests and what matters to them. We then put together a personalised plan with the school or local authority and agree a gentle start, at a pace that feels safe.