About Connex

Connex Alternative Provision (AP) is a specialist provision offering a supportive and nurturing environment for learners from Reception to Year 11, with complex Social, Emotional and/or Mental Health (SEMH)/medical needs which have prevented them from successfully engaging in or attending school.

SEMH is often used in education as a catchall and a deficit model. It refers to broad array of needs based on learner's difficulty to regulate their emotions or behaviour. Connex AP will provide a personalised approach to provision and looks at the origin and function of the behaviour when constructing the appropriate educational and therapeutic model. Early assessment and identification of need is key. Our AP will provide the flexibility of provision to support the diverse and often complex need of our SEMH population. As a result, the Connex AP will be flexible in its approach and respond to a range of neurodiverse need including:

Connex AP will offer timely, support of the highest quality to learners People whose SEMH needs present as a barrier to accessing and engaging with mainstream education and need a specialist educational and therapeutic environment. Our delivery model will ensure that learners are prepared for adulthood so they can live healthy, independently, and successfully transition into employment. 

Our vision will be underpinned by the application of a consistent model and approach. Building trust with learners is a core component of our model. Without trust, the learners won’t feel safe, which will in turn remove their opportunities to engage positively and build emotional resilience. Our core model of support will ensure learners will build trust, feel safe and subsequently learn.  

Learners with an SEMH profile will often struggle to verbalise their emotions and history. As a result, their presentation may be challenging. Although the AP cannot change their experience, it can change the way they respond to it. Therefore, a key set of values that support the education and therapeutic experience will provide the vehicle to deliver positive outcomes for learners. 

How are learners prepared for Adulthood?

We appreciate that every developmental journey to adulthood is unique. Our curriculum has a specific Personal Development focus which helps our learners develop the knowledge and skills to inform post-education planning regards employment, independent living, community inclusion and health. The Annual Review of EHCPs encompasses a personal centred 'My Life, My Way' PATHs approach to planning provision and the learners next steps.