For Parents & Commissioners
Frequently Asked Questions
Our helpful FAQs could help you find a quick solution.
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Getting Started
How do I request SEND support from ASEND?
You can get in touch by completing our online enquiry form, sending us an email, or calling our team directly. Once we receive your enquiry, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your needs and how we can help.
What happens after I get in touch?
Our process is straightforward and designed to move quickly:
- You submit an enquiry via our form, email, or phone
- We review your information and collect any missing details
- We assess whether we can support the young person’s needs
- If we can help, we send you a referral form to complete
- We begin matching a specialist tutor to the young person
- Provision starts, with ongoing review and support from a dedicated SEND Manager
How quickly can support begin?
Once funding has been confirmed, most services can begin within 2–4 weeks, depending on tutor availability and location.
Can parents make a referral directly?
Currently, we accept referrals from schools and local authorities. If you believe our services would benefit your child, we recommend contacting your school’s SENCO or your Local Authority caseworker and asking them to get in touch with us directly.
About Our Tuition
Is tuition the right fit for my child?
Our goal is to create a learning environment where your child thrives. We start with a conversation about their views, interests, and any specific challenges. We see this as a genuine partnership. If at any point tuition isn’t working, we won’t simply continue—we’ll work closely with you to assess the situation and ensure your child’s needs always come first.
What should we expect during the first session?
The first session is all about building a positive connection. Before the visit, the tutor will have reviewed the student’s EHCP and relevant documents and spoken with the family to understand their specific needs.
During the session, the focus is on getting to know the young person—their interests, learning style, and what makes them feel comfortable. We create a low-pressure environment so they can feel at ease before any formal curriculum work begins.
What happens if my child is unable or unwilling to engage?
We understand that many students come to us after difficult educational experiences.
Our tutors are experienced in interest-led teaching, using the young person’s passions—whether it’s gaming, art, or animals—to build a bridge to learning. We don’t expect a perfect first session.
If engagement remains a challenge, we maintain an open, ongoing dialogue with the family and the local authority to adapt our approach or explore alternative ways to reach the student.
Where do tuition sessions take place?
Most sessions take place in the comfort and safety of the student’s home. However, learning can happen anywhere.
With the agreement of parents or carers, sessions can also be held at suitable community venues such as local libraries, quiet community hubs, or outdoor learning spaces. We work with you to find the environment where your child feels most at ease.
Is support provided online or face-to-face?
This depends on the requirements of the client or family. We can provide either online or face-to-face support.
The majority of our provision is delivered face-to-face, but online sessions are also available where appropriate.
Who provides specialist learning resources?
Our tutors provide all standard instructional materials and a range of engagement resources (games, manipulatives, etc.) as part of our service.
If a young person’s EHCP or learning plan requires specific IT hardware, specialist software, or SEND equipment, we will submit a request to the commissioning body for these items to be provided.
What approach do ASEND managers advocate for PDA and anxiety?
ASEND follows best practice for PDA and anxiety, which we believe is a low arousal, therapeutic and confidence-building approach that celebrates the individual learner and builds on their skills, loves and interests. All the support we provide is rooted in the latest research and best practices.
What types of special educational needs and disabilities can ASEND managers support?
The truth is, there’s almost no need that is beyond our support—the SEND team is a highly experienced group of professionals skilled in working with a wide range of needs.
We support learners with Autism, ADHD, MLD, SLD, PMLD, Complex Needs, PDA, ODD, School Refusal, Anxiety and Attachment Disorders, SLCN, SpLD (including Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Dyspraxia), Multi-Sensory Impairments, Physical Disabilities and many medical needs.
If you don’t see a specific need listed—just ask! We’re here to help.
Can ASEND managers support important transitions, such as preparing children to return to school after a difficult time?
Much of our work centres on supporting transitions, helping children and young people move smoothly from one educational setting to another. We see ourselves as a strong bridge during this critical time. Recognising that transitions can cause significant anxiety for many learners, we take a holistic approach—considering pupil voice, family input, and our own observations to create a well-informed, tailored plan. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We acknowledge past experiences and any challenges the learner has faced, working to create a more positive, supportive transition that builds confidence and fosters successful reintegration.
Our tutors may begin working with a young person at home, building a strong relationship before supporting them through transition visits. In some cases, tuition gradually shifts from home to school, with the tutor slowly reducing their presence in the classroom. In others, the tutor follows the school’s timetable and curriculum to ensure continuity on the days the learner attends school. The nature of this support is entirely tailored to the learner’s needs and the client’s requests—our approach is always flexible!
EHCPs & Provision
Do you support EHCP provision?
Yes. Our services are specifically designed to meet EHCP outcomes and statutory requirements. We work closely with commissioning bodies to ensure all educational and therapeutic targets are addressed.
Can ASEND be named in Section I of the EHCP?
As a specialist tuition provider rather than a registered school, we cannot be named in Section I of an EHCP. However, we deliver the specific services we are commissioned for. If you require us to cover certain therapies or subjects, please let us know so we can confirm our capacity to fulfil those parts of the plan.
Do you cover the full scope of EHCP requirements?
While we specialise in home-based education, we are equipped to deliver a comprehensive range of provisions specified in an EHCP.
This includes access to qualified Speech and Language Therapists (SALT) and Occupational Therapists (OT), as well as other required therapies. We work closely with commissioning bodies to ensure all statutory educational and therapeutic targets are met.
Can you support pupils who are out of school?
Yes. We provide a range of support for pupils who are not in a school setting, including:
- EOTAS (Education Other Than at School) packages
- Home tuition programmes
- Transition support
- Reintegration programmes
How long does it take to place a tutor?
Finding the right match is our priority, so placement typically takes between 2 weeks and 2 months.
We are highly selective about which tutors we pair with our students—we don’t just provide a tutor, we provide the right tutor with the specific skills and personality to help your child thrive.
Compliance, Safeguarding & Quality
How do you ensure the safety of my child?
Child safety is central to everything we do. We take a multi-layered approach to child safety, including comprehensive risk assessments prior to any placement, ongoing progress monitoring and welfare check-ins, a clear Safeguarding Policy shared with all staff, and our Red Button tool on the tutor portal for reporting concerns immediately.
All staff undergo full vetting and enhanced DBS checks.
Are your staff DBS checked?
Yes. All ASEND staff undergo a full vetting process, including enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding training, and thorough reference checks, before being placed with any young person.
What safeguarding measures do you follow?
We follow strict safeguarding and child protection policies in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) guidance. Our safeguarding framework includes enhanced DBS checks, annual safeguarding training, risk assessments, and continuous monitoring.
Read more about safeguarding on our Policies Page.
What should I do if I have a safeguarding concern?
If you have a safeguarding concern, please call us immediately on 020 3103 7494. If you are an ASEND tutor, you can also contact us via the Red Button on your tutor portal.
How do you ensure quality of provision?
Quality is maintained through dedicated SEND Manager oversight, regular reviews with families and commissioners, continuous progress monitoring, and close collaboration with all stakeholders involved in the young person’s education.
Contact Us
Whether you have a question or are interested in a consultation, we’d love to hear from you!
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you asap.
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