Pastoral & wellbeing

Supporting and nurturing

At InspirED-PD, we believe that every young person deserves a supportive and nurturing environment where they can thrive emotionally, and socially. Our pastoral care and wellbeing team plays a vital role in ensuring that students in our setting feel valued, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential as we strive to achieve a sense of psychological safety for all in our care.

Personalised approach

We recognise that many of our students have faced challenges in education, and we are committed to offering a personalised approach that prioritises their mental health, emotional resilience, and overall well-being. From one-to-one mentoring and therapeutic interventions to behaviour support and safeguarding, our dedicated team provides the guidance and care each student needs to succeed.

Take meaningful steps

Through a holistic and trauma-informed approach, we create a safe space where students can rebuild confidence, develop positive relationships, and take meaningful steps toward their future goals.

Supporting every learner: the key worker

At InspirED-PD, we understand that every young person has unique needs, challenges, and aspirations. Our Key Worker System ensures that each student receives personalised support, guidance, and advocacy throughout their journey with us.

A dedicated key worker acts as a consistent and trusted point of contact, building strong relationships with students, families, and staff. They provide tailored interventions, emotional support, and work closely with external agencies to help remove barriers to learning.

Through this individualised approach, we create a safe, nurturing environment where every learner can develop confidence, resilience, and the skills needed to achieve their full potential.

Therapeutic support

lego therapy

LEGO® Therapy is a structured, play-based intervention that supports the development of social communication skills in children with SEND and SEMH. During sessions, children work in small groups and take on roles such as Builder, Supplier, and Engineer, encouraging teamwork, turn-taking, and problem-solving. Led by a trained adult, the sessions create a fun and motivating environment where children can practise language and interaction in a safe, supported setting. This approach helps build confidence, improve social skills, and foster friendships.

Draw & talk

Drawing and Talking is a gentle, therapeutic approach that allows children to process difficult emotions and experiences through the act of drawing. In weekly sessions with a trained adult, children are encouraged to create images and talk about them at their own pace, without direct questioning or analysis. This non-intrusive method helps them access and make sense of unconscious worries, supporting emotional healing and regulation. It is especially beneficial for those who find verbal communication challenging.

zones of regulation

The Zones of Regulation is a visual and cognitive framework designed to help children understand and manage their emotions and behaviours. Using four colour-coded zones—Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red—children learn to recognise how they are feeling and identify strategies to help them regulate themselves. This approach is embedded across the setting through visuals, language, and regular discussion. It empowers pupils to take ownership of their emotional state, improves self-awareness, and enhances their capacity to engage positively with learning and others.

Lexi

Woof! My name is Lexi and I am the apprentice of the team. I am nearly 6 months old and looking forward to working for InspirED and more importantly the young people who come and join us. I am most looking forward to InspirED: Outdoors where I can participate in the adventures but also being available to all the young people when they might need a quiet space or to relax. I am currently in training to be a certified therapy dog but I am still quite excitable. I have mastered sit, come, leave and down. I am working towards stay, roll over, paw and my show stopper, stand!

Woof x

ELSA

ELSA is a targeted intervention delivered by specially trained staff to help children recognise, understand, and manage their emotions. Sessions are tailored to the individual and may cover topics such as self-esteem, anxiety, friendships, or grief. ELSA provides a calm, nurturing space where pupils can talk, reflect, and build emotional resilience. The aim is to remove barriers to learning by supporting emotional development, which in turn promotes wellbeing and improves behaviour and engagement in school.

mindfulness

Mindfulness helps students develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and focus by encouraging them to be present in the moment. Teaching and practicing mindfulness can reduce anxiety, improve behaviour, and create a calmer, more positive learning environment. It empowers young people with tools to manage stress, build resilience, and enhance their overall wellbeing—both in and out of the classroom.