

Mentoring Services
At Best Foot Forward, we recognise that for young people who are struggling to attend mainstream education, mentoring can be a powerful intervention that complements education-based support.
Building the Foundations for Success
We understand that a young person cannot fully engage in learning or reach their potential until they are able to:
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Regulate their emotions
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Establish positive routines and structure
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Develop a sense of identity and self-worth
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Discover their motivation and goals
Our mentoring programmes focus on these key areas, helping young people build the emotional and social foundations needed for long-term success.
Tailored Mentoring for Every Stage
Our mentoring services in Hampshire and BCP are designed to meet each young person where they are. We provide individualised, relationship-based support that encourages:
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Personal growth and resilience
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Improved emotional wellbeing
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Increased confidence and independence
Supporting Reintegration and Future Pathways
Where appropriate, our mentoring also supports reintegration into education, whether that be mainstream school, a specialist setting, or another suitable pathway.
By combining mentoring with education, we help young people feel more secure, engaged, and ready to take the next steps in their journey.
SWEET

SWEET qualifications are Pearson-accredited, coursework-based qualifications available at Level 1 and Level 2, providing a flexible alternative to traditional exam-based learning.
Real-Life, Practical Learning
This course enables students to explore real-life situations and practical scenarios, helping them to develop skills that are relevant both in education and beyond. The coursework-based format allows learners to:
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Progress at their own pace
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Build confidence through continuous assessment
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Engage in meaningful, applied learning
GCSE-Equivalent Achievement and Progression
Students can achieve GCSE-equivalent grades depending on the number of units they complete.
At Best Foot Forward, we strongly encourage all young people to work towards at least one recognised GCSE-equivalent qualification to strengthen their CV and future opportunities.
These qualifications support progression into:
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Further education
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Apprenticeships and training
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Employment pathways
By offering flexible, accredited programmes like SWEET, we ensure that every learner has the opportunity to succeed in a way that suits their individual needs and learning style.
Forward Thinking

At Best Foot Forward, we recognise that a lack of direction and motivation can be a significant barrier to a young person’s engagement in education and academic achievement.
Building Aspirations and Future Pathways
Our careers programme, Forward Thinking, is designed to support students across all age groups, from Key Stage 3 (KS3) to Key Stage 5 (KS5). The programme helps young people to:
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Explore career pathways and future opportunities
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Develop aspirations and personal goals
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Understand the link between education and employment
Embedding Careers Education Across the Curriculum
We strongly believe that careers education should be embedded throughout the curriculum, not treated as a standalone subject. By integrating employability into everyday learning, we help students to:
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See the relevance of their skills and knowledge
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Understand how learning applies to real-world employment settings
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Develop essential work-ready skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving
Preparing for Life Beyond Education
Through our Forward Thinking programme, we aim to equip young people with the confidence, motivation, and practical skills they need to progress into:
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Further education and training
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Apprenticeships
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Employment opportunities
By giving young people a clearer sense of purpose and direction, we support them to re-engage with learning and take positive steps toward their future.
Social and Emotional Literacy & Personal Development

At Best Foot Forward, we are strong advocates of the CASEL Framework, using it to structure our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Personal Development programmes.
A Structured Approach to Emotional and Social Development
We recognise that SEL and personal development are essential components of education and lifelong success. Our sessions are designed to support young people in developing key skills, including:
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Self-awareness and emotional regulation
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Social skills and relationship building
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Responsible decision-making
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Resilience and self-management
By embedding the CASEL framework into our practice, we ensure a consistent and evidence-based approach to supporting each young person’s development.
Engaging, Purposeful, and Individualised Sessions
We pride ourselves on delivering sessions that are both engaging and purposeful, carefully tailored to meet the individual needs of each young person.
Our approach ensures that:
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Sessions are relevant to the student’s current challenges and goals
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Learning is interactive and meaningful
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Progress is made in key areas of emotional wellbeing and personal growth
Reintegration Programme

At Best Foot Forward, we believe that alternative provision should, wherever possible, be a short-term intervention. Our primary objective is to prepare each young person for a successful reintegration into the most appropriate educational setting, where they can thrive and reach their full potential.
A Structured Reintegration Programme
Our reintegration programme in Hampshire and BCP is designed to identify and address the specific barriers that may prevent a young person from attending school or further education.
We work closely with the young person and their support network to:
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Understand the underlying causes of disengagement
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Develop tailored strategies to overcome barriers
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Gradually build confidence and readiness for transition
Specialist Support for EBSA
We have particular expertise in supporting young people experiencing EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance). Our approach focuses on:
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Reducing anxiety around education
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Building emotional resilience and coping strategies
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Creating a gradual, supportive return to education
Ongoing Review and Transition Planning
Our regular review process ensures that we continually assess a young person’s progress and readiness to take the next step.
When the time is right, we support a carefully planned transition, helping each young person move forward into education, training, or another suitable pathway with confidence.
The most direct way to access our alternative education services in Hampshire is by completing our online referral form.
Providing as much detail as possible allows our team to develop a bespoke, individualised support plan tailored to your young person’s specific needs. This ensures we can deliver a focused programme that supports meaningful engagement, progress, and positive outcomes.
What to Include in Your Referral
To help us create the most effective provision, please include any relevant documentation, such as:
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EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan)
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Risk Assessments
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Any additional reports or supporting information
The more comprehensive the information provided, the better we can design a targeted tutoring and mentoring package that meets the needs of the young person.
