

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.
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Building the Foundations for Success
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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
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Our mentoring programmes focus on these key areas, helping young people build the emotional and social foundations needed for long-term success.
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Tailored Mentoring for Every Stage
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Our mentoring services in Hampshire, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) and Wiltshire, 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
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Supporting Reintegration and Future Pathways
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Where appropriate, our mentoring also supports reintegration into education, whether that be mainstream school, a specialist setting, or another suitable pathway.
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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.
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Real-Life, Practical Learning
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Embedding Careers Education Across the Curriculum
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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
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Preparing for Life Beyond Education
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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
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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.
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A Structured Approach to Emotional and Social Development
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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
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By embedding the CASEL framework into our practice, we ensure a consistent and evidence-based approach to supporting each young person’s development.
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Engaging, Purposeful, and Individualised Sessions
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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.
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A Structured Reintegration Programme
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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
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Specialist Support for EBSA
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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
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Ongoing Review and Transition Planning
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Our regular review process ensures that we continually assess a young person’s progress and readiness to take the next step.
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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.
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The most direct way to access our alternative education services in Hampshire, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) and Wiltshire, is by completing our online referral form.
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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.
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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
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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.
