SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES NAVIGATING COMPLEX EMOTIONAL & BEHAVIOURAL NEEDS

35 Years
Experience

across sectors

Quality, Care & Integrity

come first

HCPC-registered

Psychologists

Anti Oppressive

Practice

Relationships & collaboration

at the centre

35 Years
Experience

Quality, Care & Integrity

HCPC-registered

Anti Oppressive

Relationships

Collaboration

When families seek support

Families often reach out when things begin to feel too much — when advice has been tried but hasn’t helped, and when their child’s needs feel extreme.  Parents may feel exhausted, worried, or misunderstood, sensing that something deeper is happening but unsure how to make sense of it or what will truly help.

We specialise in support for families and caregivers where the child is demonstrating behaviour that is challenging and has been diagnosed or undiagnosed experience of Autism, ADHD, PDA, Neurodivergence, Learning Disability and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

A stressed out teenage boy with his hood up and face in palms, a gentle reassuring hand on his back
A stressed out teenage boy with his hood up and face in palms, a gentle reassuring hand on his back

When families seek support

Families often reach out when things begin to feeljust too much — when advice has been tried but hasn’t helped, and when their child’s needs feel extreme.  Parents may feel exhausted, worried, or misunderstood, sensing that something deeper is happening but unsure how to make sense of it or what will truly help.

We specialise in support for families and caregivers where the child is demonstrating behaviour that is challenging and has been diagnosed or undiagnosed experience of Autism, ADHD, PDA, Neurodivergence, Learning Disability and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Parent-as-Therapist Approach

We offer neuro-affirming, relationship‑centred psychological support for complex emotional and behavioural needs. We use a Parent‑as‑Therapist approach, supporting parents and caregivers as the key agent of change in their child’s life. Together, we help families understand what is happening for their child, why it is happening, and what will make a difference. We co‑create practical strategies that fit real family life.

A Different Kind of Support

Our work is rooted in trauma-informed practice, systems thinking, positive behaviour support, attachment and strength-based frameworks.

Across all family and systems work, our aim is to create nurturing, relationships and environments where both children and caregivers feel understood and supported.

All our work is collaborative, with strategies co-designed and tailored to fit each family’s values, context and capacity.

What We Support With

We work with parents, caregivers, and the wider support network around a child to understand your concerns and challenges. Our focus is on identifying the functions behind behaviours and understanding what the child needs. Together, we explore ways to adapt interactions and the physical environment to reduce distress and improve quality of life for everyone.

Behaviours
of concern

Hitting, biting, spitting or kicking.  

Self
Injury

Head banging, hair pulling, pinching, or skin picking.

Toileting
Difficulties

Toileting delays, fears, or others struggles.

Sleep
Difficulties​

Struggles with falling asleep, staying asleep or waking early.

Picky & Restrictive Eating

Experiencing limited or selective eating.

Anxiety & Sensory Sensitivity

Feelings of overwhelm by anxiety or sensory input. 

How We Work With You

Initial Assessment Session

1-hour consultation

All work begins with a comprehensive one-hour assessment, exploring your child’s development, current challenges, strengths and your family’s context and goals.

Outcomes:

Functional Behavioural Assessment (FBA)

In-depth understanding

A structured, attachment-informed Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) designed to build a deeper understanding of your child’s behaviour and needs. We see all behaviour as a form of communication. We guide you through a clear, compassionate process of exploring the context and function of the challenges you are noticing in more depth.

What’s included:

Tailored Ongoing Support

Practical, ongoing support

Our ongoing sessions focus on supporting you to implement and integrate meaningful change in everyday family life. Together, we refine what’s working, troubleshoot challenges, and build confidence as new patterns take shape.

Focus areas:

Initial Assessment Session

1-hour consultation

All work begins with a comprehensive one-hour assessment, exploring your child’s development, current challenges, strengths and your family’s context and goals.

Outcomes:

Functional Behavioural Assessment (FBA)

In-depth understanding

A structured, attachment-informed Functional Behaviour Assessment (FBA) designed to build a deeper understanding of your child’s behaviour and needs. We see all behaviour as a form of communication. We guide you through a clear, compassionate process of exploring the context and function of the challenges you are noticing in more depth.

What’s included:

Tailored Ongoing Support

Practical, ongoing support

Our ongoing sessions focus on supporting you to implement and integrate meaningful change in everyday family life. Together, we refine what’s working, troubleshoot challenges, and build confidence as new patterns take shape.

Focus areas:

Adult studying

Circle of Security
Parenting

The Circle of Security Parenting programme supports you to better understand your child’s emotional needs and strengthen your relationship.

We are trained to deliver this programme over 8 sessions (group or individual), offering a reflective, supportive space to learn and apply these ideas in everyday family life.

Screenshot 2026-05-12 at 5.30.30 pm

Support Across Systems

We know that the environments that a child spends time within make a huge difference to their emotional wellbeing.

We work collaboratively with schools, residential services, and care settings to ensure children and young people with Autism, Neurodivergence, Learning Disabilities and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) receive consistent, joined-up support. Our aim is to help create environments where children’s needs are better understood and responded to.

We offer Bespoke Workshops in reflective practice, supervision, consultation, and practical guidance for staff teams.

Looking after the people who support others

Supporting a child or young person can be emotionally demanding, particularly when trauma is involved.

Alongside our work with families, we offer trauma-focused therapy for parents, carers, and family members in support roles — whether you are already working with us, or coming independently.

Free Upcoming Workshops

Thursday

23 Jul

9:30-10:30

Why does my child act this way? Learn about the function of behaviour and what your child needs
Understand the reasons behind your child’s behaviour and discover how recognising the function of their actions can guide calmer, more effective support that meets their underlying needs.

Thursday

23 Jul

9:30-10:30

Why does my child act this way? Learn about the function of behaviour and what your child needs
Understand the reasons behind your child’s behaviour and discover how recognising the function of their actions can guide calmer, more effective support that meets their underlying needs.

FAQ's

We use a parent‑as‑therapist model, which means our primary focus is supporting parents and caregivers so they can create meaningful, lasting change in the relationships and environments around their child. By strengthening your understanding, confidence, and strategies, we can support your child more effectively than through standalone child focused sessions.

We tailor this depending on what is most helpful. We may also meet with the child where appropriate, but the central focus is strengthening the caregiving system around them.

As part of this process, we will meet your child to ensure we fully understand their needs, strengths, and experiences. Where appropriate, we may also complete a specific set of sessions directly with your child as part of the wider intervention.

Our work is assessment‑led. We begin with a compassionate exploration of developmental history, strengths, triggers, communication needs, sensory factors, and what the behaviour may be expressing. Through shared formulation, we help families understand the “why” behind behaviours rather than focusing on labels or blame.

An FBA is a structured, attachment‑informed process that helps us identify patterns, needs, and the function of behaviours. It includes extended assessment sessions, home observation, family‑completed tools, and a comprehensive report with recommendations. It’s most suitable when behaviours are persistent, unsafe, or significantly impacting family life.

We offer neuroaffirming, attachment‑informed and trauma‑aware strategies. These focus on co‑regulation, routines, communication, sensory needs, emotional safety, and reducing distress rather than using reward charts or compliance‑based approaches.

We regularly support families where school has become overwhelming. We help make sense of the drivers behind distress, support communication with school, contribute to shared formulation meetings, and offer guidance on creating safe, supportive environments across home and education.

After the initial assessment session, families may complete 3–4 extended assessment sessions, a home observation, and a feedback/planning session. Ongoing sessions are offered as needed, guided by your goals, capacity, and progress.

Take the Next Step

Contact us for a free 15 minute conversation about your child’s needs and explore how we can help.

Behaviour as Communication: What Your Neurodivergent Child’s Big Feelings Are Trying to Tell You

Behaviour as Communication: What Your Neurodivergent Child’s Big Feelings Are Trying to Tell You

A parent’s guide to understanding behaviours of concern as communication and responding with clarity, compassion and confidence. When we begin to see our children’s behaviour as a communication of their…

Toileting and Neurodiversity: Why Accidents Happen Even When They “Know What To Do”

Toileting and Neurodiversity: Why Accidents Happen Even When They “Know What To Do”

A compassionate guide to understanding neurodivergent toileting difficulties and why seemingly simple tasks can feel overwhelming. Most parents are surprised to learn that bowel habits vary widely among people. Medical…

Why Is My Autistic Child Hitting Me After School? Understanding After-School Meltdowns and Challenging Behaviour

Why Is My Autistic Child Hitting Me After School? Understanding After-School Meltdowns and Challenging Behaviour

If your autistic child walks through the door after school and immediately starts hitting, shouting, or having a ‘melt down’ then you are not alone. Many families experience after-school challenging…

Take the Next Step

Contact us for a free 15 minute conversation about your child’s needs and explore how we can help.

Schedule Consultation

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Contact Information
Who are you seeking support for?
If you are in immediate distress or need urgent help, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services.

Reflective Practice

What it is

Reflective practice provides a structured, supportive space for staff working in trauma-exposed or emotionally demanding roles to pause, think, and make sense of their experiences.

How it works

Sessions can be delivered individually or in groups, depending on organisational need. We hold a balanced focus between:

  • The experiences of staff
  • The stories and needs of the people they support

 

This dual perspective helps teams better understand emotional responses, relational dynamics, and differing needs within complex situations.

Outcomes

  • Greater self-awareness — understanding emotional responses, strengths, and areas for growth
  • Increased ‘Outsight’ — reflection on the wider sociopolitical and economic climate that the work happens within
  • More thoughtful decision-making — increased clarity in complex or high-pressure situations
  • Stronger team cohesion — building trust, empathy, and shared understanding
  • Higher quality of care — enabling more attuned, compassionate responses

Over time, this fosters a culture of psychological safety, learning, and developed relational practice.