Specialist Outreach
Rebuilding engagement and attendance
School leaders across the UK are reporting a growing crisis in school attendance, while lacking the resources, capacity and specialist support to respond effectively. Recent DfE data shows that one in five learners are now persistently absent and over 140,000 learners are now classed as severely absent.
Behind these numbers are young people struggling with anxiety and unmet needs who no longer feel safe and supported in school. For many, this presents as Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUPPORT
Our Specialist Outreach programme provides personalised school attendance support for learners struggling to engage in mainstream education, through a personalised, relationship-led approach.
Getting to the root cause
At Nulogic, we view school avoidance as the symptom, not the problem. We support schools to understand and address the underlying causes, not just manage the outcomes.
We believe in taking a tailored approach where:
Learning is adapted and personalised to every individual, and every learner is listened to
A range of environments is used to help learners feel safe before we expect engagement
Belonging is rebuilt, which results in attendance improvement
INCREASED ENGAGEMENT
from learners who were previously not attending
Strengthened relationships
between learners, staff and families
Improved attendance
that’s gradual and sustainable
And we see this impact significantly on their attitude to education, with:
SECONDARY
Our secondary provision helps young people make academic progress while working towards meaningful qualifications. We offer support across core GCSE subjects, including targeted GCSE tuition and Functional Skills pathways. Provision can complement learning in school or form part of an education package. Tutors focus on closing gaps, developing effective learning skills and preparing young people for qualifications, future choices and greater independence.
PRIMARY
Our primary provision is designed to help children rediscover curiosity and enjoyment in learning. We offer English, phonics, maths and science, with teaching carefully adapted to each child’s needs and current skills. Tutors identify gaps and strengthen the foundations needed for future learning, using manageable steps and plenty of opportunities for success. A consistent and supportive approach helps children feel secure, build belief in their abilities and gradually re-engage with education.
POST-16 PROVISION
For young people aged 16 to 20, our focus shifts towards purposeful learning and preparation for adult life. Programmes can include Functional Skills, ASDAN and preparation for adulthood, shaped around individual aspirations and support needs. Learning combines practical experiences with opportunities to develop communication, independence and transferable skills. By getting to know each young person well, we can build a programme that feels relevant and supports meaningful progression towards further education, training, employment and adult life.
LIFE SKILLS MENTORING
Our life skills and mentoring provision creates opportunities to learn through real experiences and positive connections with trusted adults. Activities such as cooking, sport, travel training and community access provide a practical setting for developing communication, independence and everyday skills. Mentoring is woven throughout, supporting young people to better understand themselves, navigate their environment and recognise their strengths. This strand can sit alongside academic tuition or provide a standalone programme focused on personal development, engagement and preparation for adulthood.
Creating long-term connections
When the right support is in place, big changes are possible.
At Nulogic, we focus on long-term reconnection that lays the foundations for lasting progress. We see time and again how feeling understood and supported can switch a learner’s mindset from frustration and disengagement to positivity and hope for the future.
MAKING AN IMPACT
MEET THE MOMENT
Support for EOTAS learners
Our Specialist Outreach service is also accessed by EOTAS learners - young people whose complex needs or prolonged non-attendance means their education is now funded and managed outside of a school setting. We work closely with local authority SEND and alternative provision teams to provide structured, relationship-led support that keeps these learners engaged and progressing.
A trusted
PARTNER
For local authorities, our Specialist Outreach service provides a trusted, quality-assured option for commissioning support for learners who are outside mainstream provision or whose needs require a flexible, community-based approach. We understand the statutory framework and work in close alignment with local authority SEND teams to ensure placements are well-governed and outcomes are tracked.
Our Specialist Outreach programme focuses on the individual needs of the learner. We don’t have a fixed model. Instead, we take time to understand the reasons behind the school avoidance so we can help to bring about positive change.
We listen carefully to every learner’s story and experiences and create a pathway that’s bespoke to them.
The best interactions happen when learners feel safe and secure in their surroundings, so we come to them. This could be at home, in school or somewhere in the community. Our team includes experienced tutors, so we seamlessly blend engagement and academic learning into a holistic approach.
Building trust and encouraging low-pressure engagement is central to our approach, which creates strong foundations for progress.
Our support is tailored for learners with SEND, SEMH needs and EBSA, and led by a team with expertise in trauma and attachment-informed approaches.
We help learners develop core life skills, such as communication, resilience and independence to prepare them for life beyond education.
We let learners lead the process at their own pace, so that consistency is built over time and successful reintegration happens when the time is right.
It’s important that families are involved in the process too, so we communicate with them regularly.
We track engagement, wellbeing and personal milestones so we can monitor progress over time and celebrate the progress at whatever level.
