Therapeutic Forest School- Frequently Asked Questions

Our weekly sessions are intentionally designed for neurodivergent children who are home-educated, flexi-schooling, or learning outside of a traditional school environment — whether that's full-time home education, EOTAS, EBSA, or anything in between. We offer a gentle, low-demand space where children can connect, explore, and build a positive neurodivergent identity completely on their own terms. 

No. We don't require a diagnosis, an IDP, or any paperwork — if you think your child would benefit from a small, low-demand, neurodiversity affirming group, you're welcome. We know how long assessment waits can be, and we'd rather children have support now than wait for a process to catch up. Self identification is valid. 

Because it isn't one. Unlike a standard community forest school, our sessions are led by a Neurodivergent-Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and a Therapeutic Forest School Leader. Every session is designed and delivered with clinical expertise in neurodivergent communication, low-demand approaches, and alternative education pathways in mind. We can also tap into support from our OT colleague. Groups are small, bespoke and flexible, with at least two professionals supporting the group.

While this is a low-demand space rather than formal clinical therapy, your fee reflects an exceptionally high staffing ratio and specialist clinical input.

That's what we're here for. If something needs adjusting to meet the needs of an individual — a few 1:1 sessions, video and photos of the site, adjusting sessions or support, a virtual meet, parent support and coaching, or support to transfer skills into other settings — we can work with you.

Yes. We can put a plan together for additional support, such as generalising skills into other settings, supporting transitions, onward referrals, training to others, dynamic assessment and observations, attending meetings to help advocate, or completing reports or letters. These are arranged in addition to the group, depending on booking and availability.

Because we are dedicated to providing a safe,  predictable environment, our group size is strictly limited to 3–4 children. This lets us genuinely know each child, follow their lead, and keep the space feeling calm and predictable — which isn't possible with larger groups.

The sessions are not formal clinical therapy. It is clinical expertise shaped around each child, delivered in a way that doesn't feel like therapy: child-led, outdoors, low-demand, and on the child's own terms. Many children who find clinics or classrooms overwhelming can access support far more easily in this kind of space.

The group runs as a regular, ongoing provision — much like swimming lessons or a weekly club. To keep costs predictable, sessions are booked and paid for in half-term blocks, with all dates published in advance, so you always know exactly what you're paying for and when. We are happy to be flexible to make it work for you…just talk to us.

And if money gets tight, you can move down our sliding scale at any time, no questions asked. No family should ever have to withdraw their child because their circumstances changed.

The groups are for children and the long term goal is for children to feel safe and independent in the setting. However, parents are always welcome to stay. It may be at the beginning until your child becomes more confident or on a day that they just need more support. Our group naturally doubles as an informal parent-coaching and peer-support hub. You have direct access to specialist practitioners to chat through low-demand communication strategies, neuroaffirmative approaches, and advocacy support in a relaxed, rural setting or to request a catch up at another time. 

It's also a chance to connect with other parents with similar experiences.

Possibly — it depends on the group. At our standard inclusive forest school sessions, we've had participants as young as 8 months, but for these groups we keep them small and well matched, so we decide case by case. Some children find having a younger child around tricky; others find it genuinely helpful. If you think your child would eventually settle into the group without you right in the thick of it, there's plenty of space for you to be nearby with your little one. Get in touch and we'll talk it through.

Yes — additional siblings are always welcome at a reduced rate, no explanation needed. We know that two places can be a lot for one family, and we'd rather keep siblings together if this is right for them, than let cost get in the way. 

Every child’s goals will be individual, based on their needs and what’s important to them, but broadly we hope children get out of it:

- Being an active participant and having a sense of belonging, in a small group, on their own terms

- Feeling confident to share feelings and ideas, and to speak up for themselves

- Building resilience and taking safe risks, through the natural world and each other

- Growing acceptance, understanding, and a positive neurodivergent identity