Frequently asked questions for parents

If you have concerns about your child's physical, emotional, intellectual, or social development, you’re not alone. At Aspris, we believe in seeing the potential in every child. The first step is to speak with your GP or health visitor, who can guide you on the next steps. This can be done before your child starts school or while they are already in an educational setting.

Your GP may refer your child to a team of specialists, such as paediatricians, educational psychologists, or clinical psychologists, to help identify any underlying developmental challenges. These professionals will assess your child and provide a detailed report with recommendations for support. If you’d like to speed up the process, private assessments are also an option at an cost.

Having an official diagnosis can help families understand their child’s needs better, provide access to appropriate services, and offer reassurance to both parents and the child.

These are legally binding documents that outline a young person’s special educational, health, and social care needs. It details the support they require to achieve their full potential and is developed after a thorough assessment by the local authority.

They are designed for young people from birth up to the age of 25 who need additional support beyond what is normally provided in a school or college setting.

You can request a needs assessment through your local authority if you believe your child requires additional support. Young people aged 16 - 25 can also apply for themselves.

Requests can also come from professionals involved in your child’s care, such as doctors, teachers, or health visitors. If the local authority agrees to assess your child, they may ask for:

- Reports from their school or nursery
- Medical assessments
- A letter from you describing your child's needs

Yes, parents have the right to express a preference for their child’s school or college. If your preferred setting is suitable for your child’s needs and aligns with the local authority’s resources, it is likely to be approved. Considerations include:

- Whether the school or college can meet your child’s needs as outlined in the EHCP

- The impact on other students

- Efficient use of local authority funding

At Aspris, we are dedicated to providing excellent schools, colleges, and homes where young people can shine above all expectations and achieve their aspirations.

Each of our schools, colleges, and children’s homes follows a slightly different referral process, but it generally involves:

Initial visit – Parents and/or the local authority visit the service to discuss the child’s needs and see if the setting is a good fit.

Assessment – A member of our senior team observes the child in their current setting (or at home if they are not in education) and gathers relevant information.

Trial visit – The child is invited to spend some time at the school or college to ensure their needs can be met.

Following a successful assessment, a placement offer is made. Our goal is to support young people in reaching for brighter futures.

Simply contact the service you are interested in and ask to speak with a member of the Education Referrals Team or Home Placement Team. They will discuss your child’s needs and arrange a visit at a convenient time.

Yes, parents can privately fund placements. However, in most cases, local authorities, education departments, and social services provide funding and referrals.

If you are moving to a new area, you should contact your new local authority as soon as possible. Funding is usually only confirmed once you can provide proof of residence in that area.

Our team of experienced psychotherapists offer diverse therapeutic interventions ranging from psychodynamic, humanistic, child centred, play, drama, cognitive behavioural therapy, creative approaches, solution focused, emotional focused and dyadic developmental psychology modalities. Additionally, we utilise clinical psychology, paediatric occupational therapist and sensory integration oversight to inform plans of support and guidance. This ensures we can tailor our therapeutic support to meet the needs of our young people.

At Aspris, we believe every young person has potential — and when their individual needs are truly met, they can shine above all expectations. That belief drives our therapeutic approach, which is rooted in compassion, expertise, and trauma-informed practice.
We work closely with leading organisations such as the Autism Education Trust (AET), Trauma Informed Schools UK (TIS), and the National Autistic Society to continually enhance our support for children and young people with SEND. Many of our settings are working towards or hold TIS accreditation, and our teams benefit from ongoing specialist training.

Our multi-disciplinary teams, including access to educational and clinical psychologists, deliver a wide range of therapies designed to meet each young person’s unique needs:
• Speech and Language Therapy (SaLT)
• Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Art, Music, and Play Therapies
• Counselling and Emotional Literacy Support (ELSA)
• Reflexology
• Animal-Assisted Therapies
These interventions are timely, personalised, and designed to build confidence, resilience, and independence.

We focus on developing life skills tailored to each young person’s needs. Our support may include:

- ASDAN courses (practical skills and personal development programs)

- Travel training to build confidence using public transport

- Independent living skills, such as cooking, budgeting, and personal care

- Vocational training and preparation for further education or employment

At Aspris, we see potential in everyone and we are committed to our mission to support young people to achieve their full potential.

Yes. Our schools and colleges are specifically designed to support students who have faced challenges in mainstream settings. We provide structured programs to help students settle in, rebuild confidence, and engage with learning in a way that works for them.

Each student receives tailored support, with the ultimate goal of developing their independence and ability to thrive.

We see parents and carers as key partners in a child’s education and development. Where appropriate, we keep families informed and involved through:

- Regular updates on progress

- Open days and review meetings

- A dedicated key worker to provide direct communication and support

- Opportunities to visit and engage with their child’s learning and achievements

We believe that collaboration between home and school is essential for a child’s success.

Yes. Many of our schools and colleges provide specialist post-16 education, focusing on academic qualifications, vocational training, and independent living skills. Our tailored programmes support young people in achieving their aspirations—whether that’s further education, employment, or independent living.
Our children’s homes are typically registered to support young people up to age 18.

We are committed to working closely with parents, carers, and social workers. If you have a concern, we encourage you to first speak with a staff member you regularly communicate with. If you feel the issue is unresolved, you can contact the school or college principal or children’s home manager.

If further action is needed, you can escalate your complaint by emailing complaints@aspris.com.

For more information about our services or to discuss your child’s needs, please contact us by visiting our contact us page and filling in our form, calling or emailing us. Our team is here to help and guide you through the process.

We are Aspris. Together we raise potential