Our Coaching Programme
Helping young people to flourish from Year 6 to adulthood
ReconnectEd is a charity delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed emotion coaching to help vulnerable young people remain in education, gain qualifications and flourish into adulthood.
We work with young people who may face significant barriers to learning, including children in care, previously looked-after children, children with a social worker and those in kinship care.
Our approach combines consistent, trusted relationships, emotional support, enrichment activities and academic intervention to help young people overcome barriers and achieve their potential.
From Sheffield to a new Virtual School model
From January 2023 to September 2026, ReconnectEd has delivered an established coaching pilot in Sheffield, supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable young people.
The pilot has demonstrated the difference that consistent, trusted relationships and trauma-informed support can make. With the support of a ReconnectEd coach, more than 95% of pupils remained in school, 100% of Year 11 pupils secured sustained post-16 destinations, and 78% experienced a reduction in poor mental wellbeing.
You can see our latest impact report for further information here.
Building on these findings and our learnings, we are now evolving the model in Warwickshire, working in partnership with Local Authority Virtual Schools and schools to provide a more comprehensive offer that combines dedicated coaching with targeted academic tutoring.
Why this matters
Vulnerable young people face serious and unfair disadvantages in education, and the pandemic has made this worse.
The young people we will be working with are in care, supported by a social worker, adopted, in kinship care, or involved with the youth justice system. These children are more likely to be excluded, moved from their communities, or simply miss out on vital learning.
The risks are stark: leaving school without qualifications often leads to poverty, addiction, homelessness, or exploitation. Research shows that every year in education improves life expectancy and that targeted interventions for disadvantaged students can break cycles of inequality.
This programme gives young people the chance to achieve qualifications, grow in confidence, and build a brighter future—disrupting disadvantage before it becomes lifelong.
33% of children with social care involvement are excluded at least once in secondary school, compared to 13% of all children
— Child Abuse and Neglect, UCL
What the programme offers
Dedicated Coach
Each young person is matched with a dedicated ReconnectEd Coach from Year 6 through to Year 11.
Coaches provide consistent, daily support and emotion coaching throughout school, working closely with the young person, their family or carers, school staff and other professionals.
Every Coach brings lived experience of challenges that many young people face, helping them build strong, trusting relationships with the pupils they support.
Young people are also offered enriching opportunities via our Expanding Horizons Programme
Specialist Tuition
Alongside coaching, young people receive targeted English and/or Maths GCSE tuition from qualified, trauma-informed teachers through Equal Education, an award winning organisation.
By combining ReconnectEd’s specialised holistic emotion coaching with Equal Education's targeted subject tutoring, this collaboration provides the ultimate, research-backed conditions for success.
Ongoing Training & Mentoring
Coaches are supported by ReconnectEd’s specialist team through intensive training, mentoring and supervision.
Impact assessment & Evaluation
Schools and local authorities receive clear evidence of progress and impact, helping with development planning and inspection preparation.
Programme Funding
Local Authority Virtual Schools will be investing £4,500 per pupil per year
Schools contribute just £500 per pupil per year
This collaborative investment ensures young people receive the specialist support they deserve.
Get involved
We are now working with Local Authority Virtual Schools to develop and deliver this model for children and young people who need additional support to thrive in education.
The programme is designed to help Virtual Schools:
reduce the risk of permanent and school exclusion
improve attendance, engagement and wellbeing
support young people to gain qualifications
provide access to high-quality, trauma-informed tutoring
support successful transitions beyond Year 11
strengthen trauma-informed practice within schools
demonstrate impact and value for money.
Reduce NEETs
Prevent escalation into high cost statutory provision
Our ambition is to build a model that can be adapted and delivered in partnership with Virtual Schools across the country.
We would love to talk to Local Authorities and Virtual Schools interested in exploring the programme.