Finding the right support for your child can be a life-changing experience for the whole family.
Our neurodivergent child and young person mentoring service provides high-quality, personalised support at school, at home or via the web.
With our help, your child will understand themselves, gain the skills to tackle challenges and become happy and more confident.
How it works
The key to our success lies in mentor matching
Discovery conversation
You'll meet with Patsy, our founder, online or in person to talk about your child's history plus any concerns, challenges and goals. However hopeless, frustrated or angry you are, Patsy will 'get it'. After all, she's a neurodivergent Mum, SENCO and mentor with years of experience to draw upon. At the end of the call, we're sure you'll feel lighter and more positive.
Initial session
Patsy will meet with your child to help them identify the reasons for their challenges, e.g. the underlying reasons for them being unable to attend school and engage positively at home. She'll use her experience to help her join the dots and get to the bottom of what's really happening. Parents often find that children reveal new information at this early stage.
Mentor matching
Patsy will match your child with one of our mentors. They'll have the training and lived experience needed to understand your young person and give them the right support. If there's a choice of mentors, we'll involve your child in the final decision.
Weekly mentoring sessions
Depending on availability and your child's needs, your mentor will deliver your child's sessions at home or online. With your school and child's permission, sessions can also be held at school.
Moving on
Your child won't need weekly sessions forever, but we'll be always be here if you need us.
What makes a good mentor?
Find out what we look for
Benefits for children and young people
Mentoring has many positive effects
Understanding
Their mentor will help them understand their neurodiversity and focus on their strengths
Sharing concerns
They'll be able to discuss worries about school and be helped through periods of transition, e.g. moving up a year or to a new setting
Validation
Your child won't feel alone. They'll know that other people truly understand their experiences and will help them overcome their challenges
Reduced anxiety
They can attend sessions in a setting that feels 'safe', such as your lounge, online or an alternative setting
Sense of worth
They'll be supported to set goals and personal targets which are meaningful and achievable
Social confidence
They'll have opportunities to connect with other neurodivergent young people via in-person or online social spaces
Resilience
They'll understand why they are challenged and become more confident in managing challenges independently
Challenges we can help overcome
Here are some examples of how we can help
Emotional regulation
Social confidence
Understanding their diagnosis
Exam stress
Perspectives
Self-esteem
Problem solving
Executive functioning
Why choose us?
We make life better for everyone
We're not stuffy or scary
We're here to help you and your child, not to judge
The personal touch
Tailoring our support to your child's needs will make your child feel acknowledged, supported and happier
Consistency
Your child can have as many sessions as they need, even in the school holidays
Safety
We provide a safe space for your child to talk but backed up with safeguarding
Back up
We can provide an unbiased opinion, e.g. for EHCPs
Priorities
We'll prioritise your child's wellbeing and self-worth over school attendance
Experience
Our mentors have training and lived experience of supporting neurodivergent children and young people
Transition support
We can help your child transition successfully, e.g. move to a specialist setting
Finalist for
Small Business Award & Education Awards
2 x Nomination
FAQ for parents
If you don't find the answers you need, please contact us
Sessions last for 45 minutes. They'll take place in person at home, at school (with school's permission) or online.
We can be flexible with the focus of your child's sessions, e.g. if your child is happier talking whilst baking or building with Lego, then that's what we'll do (with your permission, of course)!
We'll identify areas of concern with you during the Discovery Session, but we'll be flexible enough to explore any other challenges that your child may share during a mentoring session.
Yes. One of the main advantages of self-funded mentoring is that we can provide a service during the school holidays.
Holiday support is especially useful for children transitioning to a new environment or for children who struggle with changes to routine.
Of course, your mentor will want to spend some holiday time with their own family, but this will be agreed in advance so your child is prepared.
We recommend telling your child that you're seeking some support for them. It's really important that they understand what's happening right from the start and feel like they have a choice as to whether they want to give mentoring a go.
We recommend showing them our website and Facebook page so they can familiarise themselves with Patsy (as they will meet her first) and, later on, their mentor.
We recommend stressing to them that we all have experience of supporting children with neurodivergence and that nothing is likely to faze us!
In the unlikely event of your child being unable to engage, please contact Patsy via admin@key2confidence.co.uk.
We ask parents to commit to a minimum of six sessions. However, the best results are seen after 12 sessions. By this time, we've built a strong bond with a child, they've felt comfortable opening up to us and we've helped them to overcome challenges so they feel confident in their ability to cope as support is reduced. That said, the door will always be open if circumstances change and your child would benefit from more support in the future.
Sessions are invoiced and paid for in advance in blocks of three.
If your child is sick, please email their mentor on their Key2Confidence email address, CCing admin@key2confidence.co.uk. If possible, please give at least 12 hours notice.
The time has already been reserved for that child so the session will be billable, as normal. In extenuating circumstances, we may be able to make other arrangements at our discretion.
If the mentor is unwell, we will give as much notice as possible (to a named email address) and roll the session over.
Please book a free Discovery Meeting via Calendly so we can discuss your needs and let you know when we can help.
The child or young person will need access to a laptop with Zoom, a quiet room and the necessary support to log in.
We use a range of security measures including private email boxes, anonymised notes and lockable storage. Find out more in our confidentiality and data protection policies.
Yes. With your child's agreement, we'll give you a short feedback summary after each session. This will normally be emailed to you within 48 hours.
If your child has school-related issues, an independent mentor can act as a bridge between them and school. Some children need reassurance that we're not here to force them back into an uncomfortable situation. However, we will happily provide feedback about what school can do to help.
Get in touch
For more information, please completing the form or get in touch:
07908 205 379