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Hear directly from the person behind Directional — qualified teacher, practitioner, and youth advocate.
Three ways we support young people
Alternative Provision
Structured placements for students who aren't in mainstream school — built around their needs, with regular reporting back to you.
How AP worksSchool Outreach
1:1 mentoring and group sessions delivered in your school or in the community. We fit around your timetable and your priorities.
How outreach worksCommunity Work
Programmes that give young people structure, connection, and something positive to be part of — beyond the school gates.
One student's attendance went from 15% to over 80% within a single term with us.
Find the right support
Let our guide help you find the right next step
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for — by voice or text — and we'll point you in the right direction. This assistant uses an AI voice. It doesn't replace a real conversation, but it can help you get to the right place faster.
You can also browse the site, fill in a form, or get in touch directly.
Trusted by schools across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Buckinghamshire to support young people at risk of disengagement.
Why schools keep coming back
- We get through to students that other services struggle to reach — because we've been there ourselves
- We report back to you: attendance, engagement, progress, incidents. No guesswork.
- We work where it suits — in your school, in the community, or through an AP placement
- Our team is led by a Qualified English Teacher who's spent over 10 years working with young people
- We combine lived experience with research to make real change on the ground
What we bring into the room
- Experience of working with young people that others find hardest to reach.
- Honest conversations — with students, with schools, and with families.
- High expectations, delivered with warmth.
- Clear boundaries that young people can rely on.
- Lived experience of growing up in the communities we serve.
- Patience. This work takes time, and we don't rush it.
Referrals start with a conversation
Email or call us. We'll respond within 2 working days. No forms needed at this stage — just tell us about the young person and what you're looking for.
Full referral detailsWhat re-engagement looks like in practice
Re-engagement rarely happens in a single conversation. It usually starts with one or two sessions a week, on terms the young person can manage, and grows from there. We work alongside the school throughout — sharing what's changing, what isn't, and what needs to come next — so progress made with us translates into progress in the classroom.
More stories like thisSee how we work
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Monthly notes on what's working in Alternative Provision — case studies, policy updates, and practical guides for schools.
Hear from us occasionally
Stories from our work, opportunities to get involved, and updates that matter. We only send what's worth reading.