WildSteps AP
Alternative education provision
WildSteps AP supports children and young people who are unable to attend full-time mainstream education. We provide a safe, nurturing and engaging environment that promotes personal growth, emotional wellbeing and meaningful learning experiences.
About us
WildSteps AP is an alternative education provision created to support children and young people who are unable to attend full-time mainstream education.
As a Community Interest Company, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing and engaging environment that promotes personal growth, emotional wellbeing and meaningful learning experiences. We support young people to build confidence, resilience, social skills and a stronger sense of belonging.
Through relationship-based support, outdoor learning, structure and positive experiences, we aim to help young people rebuild confidence, develop resilience and re-engage with education in a meaningful way.
“Every young person deserves an environment where they feel safe, valued, and capable of success.”
Our story
WildSteps was founded by four experienced professionals with over 30 years of combined experience supporting children and young people facing significant challenges.
Our team’s background spans residential care, trauma-informed practice, special educational needs, mental health support, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and school non-attendance.
Why WildSteps
Over many years, we witnessed the lack of suitable, consistent and nurturing educational options for children who had experienced rejection, exclusion, low self-esteem and barriers to engagement.
Repeated difficulties maintaining mainstream placements, alongside limited local alternatives, inspired the creation of WildSteps.
Our belief
Our commitment is rooted in empathy, understanding and belief in every child’s potential. We believe young people are more able to learn, grow and take positive steps forward when they feel safe, understood and supported by trusted adults.
We meet children where they are, respond to their individual needs and create opportunities for success through calm, consistent and meaningful support.
Who we support
WildSteps aims to support children and young people who are struggling with school attendance, lack suitable local educational options, require short or medium-term alternative provision, or are experiencing educational barriers due to anxiety, behaviour or unmet needs.
Placements are considered individually to ensure the setting can safely and effectively meet the young person’s needs.
What we do
WildSteps will initially support up to 10 children and young people per day, offering a calm, safe and structured environment that encourages growth, exploration and engagement.
Children will take part in creative, practical, social, community and nature-based activities. Learning will be holistic, experiential and flexible, led in part by each child’s interests and curiosity.
Creative
Art projects, painting, clay modelling, graffiti-style art boards, comic book creation, music sessions, drama games, photography and film projects.
Nature
Forest school activities, den building, fire safety, nature crafts, conservation work, gardening projects, bug hotels, bird feeders and outdoor scavenger hunts.
Skills
Team-building activities, resilience challenges, obstacle courses, LEGO engineering, basic woodwork, simple science experiments, sports and fitness.
Community
Beach exploration, environmental awareness and visits to zoos, conservation centres, museums and local community sites.
Our approach
Our team uses a trauma-informed model grounded in the PACE framework: Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy.
By meeting children where they are and supporting their unique needs, we help them make progress academically, socially and emotionally.
Playfulness
Bringing a light-hearted, fun, and warm tone to interactions. This helps lower defenses, creates ease, and shows the child that the relationship is bigger than any single mistake or argument.
Acceptance
Unconditionally accepting the child’s thoughts, feelings, and motives as their reality in that moment. It does not mean accepting bad behavior, but rather validating the emotion behind it.
Curiosity
Gently wondering why the child is behaving a certain way, without being critical or judgmental. It helps the child explore their own mind and motives alongside the caregiver.
Empathy
Stepping into the child's shoes to understand and share their emotional experience. It involves being emotionally present with the child, offering comfort and support through their distress.
Our aims
Wellbeing Improve emotional regulation and overall wellbeing
Confidence Build confidence and self-belief through positive experiences
Understanding Support children in understanding behaviours and needs
Skills Develop social, emotional and communication skills
Learning Reinspire enjoyment of learning
Next steps Support reintegration into suitable education where appropriate
Daily structure
Attendance 9:00am - 2:30pm
Snacks & drinks Morning and mid-morning
Lunch Cold lunch options available
Progress records Personalised daily digital logs
Meet the team
Our team has experience across residential care, trauma-informed practice, special educational needs, mental health, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, and school non-attendance.
Our commitment is rooted in empathy, understanding and belief in each child’s potential.
Joint Director
Add a short biography here, including his experience, qualifications and role within WildSteps AP.
Joint Director
Add a short biography here, including her experience, qualifications and role within WildSteps AP.
Add a short biography here, including experience, qualifications and role within WildSteps.
Add a short biography here, including experience, qualifications and role within WildSteps.
Training and responsibilities
Practice Trauma-informed practice and PACE
Safety Safeguarding, First Aid and COSHH
Support Signs of Safety and children’s mental health
Behaviour Positive behaviour support
Development Continual professional development
Contact us
WildSteps aims to support children and young people who are struggling with school attendance, lack suitable local educational options, require short or medium-term alternative provision, or are experiencing barriers due to anxiety, behaviour or unmet needs.
Please note: we are unable to support young people who display frequent or significant acts of violence or high-risk behaviours that cannot be safely managed within our setting.
Email wildstepsap@outlook.com
Phone 01234 567899
Location Beccles Road area, United Kingdom