.png)
_edited.png)
early intervention - targeted support
Supporting children, young people, and their families with early intervention for SEND support, mental health difficulties, and neurodiversity needs.
Youth voice * Creativity * Health & Wellbeing * Alternative Learning * Social Action *
Our Early Intervention Service
Our Early Intervention service supports children and young people aged 5–18 who are experiencing social, emotional, or mental health difficulties. In partnership with Swindon Borough Council, funded places are available for those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or neurodiverse profiles - with or without an EHCP.
Eligibility for funded support is based on needs identified in one of the following:
– Early Help Assessment
– Child in Need or Child Protection Plan
– Looked After Plan
– SEN Support Plan
– Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
This service addresses a range of educational, emotional, and low-level mental health needs, supporting both young people and their families.
All plans are developed by professionals from Swindon Borough Council’s children’s, education, and family services. We deliver this service through our Single Provider contract for Early Intervention with the Council. Referrals come directly from Swindon Borough Council.
Early intervention is about spotting concerns early and giving children and young people the right support before things get worse. It helps prevent problems from escalating and builds important life skills that set them up for the future.
Support can take many forms – from working with parents at home, to school-based activities that build confidence and emotional skills, to mentoring for teenagers at risk of getting involved in harmful behaviours.
While early years are important, research shows that the right support at any age, from childhood through to the teenage years, can make a big difference to a young person’s life.
More Info here from the Early Intervention Foundation.
WHAT IS EARLY INTERVENTION?
OUR EARLY INTERVENTION SEND SERVICE OFFER
✅ Available from September 2025:
🎯 Targeted Nurture Groups - funded
After-school sessions during term time (SN1), focused on emotional wellbeing, self-regulation, and peer connection.
🧠 1:1 Consultations
Town Centre Drop-in or Online advice sessions with children, young people, or parents/carers to explore support needs and agree next steps.
🚶♀️ Family Walking & Talking
Monthly wellbeing walks in Queens Park (SN1) — an informal space for connection, conversation, and shared advice.
✨ coming soon
Digital Signposting Hub
Easy access to the Swindon Local Offer, universal and targeted services, and local family-friendly events.
Family Connector Roles
Volunteer opportunities for parents/carers with lived experience of raising a child with SEND. Support local families through drop-ins, community walks, and shared experiences (in-person/ online community).
Outreach One-to-One Support for CYP
We’re seeking volunteers with strong communication skills and a passion for inclusion to help deliver child/ youth consultations.
We’ll also be offering placement opportunities to UWE Bristol social work students.
Family Resilience Camp
A supportive and therapeutic retreat experience focused on building family wellbeing, resilience, and connection.
_edited.png)
Volunteer With Us: Make a Difference in Your Community
Do you have 1–3 hours a week to spare? Whether you’d like to support children during our Nurture Group sessions or chat with families to offer friendly advice and signposting, we’d love to hear from you.
We actively welcome volunteers from all backgrounds — especially those with lived experience of caring for a child with SEND, those who are neurodivergent themselves, or individuals who have been in care.
We’re just finalising the role details — join our mailing list to be the first to hear when applications open!
NURTURE GROUPS
Our Nurture Groups are a targeted, evidence-based programme designed to support children and young people aged 5 - 18 with SEND needs or neurodiverse needs.
Rooted in trauma-informed practice, sessions are delivered using an adapted model from the Nurture Group Network UK.
📅 Running during term time, we offer overlapping age groups to give families flexibility based on developmental stage, confidence, and availability:
-
Ages 5–7
-
Ages 6–9
-
Ages 8–11
-
Ages 10–13
-
Ages 12–15
-
Ages 14–18
📍Location: SN1 – to be confirmed
NURTURE GROUP DELIVERY
Children and young people are at the heart of our service, with the flexibility, choice, and control to shape their own experience.
🗣️ Emotional Literacy & Regulation Strategies
Supporting emotional growth through:
-
Developing self-awareness
-
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques
-
Cognitive restructuring
-
Behavioural interventions
-
Safe spaces and emotional check-ins
-
Emotion-focused conversations
-
Restorative practices
-
Self-compassion tools
🎯 Health, Wellbeing & Safety Topics
Tailored sessions covering relationships, personal safety, mental health and wellbeing — adapted to meet the specific needs of each participant.
🎨 Arts for Wellbeing
Creative expression as a therapeutic tool:
-
Youth-led, mixed-media arts sessions
-
Group and 1:1 creative exploration
-
Talking therapies integrated with arts practice
🤝 Advocacy Support
We make sure every child or young person feels seen, heard, and supported — including representing their voice in school learning plans and at Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings, helping to shape a meaningful and personalised Early Help Plan.
.png)
🌍 Growing With Our Community
As our service develops, we are looking to partner with schools and community centres that are interested in hosting this programme on-site.
We’re also seeking additional funding to launch free creative wellbeing drop-in sessions — a light-touch, flexible way for children and young people to stay connected and supported in their mental health beyond structured interventions.
Each young person begins with an initial 3-month Nurture Group intervention, with the option to continue through our step-down support pathways, tailored to individual needs and available space.
Most often, this includes support in transitioning to universal services and helping families access the right long-term provision for their child or young person. For those with computer access, we also offer a virtual Nurture Group, focused on digital arts for wellbeing. Where digital access is limited, we may be able to extend in-person access to the Nurture Group on a case-by-case basis.
⏳ The maximum support period offered through our Early Intervention SEND pathway is 6 months.
📆 Duration & Step-Down Support
Our Evidence-Based Approach
At Rebel, our services are rooted in evidence-based approaches that promote emotional wellbeing, engagement, and meaningful change. Our framework is shaped by leading psychological and educational theories, allowing us to deliver personalised, therapeutic support that meets the unique needs of every learner.
We draw upon the following approaches:
🧠 Nurture Theory
Grounded in attachment theory and neuroscience, we focus on building safe, trusting relationships that support healthy emotional and social development.
💬 CBT-Informed Practice
We help young people identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts, develop coping strategies, and strengthen their emotional regulation.
🔺 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
We ensure each learner’s basic needs are met — providing a secure foundation for motivation, self-esteem, and growth.
🌈 PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy)
This trauma-informed model underpins our daily practice, fostering connection, safety, and trust through respectful, attuned relationships.
🎯 Solution-Focused Coaching & Motivational Interviewing
Using OARS (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summarising), we guide young people to develop self-awareness, explore their readiness for change, and take confident steps toward their goals.