Children Lead The Way C.I.C. is a community interest company based in Gloucestershire, providing nature-based learning and wellbeing recovery services for primary-aged children (4–12 years) through an outdoor provision model that incorporates forest school activities with a strong focus on SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) provision. Our services are designed to support children and families experiencing adversity, trauma, hardship, or delays in accessing alternative education due to emotional school-based avoidance, burnout or pending SEND placements. Our core offering consists of weekly outdoor learning and wellbeing sessions held in a rented woodland space on a privately owned farm. These sessions support children’s mental, emotional, and social recovery and development through nature-connected, self-directed play and therapeutic approaches grounded in the Forest School and a SEND neuro-affirming ethos. Following a trial period from September 2024 to February 2025, the company officially launched its services in March 2025. Since the centre's initial opening in July 2024, we have delivered a wide range of activities that have positively impacted the local community: Delivered 35 outdoor learning sessions, engaging over 200 children. Partnered with local primary schools to deliver CPD (Continuing Professional Development) training for teachers on SEND, self-directed play, and nature-based learning approaches. Provided 38 complimentary sessions to children from out-of-school families, 85% of whom were from low-income households. Organised 4 free seasonal community engagement events, including Christmas-themed sessions, sup-porting over 25 families. Opened a Community Fundraising partnership with BAPT registered Play & Creative Arts Therapy CIC to raise a fund specifically to reduce financial barriers for vulnerable children to gain access to weekly play therapy sessions. Total raised by end of July 2025 equated too £1470 from donations and organised ticket event sales. 100% funds raised from events specifically for the Community Fund are collected in Separate Community Fund savings account. Partnered with Selco Building Company (Cheltenham) and Wood You Like Limited (Gloucester) to support four families with children experiencing emotionally based school avoidance, panning event day to build three teepees through woodworking to boost confidence, wellbeing, and community connection (planned 26th August 2025). Through these activities, Children Lead The Way C.I.C. has played a vital role in addressing gaps in education and support services for vulnerable families, fostering resilience, inclusion, and wellbeing within the Gloucestershire community.

Children Lead The Way C.I.C identifies its key stakeholders as local families, children, schools, and community groups within Gloucestershire. The directors themselves are parents of children with additional needs and are professionally active within the education sector, particularly in SEND support. This dual role allows them to maintain a close connection with the needs and experiences of families and to apply their firsthand knowledge in shaping the service provision. Stakeholder consultation has been ongoing and multi-faceted, with consistent engagement forming a core part of our approach. Feedback is gathered regularly from parents, children, and community members through the following mechanisms: Regular feedback forms and reviews completed by parents, carers, and children after ses-sions. Inclusive onsite feedback systems, including voting tools tailored to non-verbal children, allowing all participants to contribute. Quarterly social media engagement reviews (e.g., Facebook) engaging parents, educa-tors, and local community members. Weekly informal discussions during sessions, allowing real-time feedback and observa-tions. 1-to-1 feedback calls and conversations between stakeholders and directors. Key findings from stakeholder consultations include: High demand for alternative SEND support: Stakeholders highlighted that children awaiting SEND assessments or specialist placements face wait times of 13–15 months, of-ten without suitable educational provision. Prevalence of school-based anxiety and trauma: Families reported that the main driv-ers of school avoidance include mental and emotional health issues, suspected undiagnosed SEND needs, and trauma, leaving both children and parents in a highly vulnerable position. Positive reception of service model: Feedback praised the safe, inclusive, and flexible nature of the outdoor learning sessions, particularly the non-pressured, child-led approach that respects autonomy, sensory needs, and neurodiversity. High value placed on affordability and community: Families consistently emphasised the importance of affordable services, a sense of belonging, and access to supportive net-works. The value of consistent staff relationships and trauma-informed practice was also strongly noted. Identified need for therapeutic services: Many families expressed an increasing need for additional trauma-informed therapeutic support to complement the existing provision, particularly in light of the challenges faced during or after withdrawal from mainstream education. In response to this feedback, the company opened a fundraising Community Fund with Commitments Statement and Separate savings account with co-operative bank to expand therapeutic services. Directors continue to engage closely with families and partner organisations to shape future developments in line with community needs.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration