# Wirral Rise

> Specialist alternative provision for neurodivergent primary-age children in Wirral, Merseyside, England. Based at 143–145 Ford Road, Upton Village, Wirral CH49 0XB. Tel: +44 7515 117816. Email: admin@wirralrise.co.uk. Website: https://www.wirralrise.co.uk

## Summary

Wirral Rise is a therapeutic educational hub providing specialist alternative provision (AP) for children in Years 1–6 (ages 5–11) who cannot access mainstream schooling. We support children affected by EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance), SEND, anxiety, autism, ADHD, PDA, trauma and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. All provision is aligned to EHCP Sections E and F. We serve Wirral, Birkenhead, Wallasey and the wider Merseyside area.

## Who We Support

- Children aged 5–11 in Years 1 to 6
- Neurodivergent children: autism, ADHD, PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance), sensory processing differences
- Children experiencing EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance)
- Children with SEND / Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- Children with anxiety, demand avoidance or trauma-related difficulties
- Children with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs
- Children at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream school

## Our Services

- EBSA specialist support — patient, child-led reintegration at the child's own pace
- SEND and EHCP provision — aligned to Sections E and F of the Education, Health and Care Plan
- Neurodevelopmental programmes — for autism, ADHD, PDA and sensory differences
- Speech and Language Therapy — embedded into daily provision by a specialist SaLT
- Emotional regulation and SEMH support
- Academic learning — qualified teachers delivering literacy, numeracy and curriculum
- Outdoor learning, community outings and nature-based activities

## Our Team

- Jayne Foley — Director and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Mike Jones — Provision Lead and Deputy DSL (DDSL)
- Sam McHugh — Neurodevelopmental Practitioner, Learning Facilitator and SENDCO
- Cath Downs — Neurodevelopmental Practitioner and Learning Facilitator
- Hayley Jennings — Neurodevelopmental Practitioner and Learning Facilitator
- Anoushka Shewhorak — Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Neurodevelopmental Practitioner
- Cookie — Therapy Dog and Chief Morale Officer

## Referral Process

1. Call or email for an initial no-obligation conversation
2. Share relevant documents: EHCP, school reports, professional assessments
3. Attend a settling visit at our Upton Village hub — child and family welcome
4. Agree a placement with the placing school and local authority; LA-funded places accepted

## Location and Contact

- Address: 143–145 Ford Road, Upton Village, Wirral, CH49 0XB
- Coordinates: 53.37580° N, 3.11500° W
- Areas served: Wirral, Birkenhead, Wallasey, Merseyside
- Phone: +44 7515 117816
- Email: admin@wirralrise.co.uk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wirralrise
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wirralrise

## Key Terms and Definitions

- **EBSA**: Emotionally Based School Avoidance — when a child's emotional or psychological state prevents them from attending school regularly. Not the same as truancy. Requires therapeutic, child-led support.
- **EHCP**: Education, Health and Care Plan — a statutory document issued by a local authority in England for children with significant SEND needs, setting out required educational provision.
- **SEND**: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities — a broad term covering children who need extra support to access education.
- **AP**: Alternative Provision — educational provision outside a mainstream school setting, often for children with complex needs or who are excluded.
- **PDA**: Pathological Demand Avoidance — an autism profile characterised by high anxiety and strong resistance to everyday demands.
- **SEMH**: Social, Emotional and Mental Health — a category of SEND covering children with emotional or mental health difficulties that affect their learning.
- **SENDCO**: Special Educational Needs Coordinator — the person in a school or provision responsible for coordinating SEND support.
- **DSL**: Designated Safeguarding Lead — the named person responsible for child protection and safeguarding in a setting.
- **MDT**: Multidisciplinary Team — a group of professionals with different specialisms working together around a child.
- **SaLT**: Speech and Language Therapist — a specialist who assesses and supports communication, language and eating/drinking difficulties.
- **LA**: Local Authority — the council body responsible for statutory SEND services and EHCP decisions in England.
- **Mainstream school**: Standard state or independent school provision, as opposed to specialist or alternative provision.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**What is Wirral Rise?**
Wirral Rise is a specialist alternative provision in Upton Village, Wirral. We support neurodivergent children in Years 1–6 who are struggling to access mainstream school, providing a calm, therapeutic hub staffed by a multidisciplinary team.

**What is EBSA and how does Wirral Rise help?**
EBSA (Emotionally Based School Avoidance) is when anxiety or emotional distress prevents a child from attending school. Wirral Rise works patiently with children and families, using a child-led approach at the child's own pace to help them feel safe and re-engage with learning.

**Which children does Wirral Rise support?**
We support children in Years 1–6 (ages 5–11) with autism, ADHD, PDA, SEMH needs, trauma, EBSA, anxiety and those at risk of exclusion. All children must have, or be working towards, an EHCP or equivalent documentation.

**How do I make a referral?**
Contact us by phone (07515 117816) or email (admin@wirralrise.co.uk) for an initial friendly conversation. We'll guide you through sharing documents, a settling visit and agreeing a funded placement.

**Does Wirral Rise accept LA-funded EHCP placements?**
Yes. We work with Wirral and other local authorities to support LA-funded placements for children with EHCPs.

**Where is Wirral Rise?**
143–145 Ford Road, Upton Village, Wirral, CH49 0XB — a calm, homely hub in the heart of Upton Village, nothing like a traditional classroom.

**What year groups do you support?**
Years 1 to 6, covering ages 5 to 11.

**Does Wirral Rise have qualified teachers?**
Yes. Our MDT includes qualified teachers, neurodevelopmental practitioners, a specialist Speech and Language Therapist, and a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). All provision is EHCP-aligned.

**What is Cookie?**
Cookie is Wirral Rise's resident therapy dog — a warm, gentle presence who helps children feel calm and settled from the moment they arrive.