Alternative Learning for All or ALFA (https://www.keyschildren.co.uk/education/alfa/), is Keys’ innovative, hybrid learning solution tailored to help children who face challenges in engaging with traditional education.
Whether through online lessons or in-person activities, ALFA adapts to each learner’s unique needs, helping them rediscover the joy of learning.
We offer learners a part-time programme ranging from 2-18 hours a week to re-ignite a love of learning. ALFA provides learners with offers of vocational learning, tutor-led sessions, adventurous activities or enrichment opportunities or a hybrid mix of all.
ALFA is ideal for learners who:
- Struggle with emotionally-based school non-attendance (EBSNA).
- Have faced exclusions or difficulties thriving in mainstream or specialist schools.
- Need a tailored learning experience due to anxiety, mental health challenges, or social/emotional needs.
- Have or are in the process of receiving an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
- We support children in Key Stages 2–5, with flexible programmes ranging from 2 to 18 hours per week.
Keys Group which ALFA forms a part of have delivered services to children and young people for over 20 years. Keys Group have over 24 registered specialist schools, plus over 140 registered children residential homes, supported accommodation services. Within Keys Group we also have over 100 adult services providing support to over 1,000 people with Mental Health needs, Autism, Learning Disabilities or Acquired Brain Injuries.
As part of our staff development strategy within the Keys group we take staff training extremely seriously. We have a core set of mandatory training for all staff to undertake as well as additional training courses to support with the bespoke person-centred needs of the people we support.
Keys Group also introduced Keys Connect in 2022 which is a model of trauma informed therapeutic practice developed from research and understanding about how adverse childhood experiences can impact upon the people that we care for, look after and support.
The costings for our offer is £995 + VAT per week per learner.
The offer can incorporate any combination of tutor-led sessions online and/or face-to-face as well as enrichment opportunities and in person adventourous activities to support in engaging the student in their learning. The aim is to re-engage the student into some form of learning/training/employment. The maximum number of hours the student can attend ALFA is 18 hours per week.
ALFA sits within the Keys Group https://www.keyschildren.co.uk/ , meaning that all our work is heavily focussed on engagement with young people and adults with additional needs, whether that be SEND, physical disabilities, visual impairments, hearing difficulties, ADD, Autism, Brian injuries and mental health conditions. On a daily basis we work closely with Virtual schools, primary and secondary schools, Multi academy trusts, Local authorities, Short break commissioners, Young carer services, Police, Youth Offending teams, Youth Groups, Sports Clubs and Corporate teams.