A Different Approach
Beyond the books: a holistic path to progress.
Expert SEND Lead & Therapeutic Educator
With over 25 years of expertise in the classroom and beyond, I founded A Different Approach (ADA) Tutoring and Therapy Services Ltd to provide a unique, holistic bridge between education and emotional well-being. My journey began in the classroom, achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in 1999, before moving into school leadership as a Qualified SENDCo in 2003 and Assistant Headteacher in 2019.
Why "A Different Approach"?
I chose this name because I have seen firsthand that for many learners, traditional environments—despite a school's best efforts to provide reasonable adjustments—can become a barrier to progress. My mission is to combine specialist tutoring with evidence-based therapeutic methods, creating bespoke pathways for learners who require a different approach to thrive.
Specialist SEND Toolkit & Evidence-Based Interventions
As a NASENCO-qualified Lead, I deliver High-Impact Section F Provision with a highly specialised toolkit of interventions designed to remove barriers to learning and meet the specific statutory requirements of an EHCP. From sensory communication to formal academic screening, ADA Ltd delivers the "small-step" progress that traditional settings often struggle to track.
- Accredited Therapeutic Pathways: Certified practitioner in The STILL Method® (Anxiety), LEGO® Based Therapy (Social Communication), and Drawing and Talking (Emotional Processing).
- Speech, Language & Communication (SLCN): Expert delivery of Intensive Interaction, Objects of Reference, PECS/AAC, Blanks Levels of Language, and Information Carrying Words.
- Neuro-Inclusive Strategies: Implementation of Zones of Regulation, Social Stories, Comic Strip Conversations, and bespoke Visual Schedules (Widgit/Visual Timers/Choice Boards).
- Specialist Academic Screening & Support: Initial Dyslexia, ADHD, and ASC screening; individualised Literacy and Numeracy programmes using specialist Dyslexia strategies and assistive technology.
- Tracking "Small-Step" Progress: We use the Birmingham Toolkit and PIVATS SEMH frameworks to provide the granular data required for Annual Reviews and high-needs funding oversight.
SEND Strategic Consultancy
At A Different Approach (ADA) Tutoring and Therapy Services Ltd, we provide expert consultancy to help Local Authorities and schools meet their statutory duties under the SEND Code of Practice and the Children and Families Act 2014. We are available for short-term "deep dive" projects, interim casework support during peak periods, or long-term strategic partnership work. We are registered on the In-Tend Portal and are compliant with all LA procurement and safeguarding standards.
Professionalism & Accountability
As a Limited Company, we are a trusted partner for Local Authorities, schools, private families, adults and care homes. We pride ourselves on rigorous professional standards, maintaining a comprehensive Provider Compliance Pack—including statutory policies, robust risk assessments, Enhanced DBS (update service), and specialist insurance—to ensure every session is safe, ethical and legally sound. Whether we are delivering EOTAS packages in the community or providing therapeutic support in schools, our focus remains the same: building the confidence, resilience, and skills needed for life.
Founder and Director Jennie Jepps
About A Different Approach Tutoring & Therapy Services Ltd
WHO WE SUPPORT
Local Authorities
When a child is unable to access a formal school setting—due to medical needs, severe anxiety, or a breakdown in their current placement— A Different Approach provides a robust, Section 19-compliant alternative. We bridge the gap with high-quality 1-to-1 or group tutoring, integrated if needed, with evidence-based therapeutic interventions. By addressing the "whole child," we increase the likelihood of successful reintegration into mainstream or specialist settings, reducing long-term placement costs. We design packages to be strictly part-time (under 18 hours) to ensure compliance with unregistered provision guidelines, or we work as part of a multi-agency split-timetable.We specialize in delivering bespoke packages for children and young people with or without EHCPs who require a different approach to learning.
Explore our full Local Authority Commissioning Framework for detailed service specifications
Schools/MATS
In an era of rising EHCP numbers and complex SEMH needs, ADA acts as a specialist extension of your school’s inclusion team. We believe that a child who is dysregulated, anxious, or traumatised cannot learn effectively. By integrating evidence-based therapeutic tools directly into our tutoring sessions, we create a safe space where students can heal while they achieve.
EBSA Specialist Support:
We work in the home or community to rebuild the "learning habit" and facilitate a phased, sustainable return to the school site.
Preventative "Circuit Breakers":
Intensive 1-to-1 placements for pupils at risk of permanent exclusion.
SEMH & SEND Provision:
Bespoke academic support for pupils with EHCPs whose needs require a low-arousal, highly flexible approach that mainstream environments cannot always provide.
Explore our Full Portfolio of Specialist School Support for more detailed information on our reintegration and intervention strategies.
PARENTS/CARERS/FAMILIES
We understand that for many children, the traditional approach to learning isn't working. Whether your child is home-educated, struggling with school refusal, or waiting for a specialist placement, we provide a safe, therapeutic bridge to progress .
- Support for School Refusal: If your child is unable to attend school due to anxiety or sensory overwhelm, we provide home-based or community-based tutoring that prioritises their emotional well-being while keeping their education on track.
- Private Tutoring with a Difference: If required, we combine academic learning with therapeutic tools to build confidence and remove the "fear of failure" often associated with formal education.
Explore our Detailed Guide for Parents and Carers to learn more about our 1-to-1 tutoring and therapeutic pathways for your child.
ADULT Therapeutic Support
At A Different Approach (ADA) Ltd, we believe that support for neurodiversity and emotional well-being shouldn’t end at the classroom door. We provide a calm, non-clinical space for adults to navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and rediscover their confidence. Meeting at home, in a community space or online, we work with young adults navigating the beginnings of independent living, those juggling stressful jobs alongside a busy family or private care homes and assisted living facilities to enhance the mental well-being and social engagement of residents through specialized interventions. Our services are mapped against the Care Act 2014 and CQC Fundamental Standards, focusing on person-centred outcomes.
Explore our Full Range of Adult Therapeutic Services for more detailed information on how we support wellbeing and cognitive engagement in care settings.