A Mentor Who
Gets Your Child
Every student is matched with a dedicated mentor who shares their interests and understands their needs. Sessions are built around what motivates them — because engagement is where learning starts.
Refer a StudentWhat a Session Looks Like
No two sessions are the same, but here's the typical structure.
Arrival & Warm-Up
The mentor greets the student and checks in on how they're feeling. No rush. If they need a few minutes to settle, that's fine. The session starts when they're ready.
Main Activity
The bulk of the session is spent on a gaming or tech project tailored to the student's plan. This might be building in Minecraft, coding in Roblox Studio, or working through a digital skills challenge. Learning objectives are embedded naturally.
Wrap-Up & Review
The mentor and student review what they achieved, celebrate progress, and preview what's coming next. Session notes are written up and shared with the referrer and family.
Our Mentors
The relationship between mentor and student is everything. We take matching seriously.
Passionate Gamers & Technologists
Our mentors genuinely love the platforms they teach. When they play Minecraft with your child, they're not pretending to care — they're building something they're excited about too.
SEND Trained
Every mentor is trained in working with SEND students. They understand ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and sensory needs. They know when to push and when to give space.
DBS Checked & Safeguarding Trained
Enhanced DBS checks, safeguarding training, and Prevent awareness. Your child's safety is non-negotiable.
Matched to Your Child
We don't just assign a random mentor. We match based on interests, personality, communication style, and the student's specific needs. If the match isn't right, we change it.
Gaming as a Learning Tool
It's not just play. It's the most effective engagement strategy we've found.
Minecraft
Maths through builds, English through storytelling, teamwork through co-op projects. The most versatile educational tool we've found.
Roblox
Game design using Lua scripting. Students create games that other people can actually play — real motivation for real learning.
Coding
From visual block coding in Scratch to Python and JavaScript. Students build projects they're proud of, not worksheets they dread.
Digital Creation
3D modelling, pixel art, video editing, music production. Creative outlets that build digital skills and self-expression.
We track progress through every session. Mentors document what was covered, what skills were developed, and how the student engaged. Half-termly reviews with the referrer ensure the plan stays on track and evolves with the student.
Digital Mentoring for Neurodivergent Young People
Ages 7 to 25+ — creative, tech-driven mentoring for children and young people with SEND, EHCPs, anxiety, or long-term absence from school.
Who Our Mentoring Supports▼
Our mentoring service is designed for learners aged 7 to 25+ with EHCPs needing EOTAS or Alternative Provision, young people experiencing anxiety, PDA, trauma, or sensory needs, school-refusers or learners out of school for medical or emotional reasons, those transitioning from PRUs, hospital schools, or awaiting placements, and Post-16 and 19-25+ learners building confidence and life skills.
Our Mentoring Approach in Detail▼
Every learner gets a consistent 1:1 relationship with a trauma-informed mentor. Timetables and session frequency are flexible and tailored to each learner's needs and energy levels.
We provide weekly session notes and half-termly progress reports to track development. Family collaboration is central — mentors support families through regular check-ins and are available for EHCP reviews.
All mentors are DBS-checked and follow Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidelines. We have a Designated Safeguarding Lead at every venue.
Digital Curriculum Pathways▼
Our mentoring sessions draw from a rich curriculum including Minecraft and Roblox Game Design, Unity, Unreal, and Virtual Engineering Projects, 3D Modelling, Animation and Digital Art, Creative Coding and Personal Projects, Enterprise and Independence Skills, and optional AQA Unit Award certification.
For learners interested in progression, we offer Minecraft modding with MCreator, YouTube editing and digital media, robotics and AI, and full game development pathways using industry-standard tools.
Fast Onboarding & Discovery Sessions▼
We offer free discovery sessions to meet mentors and explore fit. Intro videos or online meet-ups are available to reduce anxiety before the first session. Custom onboarding plans are created for learners with complex needs.
We typically start provision within 5-10 working days of referral. The focus is on getting the right mentor match and building trust from day one.
Delivery Options & Pricing▼
1:1 mentoring is available both online (nationwide) and in-person at our venues. Online and in-person 1:1 sessions are available for self-funded families at £40 per hour. In-venue small group sessions are available at £18.75 per hour (maximum 3:1 ratio).
Sessions are funded via EOTAS, EHCP, Direct Payments, school funding, or self-funded. We welcome referrals from Local Authority SEND teams, schools looking for mentoring as AP or EOTAS, and parents and carers using personal budgets or direct funding.
Mentoring FAQ
What if my child doesn't click with their mentor?▼
We take matching seriously, but sometimes it takes a few tries. If the match isn't right, we change it — no questions asked. The relationship between mentor and student is the foundation of everything we do, and forcing a poor match helps nobody.
How do you track progress?▼
Mentors document what was covered, what skills were developed, and how the student engaged after every session. These notes are shared with the referrer and family. Half-termly progress reports provide a broader view of development, and we contribute to EHCP annual reviews.
Can mentoring be combined with school attendance?▼
Absolutely. Many of our students are on reduced timetables and attend Player Ready for part of the week alongside limited school attendance. We coordinate with schools to ensure our provision complements what they're doing, not duplicates it.
What age range do you support?▼
We work with learners aged 7 to 25+. Our mentors adapt their approach for younger children (more play-based, shorter sessions) through to young adults (more independent project work, career-focused pathways). Post-16 learners can work towards NOCN accredited qualifications.
Find the Right Mentor
Tell us about the young person and we'll match them with a mentor who's the right fit.
Email alternativeprovision@player-ready.co.uk or call 0117 463 3150