VAL'S Community Validate · Achieve · Live

About us

Our story & ethos

VAL’s Community exists to give children and young people with learning disabilities, diverse neurodevelopmental needs a continuing, enduring sense of belonging and a real childhood. Our brand is far more than a logo. It reflects our commitment to safeguarding, compassion and creating safe spaces where children can heal, grow and thrive.

We support children to feel understood, make meaningful progress and thrive with growing independence. This is achieved through two frameworks that work as one:

  1. 1.HEART in our homes
  2. 2.SHINE in our classrooms

Woven together around every child. Many of the children we care for communicate without words; our teams are trained to see behaviour as communication and to respond with patience, curiosity and warmth.

We want every young person to be the best they can be and to lead a happy, fulfilling life, whatever challenges they have faced.

Every young person is unique. Our role is to help them discover their potential, celebrate their achievements and develop the confidence to lead a fulfilling life on their own terms.

About us Our values

HEART in our homes · SHINE in our schools

HEART Residential Services

Our residential services are guided by HEART, shaping how we build relationships, provide care and create a place that feels like home.

HEART Values

H

Holistic Support

We take a whole-child approach, ensuring each child's care, education and emotional wellbeing work together so they experience consistent, coordinated support.

E

Empathy

We take time to understand each child's experiences and emotions, responding with patience, care and compassion.

A

Ambition

We support each child to set challenging goals, build confidence and develop a sense of achievement at their own pace.

R

Respect

We value every child as an individual, creating an inclusive culture where they feel heard, accepted and treated with dignity.

T

Thriving

We create the conditions for children to build independence, form friendships, enjoy daily life and look forward to their future with confidence.

SHINE Education Services

Our education services are shaped by SHINE, ensuring every child feels supported, engaged and able to succeed as a learner.

SHINE Values

S

Safe

We create a safe and supportive environment where children feel secure and able to thrive.

H

Happy

We make learning enjoyable, helping children feel settled, curious and engaged with what they are doing.

I

Included

We foster a strong sense of belonging, ensuring every child feels included and able to take part in the school community.

N

Nurtured

We build trusting relationships with every child, offering consistent encouragement so they develop the confidence to learn, grow and believe in themselves.

E

Empowered

We encourage independence, helping children make choices, develop their voice and take pride in their progress.

Our Clinical partners

Great clinical outcomes, built into everyday life

We deliver trauma-informed, strength-based clinical care that helps children in our residential homes and education settings make real, lasting progress. Our therapy is woven into the rhythm of each home and classroom, so support feels consistent, safe and part of daily life. Our multidisciplinary team brings together a range of therapies tailored to each child: psychological assessment and consultation, individual and group counselling using play, creative and talking therapies, speech and language therapy to build communication and connection, and occupational therapy to support sensory regulation and daily living skills. Alongside this, we equip care and teaching staff through reflective practice, supervision and training, with progress tracked through standardised outcome measures.

Our approach looks at the whole child, addressing the many layers that shape wellbeing:

  • Biological influences sleep, nutrition, sensory regulation, and stress physiology
  • People relationship building, attachment, peer influence, mentors and role models
  • Mental Capital executive functioning and trauma histories
  • Cultural factors socioeconomic gradient, belonging, and social attitudes
  • Environmental influences education, opportunity, and socioeconomic context

By addressing multiple layers simultaneously, we aim to strengthen each child’s “mental capital” and their cognitive and emotional capacity for growth and adaptation.

The difference shows: stronger emotional regulation, more secure relationships, fewer placement breakdowns and exclusions, growing independence and confident, well-supported teams around every child.

This is care lived through our values the golden thread that runs across everything we do.

HEART shapes our residential services (Holistic support, Empathy, Ambition, Respect, Thriving) and SHINE shapes our education services (Safe, Happy, Included, Nurtured, Empowered) helping every child to thrive.

Children gardening together outdoors with a caring adultChildren playing with wooden building blocks

About us

Parents support

EHCP Guidance

If your child has been identified as having special educational needs, you may have heard the term EHCP. You are not expected to navigate this alone there is free, independent support available, and we have included links below.

What is an EHCP?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people up to 25 which describes:

  • your child’s special educational needs,
  • the support they need to meet those needs, and
  • the outcomes you and your child want to work towards.

Because it is a legal document, the local authority has a duty to provide the support set out in the plan.

Who is it for?

An EHCP may be right for a child or young person whose needs cannot be met by the support normally available in school. Many children are supported well at “SEN Support” level without ever needing an EHCP a plan is for those with more complex needs.

How do you get one?

The first step is an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. You do not have to wait for the school to start this a parent, young person (16+), or the school can ask the local authority for an assessment.

A rough idea of the timescales:

  • The local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to carry out an assessment.
  • If they agree, the whole process assessment, draft plan, and final plan should be completed within 20 weeks.

If the local authority says no, you have the right to ask for a review or to appeal and the support services below can help.

Where to get free, independent help

You don’t have to be an expert. These national organisations offer free, confidential advice:

  • GOV.UK Special educational needs (SEND): The official starting point, covering EHC plans, your rights and the assessment process. Overview · Extra help and EHC plans
  • IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice): Free, legally-based advice on EHC needs assessments, plans and appeals. ipsea.org.uk
  • Your local SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service): Every local authority has one, offering free, impartial advice to local families. Find your local service
  • Contact for families with disabled children: Information, a free helpline and a community of other parents. contact.org.uk
  • SOS!SEN: A national charity offering free, independent advice and support on special educational needs. sossen.org.uk

A few words of reassurance

The SEND process can feel overwhelming at first, especially with so much new language. Take it one step at a time, keep copies of letters and emails, and don’t hesitate to lean on the free support services above they exist precisely to help parents like you. Our team is also here to talk things through whenever you need us.

Parents and staff meeting together for supportive conversation