Welcome

We are an established and sought after Alternative Provision specialising in re-engagement, successfully working in partnership with BCP, Dorset and Wiltshire Councils delivering a variety of exciting and engaging programmes to young people and families.

Our core aim is to ensure all young people are ready for a smooth transition into the next stage of their own personal life journey, whether this is a return to mainstream school, specialist provider or a post 16 placement.

Personalised Learning Dorset work hard to ensure young people have the resilience, confidence and correct support to be a success.

About Us

At Personalised Learning Dorset we recognise the need for quality provision to support young people, families and referrers. We are a close team of experienced professionals with a wide range of skills and knowledge. Underpinning everything we do is a passion and desire to support young people so that they have the chance to reach their full potential.

Established in 2018 and based from our modern, purpose built Blandford Hub, PLD have worked with young people across Dorset and the surrounding counties with the core aim of supporting those who, for a wide range of reasons, have found themselves disengaged with mainstream education and in need of quality mentoring and guidance.

We are not a replacement for school - our service works to support young people to return to a formal education setting or placement. Staff at PLD work closely with other professionals to ensure that specific goals are identified and met in a timely fashion.

To find out more, please get in touch - we would love to hear from you.

"We are incredibly proud of what we have accomplished at Personalised Learning Dorset.

Our experienced and committed team go over and above to ensure the amazing young people who attend our service get the best experience possible.

We welcome visits to our Hub in Blandford, Dorset where you will have the chance to find out more, speak to staff and explore our wonderful site."

Phil Stephens, Director

Services & Provision

Services and Provision

Our Alternative Provision is more than just re-engagement, it comprises of mentoring and guidance, physical and mental wellbeing sessions, ASDAN, Functional Skills, emotional literacy and life skills, all interwoven to ensure a comprehensive package of support for the young people we work with.

Read on to find out more about our

re-engagement, mentoring and wellbeing programmes.

"The support, care and patience Phil and his team have shown to Ellha has helped her to be school ready after so much time away, and we are truly grateful that she had such an incredible place to attend while waiting for a school."

Lauren - Parent

Re-engagement

At PLD we understand how vital it is for young people to be in some form of education or training. As a re-engagement service our goal is to do everything we can to make that possible.

As well as ensuring our programmes have a strong focus on positive wellbeing and social development, we are an approved ASDAN centre, able to deliver a range of courses to suit each young person we work with.

We know every pathway is different and we work hard to build a package of support with all parties to maximise the chance of successful re-engagement.

Mentoring & Guidance

At points in all of our lives we need someone to talk to when things start to feel overwhelming.

All our staff are highly trained and experienced mentors who offer a caring and professional service to the young people they support.

At the heart of everything they do is a desire to ensure all young people get the right personalised support to succeed.

"The work they have done with a young person I support has been invaluable. He has grown in confidence and has been able

to find the skills to communicate

his wants and needs since

starting at PLD.

He went through some turbulent moments where his only stability was The Hub, without this things may have been very different."

Personal Advisor for BCP

Wellbeing

We believe in making sure that young people are given the chance to understand the benefits of healthy living and the importance of taking care of themselves both

physically and mentally.

All young people at PLD have an assigned Key Worker and access to a range of support tailored to their individual situation and needs.

Where we work

Where we work

Situated in Blandford Forum, the PLD Hub is a modern, purpose built space comprising of open, airy and modern work areas designed to make the young people we support as comfortable as possible.

Read on to find out more about the PLD Hub and how we work in the community.

The Hub

In addition to dedicated Sensory, Music and ELSA support rooms, The Hub also benefits from a kitchen and Art area, as well as having two large, flexible work spaces with computer access.

In the home

& the community

At PLD we understand that attending a new setting can occasionally be overwhelming, especially if a young person has spent periods of time out of education.

We work with young people at home and in the community to allow them to feel confident and comfortable during their time at PLD.

"Not only did PLD support Ryan

to overcome a number of

personal barriers, but they also supported Ryan to be ready for

his new school, which he is

now thriving in.

We are very thankful for the

support received in this

transition process."

Keith - Parent

Testimonials

Why choose us?

Don't just take our word for it, see what our service users and referrers say about our work.

"I would thank PLD for the excellent support they have given my son.

The improvement in his emotional well-being and confidence are a reflection of their hard work and understanding of the needs of young people.

I’m truly grateful."

Mrs Taylor - Parent

“The staff at Personalised Learning Dorset are so friendly and helpful. They are fantastic at working

with challenging and vulnerable young people to create a personal learning experience completely suited to them.

Thank you to all!”

Mrs Rogers - Carer

"Working with a young teenager for whom mainstream school is no longer an option, PLD have stepped in to provide a valuable and viable alternative.

Their staff have shown a flexibility and dedication to provide a caring environment, with opportunities for practical task based work, alongside more curiosity led and artistic activities."

Social worker - Dorset

“PLD offered our child support, flexibility and understanding at a time when it seemed that there was no-one that could understand the obstacles in the way of him engaging with an educational setting.”

Mr and Mrs Allard

"PLD helped our son to regain his confidence after a significant period out of education. He achieved more than we could ever have hoped for with a personalised program tailored to his needs.

The staff put the pupil at the centre of every decision they make, and we can't thank them enough for what they have helped him to accomplish."

Mr and Mrs Wellstead

"I was really surprised that I had everything I needed on my doorstep in Blandford. After a site visit, I was very impressed with the safe, bright and happy learning environment at Personalised Learning Dorset and the levels of experience and expertise of the staff."

Headteacher

Gallery