Coming Autumn 2026

Young Futures is a strengths-based, small-group programme designed specifically for autistic and ADHD teens, and those with related neurodivergent profiles, who are at risk of exclusion, currently home educated, attending alternative provision, or struggling in mainstream settings.

The programme will build identity, confidence, independence and practical life skills at a critical developmental stage, reducing isolation and improving long-term outcomes, and is designed for 13-15 year olds.

Across North Yorkshire, families of neurodivergent young people report increasing anxiety, school refusal, exclusion, and limited access to appropriate preparation for adulthood support. Many teenagers experience social isolation, lack explicit teaching of “hidden curriculum” social and workplace skills, have low confidence due to repeated school-based difficulties, feel anxious about GCSEs, college, and future employment and have little opportunity to practise real-world independence in safe settings.

Scarborough in particular faces shortages of specialist SEND provision, and families often describe fragmented, reactive support rather than proactive skills development.

Without early intervention at 13–16, many neurodivergent young people enter late adolescence without the confidence, practical knowledge or self-advocacy skills needed to transition successfully into further education, employment or training.

Our Solution: Havenswood Future Makers

Havenswood Young Futures is a rolling, modular programme delivered in small, low-sensory groups by experienced SEND professionals.

The programme will be structured across three key strands:

  • Understanding Me

  • Real Life Skills

  • Future Thinking

The programme is practical, experiential and explicitly teaches skills that neurodivergent young people are often expected to “just pick up” but rarely do. Sessions will run weekly in small groups (6–8 young people), ensuring safety, predictability and relationship building.

What Makes This Different?

Havenswood Trust is developing a “village model” of holistic support, bringing together education, advocacy, pastoral care and family support under one coordinated approach.

Young Futures is not a standalone life-skills course. It is:

• Neurodivergent-affirming, not deficit-based
• Delivered by professionals experienced in SEND education and advocacy
• Connected to parallel parent support provision
• Focused on long-term outcomes, not short-term behaviour change
• Built around confidence, capability and identity

We teach young people to understand their brains, advocate for their needs, and translate their interests into meaningful futures.

OUR CHILDREN DESPERATELY NEED THIS KIND OF SUPPPORT AND HELP.

Please consider supporting Havenswood financially so that we can deliver quality programmes for those who really need them - even a small monthly gift would help. You can give via the button on our website.

Our longterm goal is to be able to offer all support free of charge.