Superhero Harry Is Launched into Space

On World Autism Day 2025 Hugi celebrates the superhero's amongst us!

Watch as our Hugi Hub Superhero Harry is launched into space on a digital screen to raise Autism awareness and show us how his Autism affects him!

Harry attends Hugi Hub Alternative Provision where he will tell you that he loves Hugi !

We interviewed Harry's Mum and this is what she had to share......

What is the best way to start discussing a potential timetable with AP with someone in school?.

I would personally speak to Senco of your child’s school and raise your concerns and ask the school for their input. I would go to your local authority. I would search for local AP provisions in your local area, although some do not meet your child needs, I would seek advice from friends and family or other parents whose children may have attended in previous years. I would suggest families fight for AP if suitable for their child as it can be difficult.

How has alternative provision helped your child?

My child has been attending his AP Hugi Hub in Sheffield for almost 6 months. The provision has done nothing but support his needs and more, my child started his AP after suffering from Emotional Based School Avoidance, anxiety and has a primary need of Autism Spectrum condition. When my child first started his behaviour was heightened due to not being in full time education for 12 months, he was very dysregulated, he found transitioning times really challenging too. After 6 months of hard work and dedication from all the staff at Hugi’s he has come out of his shell and works really well with his own age of peers, he is confident and thriving and achieving. The AP itself works extremely hard to meet the needs of children with complex neurodisability conditions, and offer support for families and caregivers throughout.

Would you give any advice to other families considering AP.

My advice would be that I would highly recommend Hugi Hub! Look around each provision that you are aware of and ask as many questions as possible, make sure that they can meet needs and that you are happy before making any decisions.

My experience looking around Hugi Hub was that all staff are really friendly! No questions felt silly to ask anything I was unsure about. I'd felt comfortable asking, I had taken my child to visit the setting and my child was really happy and asked when he could start!. Which proves that the place was really suitable. All the staff could not have been better.

Has AP been a good choice for your child?

100% YES !

My child has done nothing but thrive, he is very happy and safe which any family or caregiver would want. ALL staff have been a part of my child's journey. They have all taken the time to get to know him as well as the family, they work endlessly to make sure that both child and family are being supported, no question goes unanswered, nothing ever too much of them. My child has had a difficult start to education and now he attends Hugi’s he is not only achieving the thriving, he's happy and making friends !!!. In the words of my child “ I never want to leave Hugi’s”.

Any other comments.

Unfortunately there is not a lot of talk about AP or what an AP is. More schools and other authorities do need to make families or caregivers aware that this is also considered an option. For some children like my child mainstream was not an option. I think schools need to also consider that AP is not failure, it is to consider what is right for that child.

I think families of children who are struggling to access full time education due to complexities should be given a choice of AP, it should not be down to any school or authority to deny a child right to education.

I believe the process of accessing an AP needs to be reviewed and the process needs to be changed. LA and schools need to be more transparent. The process of trying to get a place at AP is long winded time consuming and can be incredibly difficult for families and caregivers.

If a child is to attend AP, the child schools should still hold responsible duty of care for the child and should maintain close relationships with the chosen AP and families. It should not be down to AP to take on full duty of something they should not be doing unfortunately in certain cases it is.

AP can have a very positive impact on a child's education, if you find the right provision, lucky for us we have and now my child is getting everything he needs and more which is all down to its provision staff and team leaders and Tracy Rodgers.

Thankyou

Harry's Mum

If you would like to know more about how we can support your child we would love to discuss this with you.