How to Refer

Professional referral pathways for schools, local authorities and families.
Supporting young people through personalised vocational education.

At Pink Academy, we are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive and nurturing learning environment for young people who thrive in a smaller educational setting. We work closely with schools, local authorities, parents and carers to ensure each learner receives the right support and an individualised programme to help them achieve their goals.

Who Can Refer?

We welcome referrals from:

Schools and academies
Local Authorities
SEN Caseworkers
SENCOs
Alternative Provision teams
Virtual Schools
Social Workers
Early Help teams
Parents and carers (enquiries are welcome and may require approval from the relevant funding body)

Our Referral Pathways

Alternative Provision (Pre-16)We accept referrals for young people who would benefit from a personalised vocational programme alongside their current education. Placements may support learners experiencing:

Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)
Anxiety or low confidence
Autism or ADHD
Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs
Risk of exclusion or permanent exclusion
Low engagement with mainstream education
A need for a practical, hands-on learning environment

Programmes can include Beauty Therapy, Nail Technology, Employability Skills, Personal Development and, where appropriate, Functional Skills in English and Maths.

Post-16 EHCP Placements

We welcome enquiries for young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who are seeking a specialist post-16 vocational provision.

Each programme is tailored to the learner’s individual aspirations, abilities and support needs. Following an initial assessment, students may work towards recognised qualifications while developing confidence, independence, employability and industry-specific skills.

Our Referral Process

Where funding is required, we will work with the referring school or Local Authority to agree the placement and confirm start arrangements.

Get in Touch

If you are unsure whether Pink Academy is the right provision for a young person, we would be happy to discuss their individual needs before a referral is made.

Our team is always happy to answer any questions and provide guidance on the most appropriate referral pathway.

Once funding and placement arrangements have been confirmed, the learner will complete the enrolment process and receive all relevant induction information before their agreed start date.

Supporting Documents

Depending on the referral, we may request copies of:

● Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

● Recent school reports

● Risk assessments

● Behaviour support plans

● Attendance information

● Professional reports

● Safeguarding information (where appropriate)

Why Choose Pink Academy?

At Pink Academy, we believe every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed.

We offer:

● Small class sizes

● Individualised learning programmes

● Industry-experienced tutors

● A calm and supportive learning environment

● Vocational qualifications

● Personal development opportunities

● Employability skills

● Functional Skills (where appropriate)

● Strong links with schools, Local Authorities and employers

Our aim is to build confidence, develop practical skills and support every learner to progress towards further education, employment or independent adulthood.

Our team will review the referral and any supporting documentation. If further information is required, we will contact the referrer.

Step 1 – Submit a Referral

Complete the appropriate online referral form and provide as much information as possible to help us understand the learner’s needs.

Step 2 – Initial Review

Step 5 – Funding Confirmation

We will complete an initial assessment to determine the most appropriate learning pathway, support strategies and programme of study.

Step 3 – Initial Meeting

Where appropriate, we will invite the young person and their parent or carer to visit Pink Academy. This gives everyone the opportunity to meet our team, view our facilities and discuss the learner’s goals, interests and support requirements.