Children Ahead offers children and young people with
learning and emotional difficulties a wraparound package
of specialist intervention and support.
We also work with families and schools to help them create
and sustain supportive environments for children.
Our Story
Children Ahead is the tale of two organisations, both setting out in July 2010.
One led by parents with first-hand experience of children with learning difficulties; the other launched by a group of educators and school governors whose
students struggled to access the support they needed, locally.
Situated around the corner from each other in Hackney, North London,
neither knew about the other. Each was determined to find a solution to the growing numbers of Orthodox Jewish children with learning difficulties facing barriers accessing mainstream provision.
What happens when the two organisations cross paths?
They meet. And meet again. They put their individual legacies aside
to explore community needs and discuss shared organisation goals
and ambitions. They consider financial sustainability, staffing,
strategic aims and governance models.
In February 2013, they formally join as one
organisation to become a force for greater good.
Since then, Children Ahead has changed the lives of over 6,000 children and their families.
It’s a privilege to be a mentor at Children Ahead. The boy I mentor has lost
his father and it’s thrilling to see his eyes light up each week as he chooses
his activity. It’s a vital opportunity for him to get away from his challenging
life. I also learnt to be more sensitive and attuned to the needs of
vulnerable children.
E.L, Mentor
Our Core Values
Putting Children First
Placing children at the heart of all services helps them own their
journey of growth.
Giving Voice
Advocating for children’s needs and giving them a voice, ensures they can access the services and resources they are entitled to.
Working Together
Internal collaboration, as well as with parents, schools and other voluntary and statutory organisations, achieves the best outcomes for children.
Intervening Early
Supporting at an early stage means
we avoid problems escalating.
Aiming Higher
Setting ambitious goals for the children bolsters their belief in themselves.
Delivering Excellence
Having outstanding qualified practitioners deliver only recognised and high-quality interventions is the way we can ensure consistent positive outcomes.
Building Inner Confidence
Our ‘child-centered approach’ means we build a network of supportive
people, therapies, and services around each child. The goal is always
to build the child’s belief in himself.
Helping schools
to create the
best environments
for learning and wellbeing.
Giving parents
tools to empower
their child.
Setting goals and helping the child reach them through therapies and other services.
Setting goals and helping the child reach them through therapies and other services.
Helping schools
to create the
best environments
for learning and wellbeing.
Giving parents
tools to empower
their child.
It’s not just that I’m able to join conversations during break time and
class discussions. It’s that I’ve become a different person since working
with Shana every week. And in a good way. I know who I am and I know
what I’m good at.
Miriam, 11
How do we know we’re successful?
We use the GO system, our bespoke 5- point
progress-rating tool to track each child’s growth.
94% show significant progress in a 12-week
intervention block.
We were very unsure about sending Yoni to Children Ahead for help.
We worried about yet another programme with endless sessions, endless
time and no real progress. Then the therapist explained their GO system to
us - Yoni would get targets and we would be able to track his development with tangible outcomes. We felt so relieved and empowered that this was
a journey we could join, track, and really get Yoni the help he needed.