Admissions

At The Haefen, we know that finding the right school for a child with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs can feel overwhelming.

Our admissions process is designed to be thoughtful, transparent, and centred on the individual child.

As a small, specialist SEMH school, we take time to ensure that each placement is right, for the child, their family, and our wider school community.

Who The Haefen Is For

The Haefen is an independent special school for children aged 5 to 11 (Years 1–6) who:

• Have an EHCP with SEMH identified as the primary area of need.
• Require a therapeutic and relational approach to re-engage with education.
• May have experienced trauma, emotional distress, or exclusion from other settings.
• Would benefit from small class sizes, consistent adult relationships, and specialist support.
• Have needs that cannot be met within a mainstream setting.

Our ethos is rooted in relationships, consistency, emotional safety, and personal growth.

How Admissions Work

All admissions to The Haefen are managed in partnership with Local Authorities.

Placements are requested through the Local Authority SEND team as part of the EHCP process.

Each consultation is carefully reviewed by our Senior Leadership Team to consider whether we can meet the child’s needs safely, sustainably, and effectively.

Our Admissions Journey

While every child’s journey is unique, admissions typically include:

• A review of the child’s EHCP and professional reports.
• Consideration of whether The Haefen can meet need and deliver EHCP outcomes.
• Open discussion with professionals already supporting the child.
• A low-pressure visit for the child and family where appropriate.
• In some cases, a short assessment placement to support decision-making and transition planning.

Decisions are never rushed. We prioritise long-term success over short-term solutions.

Partnership With Families

We believe strong outcomes are built on strong relationships.

Families are treated as partners throughout the admissions and transition process, and we aim to be:

• Honest about what we can and cannot offer.
• Supportive during what can be a challenging time.
• Child-centred in every decision we make.

Where The Haefen is not the right placement, we will always aim to explain our decision clearly and help signpost next steps.

Transition and Starting at The Haefen

Once a placement is agreed and named by the Local Authority, we work closely with families and professionals to ensure a carefully planned transition.

Further Information

Full details of our admissions arrangements, including statutory responsibilities and decision-making processes, are available in the Policies section of our website.