HANNAHS in Ivybridge is launching a Step Centre - a therapy and assessment centre for children who need to step out from school.

Headteachers will be able to refer in to the Step Centre against referral guidelines and children will be able to access a flexible provision which can include individual days, blended placements or week blocks. The core offer is on a cost-effective daily rate and is inclusive of support for a sensory programme, support assistant, speech and language therapy sessions.

The Step Centre is based in a specially adapted centre on the Ivybridge site which is independent of the main school. Children will have access to resources such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing support, rebound, hydrotherapy, music therapy and others are available at an hourly rate. Set in a relaxed and friendly venue, the centre sets out to offer a calm, nurturing environment in which a child can access the level of support they need.

Hannahs head of education, Chris Freestone said: ‘Hannahs at Ivybridge is launching the Step Centre, a unique therapy and assessment centre, which offers the opportunity for children who need to occasionally ‘step out’ from mainstream primary school to have an individual and unique level of sensory support. Speech and language therapy is included and will give children with their schools and families the time to review and reassess their needs.’

Hannahs has been enriching the lives of children and young people for nearly 250 years. One of the UK’s oldest charities, Hannahs is dedicated to empowering children, young people and adults with a range of disabilities. They are committed to challenging societal beliefs surrounding disabled people with the aim of making disability incidental.