Emily's Academic Journey with Keys Education Support

Byron* is a young person facing challenges with emotional dysregulation and social, emotional, and mental health needs. He shows signs of autism and has experienced abandonment and developmental trauma, which have had a profound impact on his growth and wellbeing. Byron has also been involved in various safeguarding concerns. Communication has been a significant struggle for him; when expressing his feelings and frustrations, he sometimes resorted to inappropriate behaviours, including spitting and aggression, and occasionally required intervention for his own safety.

At Audley, the team recognised that building strong, trusting relationships with a small group of adults would be key to helping Byron reach his potential. Adam*, a dedicated member of the team, took on the role of Trusted Adult for Byron. Through this close and consistent support, Adam has helped Byron develop his communication skills and confidence, and he is now making remarkable progress.

Audley’s approach combines individualised support, small class sizes, and a highly experienced staff team. Byron benefits from therapeutic input, such as Speech and Language Therapy, which has enabled him to grow into a more confident learner who can express himself positively. He learns in very small classes with a consistent group of peers, in an environment carefully designed to minimise overstimulation while remaining welcoming and warm. As a result, the need for physical intervention has significantly reduced, with incidents now far less frequent and of shorter duration.

Byron has developed a love for learning, particularly enjoying history—especially the Great Fire of London. He says: “I like the outdoor days and I like art and maths too. The outdoor days are better in the summer when it’s warm, but I like them in winter too.” He also values the school’s rewards system and ‘golden time’, finding these structures and consistent boundaries a source of motivation. With the supportive framework of positivity, trust, and respect, Byron is now thriving as a learner.

*Name has been changed to protect identity.