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Specialist online SEND mentoring for young people who find engagement challenging
Quest Mentoring provides specialist online SEND mentoring for neurodivergent young people aged 8 to 24. We use interests, including gaming, to reduce the demand of meeting someone new and create a route into development.
A flexible, reportable provision
One-to-one and small-group online mentoring
Individual mentor matching and low-demand delivery
Session records, attendance and engagement tracking
Termly progress reporting linked to agreed outcomes
SENCOs
EOTAS coordinators
SEND teams
Early Help teams
Social care
Use the young person's needs and tolerance for engagement as the starting point
The provision is designed for neurodivergent young people who may find unfamiliar adults, formal sessions or conventional education challenging to tolerate. The starting point is the young person's existing interests and preferred way of communicating.
Quest Mentoring may be suitable
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The young person is autistic, has ADHD or has other SEND needs.
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They are disengaged from education or ordinary services.
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Anxiety makes face-to-face or formal support uncomfortable.
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They experience social isolation or low confidence.
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They need support with communication, regulation, teamwork or independence.
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They respond well to gaming, technology, creativity or another strong interest.
Where we can add capacity
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Low Engagement
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Anxiety and non-attendance
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ADHD, Autism, Demand Avoidance
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Social isolation
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Confidence and regulation
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Readiness to progress
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Personalised outcomes
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Skillsbuilder supported
Relationship first, then progressive challenge
A mentor begins at whatever level of interaction the young person can manage. Activities develop as trust grows, so progress is built with the young person rather than imposed at the start.
Start with what is familiar
The mentor uses existing games, interests, routines and communication preferences to reduce initial demand.
Build on a trusted relationship
Careful mentor matching creates a consistent connection based on personality, interests, needs and relevant experience.
Introduce purposeful challenge
The mentor gradually introduces collaborative tasks, new activities and structured experiences linked to agreed goals.
Review and adapt
Session evidence and professional feedback inform ongoing changes to pace, structure and developmental focus.
Preferred supplier
West Sussex County Council
Ages 8 to 24
Personalised around developmental stage
Entirely online
Accessible across local authority areas
Safeguarded delivery
Enhanced DBS and trained mentors
Safeguarding and delivery controls
Safer recruitment
Mentors complete an enhanced DBS check, provide two references, attend a structured interview and complete Quest Mentoring onboarding before working with young people.
Ongoing oversight
Mentors hold current safeguarding training, receive monthly supervision and work within formal policies covering child protection, online safety, data protection, incident reporting and professional conduct.
A straightforward route from referral to delivery
Initial discussion
Share the young person's circumstances, strengths, interests, barriers and intended outcomes.
Provision design
Quest Mentoring proposes a suitable format, frequency, initial approach and reporting arrangement.
Approval and matching
Once funding is confirmed, a mentor is selected for relational and practical fit.
Delivery and review
Provision begins at low demand, then develops through evidence, feedback and regular review.