An SEMH Readiness Service for young people aged 13–16 who are not yet ready for mainstream education or alternative provision. Through boxing, mentoring, and structured engagement, we build the emotional readiness that makes everything else possible.
Champions Engagement Hub works with young people aged 13–16 who are not yet ready for mainstream school, alternative provision, or any other educational setting. These are the young people who have been excluded, are persistently absent, or are at risk of falling through the gaps entirely.
Young people who have been permanently excluded from school, or who are at serious risk of exclusion due to behavioural difficulties rooted in social, emotional, and mental health needs.
Young people who are not attending school, not engaging with existing provision, and for whom conventional approaches have not worked. They need something different before education can begin.
Young people with trauma backgrounds, anxiety, anger management difficulties, low self-esteem, attachment difficulties, or other social, emotional, and mental health barriers to learning.
Referrals accepted from: Schools, Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), local authorities, SEND teams, social workers, youth offending teams, Virtual Schools, educational psychologists, and CAMHS / MHST (where appropriate). Any professional working with a young person who needs Champions can make a referral.
• Aged 13–16
• SEMH needs where engagement / routine is the primary barrier
• Able to participate in structured group coaching with risk controls
• Parent / guardian consent in place
• Acute crisis requiring constant observation
• Active high-risk violence that cannot be safely managed in a coaching setting
• Serious weapon / gang risk requiring specialist secure provision
• Medical restrictions preventing participation (unless adapted plan agreed)
• Placement restrictions prohibiting community attendance
Important: Placements are subject to assessment and risk review and are not guaranteed. The referring agency remains responsible for statutory education arrangements and oversight during attendance. Unity Support & Housing Group Ltd does not provide accredited education or qualifications.
The Champions Engagement Hub is not a school, not a PRU, and not a behaviour unit. It is a readiness service — designed to build the emotional regulation, trust, routine, and self-belief that a young person needs before any formal education or training can take hold. We do not provide accredited education or qualifications.
Structured boxing training provides discipline, focus, physical outlet, and respect. It gives young people a reason to turn up, a structure to their day, and a framework for building self-control and confidence.
Boxing is the hook — engagement, routine, and emotional growth are the outcomes.
Every young person is assigned a dedicated mentor who builds a trusting relationship, provides consistent support, and works on emotional literacy, coping strategies, and goal-setting.
Relationship-first support from adults who understand SEMH needs.
A consistent daily and weekly timetable that provides stability, predictability, and purpose. Sessions are designed to gradually extend attention, build attendance habits, and introduce structure without the pressure of a classroom.
Small groups. Consistent staff. No overwhelm.
Targeted work on emotional regulation, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, and communication. The aim is to get a young person to a place where they can engage with learning — whatever form that takes next.
We build readiness. Education follows.
Every placement starts with a conversation. We take a phased approach that meets the young person where they are and moves at their pace — not ours.
A professional makes a referral by contacting us via email or phone. We gather initial information, speak with the young person and their family, and assess whether Champions is the right fit. We aim to respond to all referrals within 5 working days.
The young person visits the Hub, meets their mentor, and begins to build trust in a low-pressure environment. The first sessions focus on rapport, understanding the young person’s interests, fears, and triggers, and introducing the daily routine gently.
Regular attendance at boxing sessions, 1-to-1 mentoring, and group activities. The timetable is built around the young person, gradually increasing in structure, responsibility, and challenge as they are ready. Progress is tracked against emotional and behavioural milestones, not academic targets.
When the young person is ready, we work with the referring agency, school, or local authority to plan a supported transition back into education, training, or further provision. We do not just discharge — we ensure the next step is right and supported.
The Champions Engagement Hub fills a critical gap in SEMH provision for young people who are not ready for any existing setting. We work with the young people that other services cannot yet reach.
The Engagement Hub provides a community-based, boxing-led readiness service that bridges the gap between disengagement and education. We work with young people aged 13–16 referred by schools, PRUs, local authorities, and social workers.
Whether you’re a school, PRU, local authority, or social worker — if you have a young person who needs Champions, we want to hear from you. Every placement starts with a conversation.