County Durham teenager ‘thriving’ after alternative provision education

Like Ashton, Chloe, 17, from County Durham, also hated school.

Her mum Nicola first noticed she was struggling when she went to secondary school.

“I’d go in at 09:00 and I’d be sent home for 09:15, just because I didn’t want to be there,” she said.

It took about six months for Chloe to attend Empowher.

Her mum said for weeks her daughter would get ready to leave the house, then anxiety would take over and she could not leave.

Once she was diagnosed with autism, she started to understand herself and why going into school was making her sick.

At alternative provision, Chloe gained a Level 1 qualification in beauty therapy, as well as English and maths. She was also helped to get her first job in a salon.

“It’s just so much more calm,” Chloe said. “You’re not in uniform waiting for the bell to go to your lesson, you’re just literally walking in, going into the room and it feels so much better.”

She is currently studying her Level 2 beauty therapy and is going to college in September.

Her mum said Empowher was the best thing that could have happened to her daughter.

“I’m really proud of her and it’s a relief to see how well she is doing with her mental health and everything,” she said.

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