Welcome to Compass SEN Support

Support for families. Meaningful SEND work for people who care.

Whether you are looking for practical SEND support for your child or exploring a role with Compass, this page explains what we offer, how it works and what happens next — before you decide whether to register.

Find out about Compass as a family Become part of the Compass team

Choose your Compass route

What would you like to find out about?

These are the two main routes on this page. Each one explains what Compass offers, how it works, what is included and what happens if you decide to continue.

Parents, carers and families

Find out about Compass as a family

This route explains both the free side of Compass and the personalised support journey. You can understand the service properly before deciding whether to create an account.

What Compass can help withCommunication, learning, emotional regulation, independence, routines, play, participation and community confidence.

What you receive around a bookingA family account, child information, goals, a support plan, practitioner matching, session records, feedback and ongoing review.

How you stay involvedCompass can recommend the support level, but families are part of the decisions and can discuss what feels right for their child.

What you can use for freeParent Academy, Knowledge Centre, resources, practical tools, games, community content and wider SEND information.

Explore the family journey

People who want to work with Compass

Find out how to become part of the Compass team

This route explains what the roles actually involve, current pay and progression, the onboarding checks, how work is organised and what Compass provides once you are approved.

Three clear practitioner levelsAssistant SEN Practitioner, SEN Practitioner and Senior SEN Practitioner, with responsibilities matched to experience and evidence.

Structured onboardingPersonal details, emergency contact, payroll information, right to work, DBS, qualifications, references, policies and declarations are brought into one process.

A proper Staff AppSchedule, availability, sessions, children linked to current work, messages, resources, payslips, compliance, handbook and onboarding status.

Current launch focusFamily, home and community SEND support first. School supply is not the focus of this advertising route right now.

Explore joining the team

Find out about Compass as a family

More than booking someone for an hour.

Compass is built as one connected SEND journey. Families can use the public information and resources freely, then choose personalised one-to-one support if and when it becomes useful.

When a family does book support, Compass is intended to organise the work around the child rather than simply sending somebody to the door. The aim is to understand the child, agree what support is trying to achieve, match the right practitioner level and keep a record of what happens.

Your family stays involved. You know your child. Compass brings structure, planning and practitioner support around that knowledge rather than replacing it.

Use Compass before paying

The public Compass site is designed to be useful in its own right.

Parent Academy learning
Knowledge Centre guidance
Printable and practical resources
Games and child-friendly activities
Community information and stories

One joined-up family journey

Your child’s support does not have to be reinvented at every booking.

Family account and child information
Strengths, needs and priorities
Goals and support plan
Session notes and feedback
Review and next steps

Support matched to need

Not every child needs the same practitioner level or the same kind of session.

Everyday support
Targeted SEN support
Advanced teaching and support
Recommendations explained to the family
Support can change as needs change

Family choice remains important

Compass can assess the information and recommend what it believes is appropriate without pretending the family has no voice.

Discuss recommendations
Ask questions before booking
Consider practitioner profiles
Review whether the support is working
Raise feedback or concerns

What Compass can support

Clear detail about the support families can actually ask for.

The cards below explain what each area means in practice, rather than only giving you a label.

Communication

Helping a child understand, express and connect

Communication support is not limited to spoken language. Compass can work around the way the individual child already communicates and the situations they find difficult.

What this can include

Understanding instructions and everyday language
Choices, requesting, turn-taking and shared attention
Visual supports, symbols, signs or AAC where these are already appropriate for the child
Vocabulary, conversation and confidence communicating with other people

How Compass approaches it

The practitioner follows the agreed plan, records what helped and feeds back so useful approaches can be repeated consistently rather than changed every session.

Learning

Teaching at a pace and in a style the child can access

Learning support can cover academic skills and functional learning. It should feel purposeful, not like reproducing a classroom that was already difficult for the child.

What this can include

Phonics, reading, comprehension, spelling and writing
Number, money, time, measuring and practical maths
Prepared communication or curriculum activities
Using interests, visuals, games, movement and real-life tasks to make learning meaningful

What the family receives

Learning priorities can be built into the support plan, with session observations and progress recorded so activities can be adjusted rather than repeated blindly.

Emotional wellbeing

Support around regulation, anxiety, overwhelm and change

The aim is not to punish behaviour or force compliance. Compass looks at what may be making a situation difficult and uses calm, planned support around the child.

What this can include

Preparation for transitions and changes
Recognising signs of overwhelm
Calm routines and recovery after difficult moments
Confidence, participation and reducing avoidable pressure

How it is reviewed

Practitioners record relevant observations and concerns so Compass and the family can look for patterns and refine the agreed approach.

Independence & routines

Building everyday skills in manageable steps

Independence looks different for every child. The focus is on realistic, useful skills that increase confidence and participation without rushing the child.

What this can include

Following routines and visual schedules
Making choices and completing familiar tasks
Mealtime routines and basic functional skills within Compass service boundaries
Preparing for community activities and everyday responsibilities

Why it helps

The same goal can be practised across real situations, with progress noted and the level of prompting adjusted over time.

Play, interests & community

Learning and confidence through meaningful activity

For some children, the most productive support does not begin at a desk. Interests and enjoyable activities can create opportunities for communication, confidence, learning and social participation.

What this can include

Interest-led play and shared activities
Turn-taking, waiting and participation
Supported community outings and experiences
Practising money, travel awareness, communication or social confidence in real contexts

Planning matters

Community activities should still have a purpose, agreed expectations and appropriate safety planning rather than simply being treated as a trip out.

Family partnership

Keeping parents and carers part of the support

Compass is not designed to shut families out once a practitioner arrives. Family knowledge is part of understanding what works, what has changed and what should happen next.

What this can include

Clear session feedback
Questions and updates through Compass
Reviewing goals and the support level
Coordination with school or other professionals where this is agreed and appropriate

If something is wrong

Compass has routes for feedback, concerns, incident reporting and management oversight so a problem is not simply left with the individual practitioner.

Everything around family support

What families get from the Compass journey.

The hourly session is only one part of the service. The surrounding planning, records and family access are what make support joined up.

Free SEND information firstParent Academy, Knowledge Centre, resources, games and practical guidance remain available whether or not you book paid support.

Secure Family accountA place for the family journey rather than relying on scattered messages and repeated explanations.

Family Passport / child profileStrengths, interests, communication, routines, sensory needs, priorities and other important information can be brought together.

Goals and personalised planningSupport is organised around what the family and Compass are trying to achieve rather than an undefined session.

Practitioner level matchingCompass considers whether everyday, targeted or advanced support is appropriate for the work requested.

Practitioner informationFamilies can understand the role and level of the person delivering support rather than receiving an unexplained match.

Session preparationThe plan, relevant child information and agreed activities can be reviewed before the practitioner delivers the session.

Session notes and observationsWhat happened, what worked and anything requiring attention can be recorded after delivery.

Family feedbackFamilies have a structured route to say how support went and raise questions or concerns.

Progress trackingAchievements and changes can be reviewed over time so the programme is able to develop.

Key Worker / management oversightWhile Compass is a small team, Director / Manager oversight connects planning, quality, safeguarding and communication.

Clear safeguarding routesConcerns and incidents can be recorded and escalated through Compass rather than being treated as informal messages.

How we work with families

What happens from first look to ongoing support.

The family can understand the stages before creating an account.

Explore Compass first

Use the public site, read about the service and decide whether the approach feels suitable.

No pressureUse free content first.

Understand the offerRead support levels and boundaries.

Choose when readyRegistration comes after information.

Create the Family account

Registration opens the secure family journey so information can be collected once and organised properly.

Parent detailsYour account and contact information.

Child informationWhat Compass needs to begin understanding the child.

Secure accessReturn to the same journey rather than starting again.

Help Compass understand your child

Strengths, interests, communication, routines, support needs, goals and family priorities are brought together to give the work context.

Plan and recommend the support level

Compass reviews the information, identifies the kind of work required and may recommend an Assistant, SEN or Senior SEN Practitioner level. The reason should be explained to the family.

Match and confirm the practitioner

The practitioner is chosen according to the support required, their experience and suitability. The agreed support and booking details are confirmed before delivery.

Deliver, record, review and improve

The practitioner follows the plan, records the session and provides feedback. Compass can then review progress, concerns, achievements and whether the plan or level should change.

Family support levels

Three practitioner levels, with the surrounding Compass journey included.

The level changes the depth and complexity of practitioner expertise. The planning, records and family partnership around the work remain part of the Compass approach.

Assistant SEN Practitioner

Everyday Support

£37.50 per hourcurrent family rate

For children who need support to participate in everyday activities and follow an agreed Compass plan.

General supervision and wellbeing support
Play and interest-led activities
Routines and transitions
Basic communication and independence support
Prepared literacy, maths or communication activities
Observation, session recording and family feedback

Compass prepares the plan; the Assistant Practitioner delivers and records it.

SEN Practitioner

Targeted SEN Support

£47.50 per hourcurrent family rate

For children who need targeted developmental, educational, communication, regulation or independence work.

Everything within Everyday Support
Targeted literacy, maths and communication work
Sensory and regulation strategies
In-session adaptation
Independence and social participation goals
Detailed progress recording
Agreed EHCP-linked work where appropriate

The practitioner delivers targeted work within the personalised Compass plan.

Senior SEN Practitioner

Advanced Teaching & Support

£57.50 per hourcurrent family rate

For higher-level teaching, complex SEND programmes and more advanced delivery and review.

Everything within Targeted SEN Support
Advanced curriculum and functional learning
Complex SEND programme design
Advanced EHCP-linked delivery and adaptation
Comprehensive progress review
Leadership of more complex delivery
Informed refinement of the programme

The Senior Practitioner can lead complex delivery and help refine the programme.

Compass recommends. Families discuss and decide.

After reviewing the child’s goals and needs, Compass may recommend a different level or explain that more than one option could be suitable. The reasons are explained and the family remains involved in the final decision.

Important current service boundary

Compass is currently promoting educational, developmental, activity-based and community SEND support. This advertising route is not offering regulated personal care, nursing or clinical services.

No intimate or regulated personal care
No administration of medication
No medical procedures or clinical treatment
No specialist lifting or hoisting care
No replacement for emergency or statutory services
Any activity must stay within the service, practitioner competence and agreed support plan

Become part of the Compass team

Meaningful SEND work with structure around you.

Compass is looking for compassionate, dependable people with relevant SEND, education or support experience. At this launch stage, this route is focused on family, home and community support rather than pushing new staff straight into school supply.

The aim is not to send staff to a booking with a name and postcode and hope for the best. Compass is building the onboarding, child information, plans, booking details, communication, records and management routes around the practitioner.

Being part of Compass means responsibilities too. Safeguarding, accurate records, professional conduct, reliability and following the agreed plan matter just as much as being friendly with children.

Calm Corner Ideas — create safe, calming spaces to reset and relax

Clear role progression

Three practitioner levels make responsibilities and expectations easier to understand.

Assistant SEN Practitioner
SEN Practitioner
Senior SEN Practitioner
Evidence reviewed before final role confirmation

Flexible availability

The system includes availability so staff can show the days, times and working limits that apply to them.

Full-time, part-time or sessional possibilities
Working days and times recorded
Confirmed sessions visible in schedule
Changes handled through Compass rather than informal guesswork

Your work organised in one place

The Staff App brings the practical parts of working together.

Schedule and bookings
Availability
Session delivery and records
Messages and urgent support
Resources and policies

Proper onboarding before work

Compass checks readiness rather than treating recruitment as only a CV upload.

Right to work
DBS information
Qualifications and experience
References
Policies, declarations and signed requirements

Roles, responsibilities and pay

Know what each Compass role actually means.

These are not just different job titles. The level reflects the depth of SEND work the person is expected and evidenced to deliver.

Entry practitioner level

Assistant SEN Practitioner

£14.50 per hourincreasing to £15.50 after six months and successful completion of probation

Everyday support role working from an agreed Compass plan. Best suited to people who can provide reliable, safe support and follow prepared activities without being expected to design complex programmes independently.

Everyday participation and routines
Play and interest-led activities
Basic communication and independence support
Prepared literacy, maths or communication activities
Session observation and accurate recording
Family feedback
Escalating concerns or changes rather than improvising outside the plan

Compass prepares the plan; the Assistant Practitioner delivers it, records what happened and raises anything that needs review.

Experienced targeted-support level

SEN Practitioner

£19.00 per hourincreasing to £20.50 after six months and successful completion of probation

For practitioners able to deliver targeted SEND work with more independent judgement during the session.

Everything within the Assistant role where relevant
Targeted literacy, maths and communication work
Regulation and independence support
Safe adaptation during sessions
Detailed progress recording
Agreed EHCP-linked work
Relevant SEND experience or recognised qualifications expected

The role requires safe person-centred practice, strong recording and the ability to deliver targeted support competently within the agreed Compass framework.

Advanced practitioner level

Senior SEN Practitioner

£25.00 per hourincreasing to £27.50 after six months and successful completion of probation

For substantial SEND experience and evidence of advanced teaching, complex support or programme leadership.

Everything within the SEN Practitioner role where relevant
Advanced curriculum and functional learning
Complex SEND programme design and delivery
Comprehensive progress review
Advanced EHCP-linked delivery and adaptation
Leadership of more complex work
Higher-level planning and documentation

Final title and pay are confirmed after evidence review. Advanced qualifications or specialist evidence, safeguarding judgement and leadership capability are expected.

What Compass provides staff

Detailed tools and support around the actual work.

Once approved, the practitioner is not meant to manage bookings, records, policies, pay and communication from random messages on their own phone.

Staff App

A phone-friendly Compass workspace for the practical parts of being a practitioner.

Home screen and profile
Schedule and bookings
Availability
Sessions and linked children
Staff tools and records

Clear booking information

Confirmed work should arrive with the information needed to know where you are going and what you are doing.

Date and time
Location and relevant contact information
Child / booking context as authorised
Agreed support details
Any required pre-session information

Child and support-plan context

Practitioners should work from the agreed Compass information rather than inventing a programme at the door.

Relevant child information
Strengths and support needs
Goals and agreed approach
Prepared activities where appropriate
Clear limits on what the booking includes

Messages and urgent support

The Staff App includes communication routes for normal updates and when something changes.

Messages with Compass and authorised family contacts
Running-late updates
Session-change requests
Phone Hub for sickness, bookings, safeguarding and urgent support
Video-call access through secure Compass Messenger where used

Wages and payslips

Approved payroll records sit within the staff system so pay information is part of the same working environment.

Approved pay records
Payslip access
Bank and payroll details collected through onboarding
Role/pay level connected to evidence review

Compliance and policies

Readiness is visible rather than being buried in an inbox.

DBS and right-to-work information
Qualifications and experience evidence
References
Mandatory policies and acknowledgements
Staff handbook
Onboarding status

Resources for delivery

Staff can access SEND resources and plans rather than relying entirely on whatever they personally bring to a session.

Support plans
SEND resources
Prepared learning materials where appropriate
Quick SEND abbreviation reference
Compass guidance for the role

Professional profile and availability

Compass can present approved practitioner information to support appropriate matching.

Public practitioner profile within the Compass system
Experience and qualification summary
Published availability where enabled
Positive feedback can support the practitioner profile under Compass rules

What Compass asks from staff

The systems only work if the person delivering support uses them properly.

Be dependable and attend confirmed work as agreed.

Read the relevant support information before delivery.

Follow safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR and conduct requirements.

Stay within your role, competence and the agreed support plan.

Record sessions accurately and promptly.

Raise concerns, incidents or changes rather than hiding them.

Treat children and families with dignity and respect.

What staff should expect from Compass

Compass should provide enough structure for practitioners to understand their work and know where to go when something changes.

A defined role and confirmed pay level after evidence review.

A structured onboarding and readiness process.

Relevant booking information and support context.

Access to the Staff App, schedule, records and resources.

Routes for messages, lateness, sickness, safeguarding and urgent issues.

Management oversight instead of leaving difficult decisions entirely to the practitioner.

Clear records of approved work and payroll information.

How to become part of the Compass team

A proper joining journey before anyone is cleared for work.

Registration starts the process; it does not automatically mean somebody is approved to work with children.

Read about the roles and decide whether Compass fits

Understand the family/home/community focus, practitioner levels, responsibilities and pay before creating an account.

Create a Staff account

This opens the secure staff journey and gives Compass a single place to connect onboarding, documents and future work.

Complete personal and employment details

Onboarding gathers the information needed for employment and safe working.

Personal detailsContact and identity information.

Emergency contactWho Compass can contact if necessary.

Payroll detailsBank, tax and related information.

Complete compliance and evidence checks

Right-to-work evidence, DBS information, qualifications, relevant experience and references are reviewed. Staff also complete required policy and declaration steps.

Compass reviews suitability and confirms the role

The evidence is used to decide whether the person is clear for work and which practitioner title/pay level is appropriate. Registration alone does not bypass this review.

Use the Staff App and begin suitable work

Once approved and clear for work, staff can manage availability, see confirmed work, access support information, deliver sessions, record outcomes, communicate and access payroll records through the Compass system.

Launch-stage work advertised here

This landing page is currently intended to grow the family support side first. The emphasis is home and community SEND support while Compass builds real experience and demand. It is not being used to push new applicants directly into school-supply work at this stage.

Read enough and ready for the next step?

Choose the correct account only after you understand the route. Registration begins onboarding; it does not force a booking or automatically approve a staff applicant.

Want to explore the wider Compass site?

Visit Compass SEN Support for the full Knowledge Centre, Parent Academy, resources, games, services and company information.

Visit the full Compass website