Paws for Thought Therapy Care Farm - Alternative Provision

Paws for Thought Therapy is a Care Farm in Sutton near Woodbridge. We are a registered small holding nestled in seven acres with donkeys, sheep, various breeds of goats, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs.

We welcome children ages between 8-16 years of age to our alternative provision. Referrals can come from anyone. Education Professionals, Schools, Therapists, Local Education Authority, Parents or Home Education.

I have a team of three adults with a wealth of experience working with children and teenagers with emotional & social issues, anxiety, mental health difficulties, learning difficulties, behavioural problems, looked after children and child carers too in educational and care settings.   

We work on a ratio of 1:3 and have spaces available. The children will be working in two teams with qualified staff throughout the day, working with feeding, cleaning, grooming and playing with the animals as well as gardening, tree planting, growing produce, cooking light meals and baking. We also offer other activities like arts and crafts, trampolining and nature walks and bug hunting. Members of my team are qualified art therapists. The days will be as busy or as restful as each specific child would wish for!! We would happily welcome 1:1 support staff with children too if there is a need or requirement. Our ethos is to make learning fun and support individual minds! Everyone is different so in a world where you can be anything you can be kind and nurture!!  

We operate term time only on a half termly basis (6/7 weeks) or children attend longer depending on the child's needs or likes, for example three terms etc. Our day will start at 9:30am and finish at 2:30pm. Our opening days will be Mondays-Thursdays. We are open to 8-16 year olds, covering social, emotional and mental health difficulties like anxiety as well as learning difficulties, behaviour problems, young carers and looked after children. All staff have a wealth of up-to-date training, including safe-guard training, prevent, FGM, first aid and food hygiene. All members of staff have experience working with children with the above mentioned difficulties but in various settings.

All of the animals are mine and my children’s pets and have been on site for a long time. They are used to children and adults and have a regular routine they will happily share with other children and teenagers. All animals whether it be a sheep, donkey, goat, chicken or guinea pig are all well behaved and love have new friends to visit.  One of our dogs is a verified therapy dog and the other is his apprentice!