About us
Built by practitioners, for the young people who fall through the gaps.
RESTA has established a developmental framework that places relationships, safety and emotional wellbeing at the centre of educational re-engagement — and RESTA AP puts it into practice.
Our story
Simplicity is the strength.
RESTA began with a straightforward observation: children who have become disconnected from education do not need to be managed differently — they need their development to be understood in order.
Safety, then connection and belonging, then identity, then autonomy, and finally a future worth planning for. That order is not an administrative convenience. It is how recovery actually works.
RESTA AP takes that framework and makes it deliverable: structured session plans, learner workbooks, embedded accreditation and reporting that a school or Local Authority can rely on — without losing the relational practice that makes it work in the first place.
Our ambition
To become the recognised developmental Alternative Provision offer in the UK
— so that more children and young people can successfully re-engage with education.
Our foundations
Developed from the RESTA Framework
A Foundation Built on Educational Psychology
Dr Esther Borrett
Educational and Child Psychologist
Founder of RESTA
Founder of Brimstone Psychology
RESTA Alternative Provision is proud to have been developed using the RESTA Framework, an evidence-informed approach created by Dr Esther Borrett, Educational and Child Psychologist and Founder of RESTA.
Drawing on many years of experience supporting children, young people, families and schools, Dr Borrett developed the RESTA Framework in response to the growing number of children experiencing barriers to education, including Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), trauma, anxiety, social, emotional and mental health needs and unmet additional needs.
The framework recognises that meaningful learning can only take place when children first experience safety, connection and belonging.
Rather than asking:
“What’s wrong with this child?”
the RESTA Framework encourages professionals to ask:
“What has happened to this child, what do they need, and how can we create the conditions for them to thrive?”
These principles sit at the heart of everything we do at RESTA Alternative Provision. Our development model has been developed to bring the RESTA Framework to life through personalised, relationship-led support delivered within homes, schools and community settings.
By combining evidence-informed practice with compassionate development, we help young people rebuild confidence, reconnect with education and move towards positive futures.
We are proud to acknowledge Dr Esther Borrett’s vision and expertise, which continue to shape the values, philosophy and practice that underpin RESTA Alternative Provision.
National recognition
Built on an Award-Winning Foundation
The RESTA Framework, developed by Dr Esther Borrett, has received national recognition for its contribution to educational psychology, trauma-informed practice and improving outcomes for children and young people.
RESTA Alternative Provision is proud to build upon this evidence-informed and nationally recognised framework, translating its principles into personalised development and alternative provision that helps children and young people reconnect with education and achieve positive futures.
This recognition reflects the strength of the framework that informs our practice and our commitment to delivering high-quality, relationship-led support.
What we hold to
Our values
- Safety
- Nothing before this. Physical, emotional and relational.
- Consistency
- The same adult, the same expectations, every session.
- Curiosity
- Ask what happened, not what is wrong.
- Dignity
- Young people are participants in their plan, not subjects of it.
- Evidence
- If it mattered, it should be visible.
- Ambition
- Safety is the start of the story, not the end of it.
Curriculum development
Sophie Caparn, Director of Education and Curriculum Development
Sophie leads the development of the RESTA AP curriculum, bringing experience in Alternative Provision, curriculum design, school leadership and programme development. Her work covers practitioner session resources, learner workbooks and portfolios, AQA accreditation mapping, pilot implementation, quality assurance and partnerships with schools and Local Authorities.
Safeguarding & assurance
Safeguarding sits at the centre of everything we deliver. Our safeguarding policy, designated safeguarding lead details, DBS status, insurance and AQA centre information are available to any school, Local Authority or family on request while this site is in development.
Part of the Brimstone family
Developed with Educational Psychologists
RESTA AP is part of Brimstone Psychology, an Educational and Child Psychology practice. The RESTA framework was developed with Brimstone's Educational Psychologists, and our Specialists are supervised by an Educational Psychologist. Where a young person needs it, we can also draw on Brimstone for independent Educational Psychology assessment and consultation.
Visit Brimstone PsychologyWork with us.
Whether you are commissioning provision, referring a learner or exploring a partnership, we would like to hear from you.