First Steps Together Group

At First Steps Together Group, we operate as an expanding multidisciplinary provider dedicated to specialist education, therapeutic children's residential care, and tailored transport services. Our mission is built on helping young people with complex educational, social, emotional, and neurodivergent needs grow, thrive, and fulfil their potential in environments where they are understood, respected, and celebrated.

Who We Are

Headquartered in Manchester and operating across Greater Manchester, Tameside, and Derbyshire, our organisation brings together passionate educators, therapeutic practitioners, residential support teams, and passenger assistants. We work in close partnership with local authorities, safeguarding teams, and families to deliver joined-up, person-centred support for children and young people.

What We Do

We deliver an integrated suite of specialist education, residential living, and dedicated transport solutions:

• Specialist Independent Schools: Providing tailored learning environments and bespoke curricula (including the "Learning Meets the World" curriculum) designed specifically for neurodivergent learners and pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.
• Specialist Children's Residential Homes: Delivering safe, therapeutic, and consistent residential care environments designed to help young people heal, develop self-regulation, and gain independence.
• Specialised Assisted Transport Service: Operating our own dedicated fleet of minibuses staffed by trained Passenger Assistants, replacing stressful long-distance commutes with predictable, calm, and emotionally supportive school journeys.
• Integrated Therapeutic Support: Incorporating speech and language therapy, positive behaviour support, and emotional literacy frameworks directly into everyday school and home life.

Our Approach & Values

• The ACTIVE Framework: Living by our core principles of being Authentic, Creative, Together, Inclusive, Vocal, and Empowering across all decisions and interactions.
• Individualised & Holistic Care: Recognising that no two learners or young people are the same, tailoring every academic plan, care package, and routine to individual strengths and needs.
• Lived-Experience Leadership: Grounding our governance and operational strategies in genuine understanding, family collaboration, and advocacy for neurodivergent individuals.

Industry Role

We operate as an Integrated Specialist Education and Children's Social Care Provider. Our role is to act as a vital community partner, supplying high-quality schooling, residential infrastructure, and specialist transport to transform outcomes for vulnerable and neurodivergent young people.