SEND sitting & holiday support

Time for you, with someone who takes the time to understand your child

Experienced childcare professionals with extra training in supporting children with additional needs, matched carefully to your child and your family's routines.

Talk to our SEND team See pricing

What “Specialist” means

Experienced professionals with added depth

Every Specialist professional holds a Level 3 qualification or above and has at least 6 years' hands-on experience working with children. On top of that, each brings extra depth in an area such as SEND support, communication and language, sleep or behaviour. Some have led nursery or school teams, and some hold a degree in their field.

Childcare professionals, not clinicians

Our Specialists don't diagnose, assess or deliver therapy, and they don't replace your child's NHS, school or private therapists. What they bring is experience, patience and practical know-how. If you'd like them to, they can follow the routines and strategies your child's therapists and school already use.

How a Specialist can support your child

Training you can see before you book

Each Specialist's profile lists the training they hold. Depending on the professional, their support may include:

Additional needs & neurodivergence

Understanding how autism, ADHD and other additional needs can shape a child's day, from sensory needs and transitions to routines and communication.

Training you may see: autism awareness courses, SEND or Supporting Teaching and Learning qualifications, a degree in Special Educational Needs.

Communication & language

Patient, play-based support for children who are building their speech, or who use visual aids or signing. This supports communication through everyday play. It is not speech and language therapy.

Training you may see: Makaton, PECS, Elklan.

Behaviour & big feelings

Calm, consistent responses to meltdowns, anxiety and changes in routine, using the approaches your family already knows work for your child.

Training you may see: Team Teach, positive behaviour support.

Sleep & daily routines

Help with settling, bedtime and wind-down routines, and everyday skills like toilet training, following the approach you've chosen for your child.

Training you may see: accredited sleep consultant courses.

If your child has specific medical needs, such as medication or epilepsy, we'll talk them through with you before we suggest a match.

How it works

Matched to your child, not just your time slot

Get in touch

Tell our SEND team a little about your child and what you're looking for.

We get to know your child

We talk through their needs, routines, triggers and what helps them feel safe.

We suggest a match

We introduce a professional whose experience fits, and where we can, we bring the same familiar face back each time.

Safely recruited

Every Little Village Co professional has

An Enhanced DBS check
ID and right-to-work checks
Two satisfactory references
Paediatric first aid training
Safeguarding training
Regular welfare and safeguarding check-ins

Pricing

Clear, upfront pricing

From £31.50 per hour

plus a £3 booking fee per booking · 3-hour minimum booking

SEND sitting is privately funded by families.

Extra support

Looking for council-funded support too?

Every local authority publishes a Local Offer, a directory of services, short breaks and support for children and young people with SEND. It's a helpful place to find extra support alongside private sitting.

Find your local offer

Talk to someone who gets it

Have a question about your child's needs, or how sitting would work for your family? Our SEND team is happy to talk it through, and to tell you honestly whether a Specialist is the right fit.

Email us directly: sen@littlevillagevcgroup.com