Our Programmes
Future Roots, a care farm based at Rylands Farm, West Dorset has been developing programmes and opportunities for young people and families since 2008. It was set up by Julie Plumley a registered social worker with a background in farming and who brings over 20 years’ experience of working with teenagers and families in the Dorset area.
We have active referral pathways with schools across Dorset, South Somerset, Bournemouth and Poole.
Future Roots have contracts and service level agreements with over 20 schools across Dorset and Somerset. We also work in partnership with both local authorities through the following Frameworks:
- Dorset Alternative Provision Framework Ranked List
- The Dorset Families Matter framework.
- Dorset Short breaks framework.
- Somerset Holiday Activity Framework.
Other grant funded programmes:
- Primary Base – Nurture Through Nature Primary Programme (8 years-11 years)
- Rural Remedies programme (8-13yrs).
- Future Plus – Post 16 pathway.
- Pre-Intern Programme.
- Supported Internships.
- Ambassador’s Programme.
- Potters Garden – 18+ project.
- Future Roots Ambassadors.
- Community Farm Visits.
Future Roots positively engages with between 90 and 115 young people each week.
We understand that successful commissioning needs to be responsive. While we hope you find the information you need here on our website, we would also encourage you to contact us about your students’ needs.
Future Roots can accept referrals from any registered school or local authority, provided the young person is on roll. We work in partnership to compliment the curriculum as part of a re- engagement or therapeutic programme to enhance young people’s opportunities and achievements. Parents can contact us to discuss referrals.
We operate an inclusive environment where INCLUSION means offering opportunities and environments where a young person can learn and develop positively without feeling marginalised. We work in partnership with schools and with young people if they are experiencing challenges that prevent them from reaching their potential within traditional educational settings.
Quality Standards
We are a member of Social Farms and Gardens, which provides our quality assurance, and also hold a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge. Future Roots is registered with Ofsted, and we have experience of receiving Ofsted visits as part of a school’s alternative provision.
All our programmes are overseen by a registered social worker and all our mentors are qualified to at least Level 3. Supervision sessions for staff are an integral approach to our work and happen on a regular basis and are supported to ensure active partnership working with the referrer. This includes attending reviews whenever possible, eg EHCP, PEP reviews.
Who We Can Support
We have a strong track record of working with individual young people with:
- Social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.
- Behaviour issues including aggression, anger and anxious school phobias.
- Medical conditions.
- Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
All the young people we work with are at risk of, or have been, excluded from school or do not attend school due to anxiety. Most are considered at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Employment, Education and Training).
Each programme is designed to build both emotional resilience and re-engagement with education. More details of our results can be found on the impact page,
Our Programmes
All our programmes take place at our 30-acre farm. The farm is recognised as a safe space by young people and includes:
- Outdoor spaces with a variety of animals and plants.
- Indoor spaces for one-to-one and small group sessions.
- A demonstration kitchen.
- A workshop.
- Accessible toilets.
