A Year in Review at OCEM: Milestones, Resilience and Achievements
2024 has been a fantastic year for OCEM.
Our tutors’ dedication has positively transformed the academic careers and lives of many SEMH children. We have seen significant milestones reached and stories of resilience and achievement consistently throughout the year.
We’ll be sharing all of it right here, so that you can continue to be a part of our journey. We’d also like to share in our wins as a thanks for your continued support and as a celebration of all that we’ve achieved.
OCEM’s biggest win
We’ve achieved wins across the board this year - with students, local authorities, tutors and for the communities we operate in. But our students’ wins are our favourite, by far.
Our tutors have consistently delivered amazing results. Their tailored approach and unwavering resilience have given our students the self-confidence and academic tools to live up to their capabilities. We win the moment the child recognises they’re safe with us and begin integrating back into education and society. We have students taking exams that they never entertained the thought of before. With our tutors' support, disadvantaged children are discovering who they are, what they want in life and how to get it.
The wins can be day-to-day. When a child is late, hungry or tired—and our tutors become that positive force that turns it around. We win when our mental resilience reflects onto the child and they become more regulated. It really is a group effort, like a jigsaw. From tutors to managers, and teachers to local authorities. The trophy goes to the microcosm of people who make a positive difference.
A standout story
One of the most inspiring transformations this year is Sophie’s* story.
Sophie was taken into care and dealing with pretty severe mental health struggles. She’d arrive late, display unfavourable behaviour and dismiss our initial attempts to help. Her previous school told her she’d never go back to mainstream education.
Like most SEMH children, Sophie’s behaviour was largely an unregulated reaction to her surroundings and experiences. It took patience, persistence and a nurturing approach for her to begin to trust us. That trust was the turning point. She opened up more each day, started asking questions and realised that she could achieve her goals if she allowed herself to try.
Her hard work - and ours - paid off. She eventually secured a place at a local school. A big ‘take that’ to those who didn’t believe in her, but more importantly, something Sophie should be incredibly proud of. Now in Year 9, she’s preparing for her GCSEs and settling in with new friends.
*Named changed for privacy and safeguarding reasons
Achieving bids with local authorities
A major highlight this year has been our success in winning bids for local authorities. By carefully crafting and refining our bids, we’ve secured places on provider lists in new areas. Competing as a small organisation against larger ones makes this achievement even more rewarding.
We have brilliant managers who work wonderfully with local authorities by finding the right tutors for the right child at the right time. They’re really hard workers. Without their expansive knowledge and real dedication to getting it just right, our progress would’ve been a lot slower. They have been essential to our success and deserve recognition for all they’ve done.
Expanding into new locations allows us to support even more young people. Everything we do is for them.
Our approach to success
Trust, safeguarding and flexibility. The three main ingredients in dealing with SEMH children.
When students feel safe, seen and supported by adults who genuinely care, their mindset shifts from fight or flight to curiosity and intrigue. They begin to believe good things about themselves that have always been true—they've just never felt capable, worthy or heard.
Once they realise that we’re on their side, they begin to cooperate with the idea of education. We then ease them into core curriculum activities. They start to reflect our modelled behaviour and feel empowered to take charge of their own journey. Actions always speak louder than words—especially when working with children. The impact of our work extends to families and communities. Seeing children open up and find fulfilment in school takes a huge burden off heavy shoulders.
Something lovely that we didn’t expect is the response to working with our students in their local community hubs. It’s become an organic process to build informal relationships with the communities we work in by just being OCEM. We’ve started sharing a culture of ideas and inspiration for parents and carers all around. It’s a great reward for everyone to recognise that a child isn’t just capable, but thriving.
Goals for 2025
We’re reflecting with gratitude on a brilliant 2024. What’s in store for 2025 at OCEM?
One thing’s for certain; we’re sticking with our approach. It works and it got us this far. We’re positive it’s our secret ingredient to our success.
Expanding our reach is a key priority. We want to grow into more local authorities and their neighbouring communities, so we can support even more young people.
It’s the small, consistent efforts that lead to lasting change. Looking back, we’ve already come so far. We’re excited to see how much further we can go.