Challengers has expanded its alternative provision (555 Service) to a new site in Guildford to support the growing number of disabled children left without a school place in Surrey. On Friday 23rd May, we invited key Surrey figures to celebrate the official launch of the service and hear more about the issue we are trying to address.
Already successfully operating in Farnham for over a decade, Challengers’ 555 Service is an alternative provision which offers vital support for disabled children who are out of education – either due to a shortage of school places or schools being unable to meet their needs.
This is a particular issue in Surrey, where there are more than 400 children and young people (May 2025) with additional needs currently without an appropriate educational placement. The issue stems primarily from an insufficient number of specialist school places and inadequate support within mainstream schools, resulting in high rates of exclusion.
The new 555 site in Guildford caters to younger children – a decision made after discussions with Surrey County Council, who shared that there are children as young as 5 with additional needs who have no school place despite having an EHCP in place.
The launch event
The official launch event was attended by local council members including Surrey County Councillors Catherine Powell and Fiona Davidson, High Sheriff of Surrey Peter Cluff, and Challengers Patrons Michael More-Molyneux, the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, and Rachel Morris MBE PLY. Guests heard from Challengers CEO Gen Dearman, as well as Challengers parents whose children have been excluded from school. This was followed by a tour of the facility and a chance to meet the children who are currently being supported.
The event was also attended by the BBC, who covered the story on BBC South today television news, BBC Radio Surrey (featured at 07:36) and the BBC online.
One Challengers parent Selina, whose son Chase is autistic and has not been allocated a school placement, shared her experience with the group.
“Chase was meant to go to school in September 2024 and I was told there were no places available for him. He’s meant to be going into Year 1 in September 2025, but they’re saying there are still no school spaces available. It is so stressful and mentally I have gone through hell and back, fighting to try and get him into school. He has a right to be in school, and no one will take accountability.”
Alarmingly, children with SEND are more than twice as likely to be excluded, often due to unmet needs rather than disciplinary issues. In addition, the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) issued in Surrey (where we operate our service) continues to rise significantly, further exacerbating pressures on already strained resources.
Unlike school, Challengers’ 555 Service is uniquely focused on helping children maintain an essential routine, developing their confidence and social skills, and providing essential respite for their families. Critically, as a charity we commit to never exclude a child based on their needs, even if these are multiple and complex.
Young people can access our 555 Service for up to three days per week during term time, and the length of stay is dependent on how quickly the local authority can find a suitable school placement. We work alongside parents, education providers and social workers to provide a bespoke support plan for each young person, and develop strategies to enable future facilities to appropriately support them.
Gen Dearman, Chief Executive Officer of Challengers, said:
“Across Surrey, too many children with additional needs are falling through the gaps in the education system. Going to school is a right for every child, and it’s heartbreaking that so many of them – especially disabled children – are being denied this. As a charity working closely with families whose children have been excluded from school, we are seeing an increasing number of families in complete crisis. Our expanded 555 Service provides support and respite for these families, offering their children a safe, nurturing environment where they can thrive, and where our trained staff can prepare them for a successful return to school.”
Councillor Fiona Davidson, Chair of Surrey County Councils Children, Families, lifelong Learning and Culture Select Committee who attended the event, added:
“It is truly shocking that in an affluent county like Surrey in May 2025, there are 30 children under the age of 16 requiring specialist provision who still do not have a school place who should have started in September. There are also 380 other Key Stage Transfer children with an EHCP who still do not have a place for September 2025. It is a measure of Challengers’ deep commitment to SEND children and their families that they have expanded the 555 Service. I am so proud to be associated with such a caring, inclusive, and constructive organisation, and this nurturing developmental service, but as Gen says, it is not a substitute for the education that the children attending 555 should be having. They should be in school.”
Learn more about our 555 Service and how we’re supporting disabled children who are out of education and their families.