Early Steps SEND Consultancy

Rooted in South Tyneside, Supporting Your Little Learners as They Take Their Early Steps

Our Services

A colour-matching activity being used outdoors in a forest school setting. A hand is holding a circular colour wheel with different coloured sections and pegs clipped around the edge, each holding natural items such as leaves in matching colours. In the background, a young child wearing a pink outfit stands near ribbons tied to branches. The centre of the wheel reads “What colours can you find?”, encouraging children to explore nature and match colours they find outside.

Laura Hanson

Hello, I'm Laura Hanson, founder of Early Steps SEND Consultancy.

I am a qualified teacher, Early Years SENCO, and Designated Safeguarding Lead with a Master's degree in Education and a background spanning education, safeguarding, family law, policing, and family support services.

My experience includes working within nurseries, primary schools, alternative provision, and specialist SEND settings, supporting children and young people with a wide range of additional needs. Alongside my consultancy work, I currently work within an alternative provision supporting children and young people up to the age of 16, including those accessing Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) packages.

I have extensive experience supporting children with autism, ADHD, speech, language and communication needs, social, emotional and mental health difficulties, sensory processing differences, anxiety-based school avoidance, and complex behavioural needs. I work closely with families, schools, early years settings, and multi-agency professionals to develop practical, child-centred support strategies that improve outcomes.

My current role includes supporting the implementation of EHCPs, SEND Support Plans, personalised learning programmes, Positive Behaviour Support plans, and ongoing dynamic risk assessments to ensure children can safely access education in a way that meets their individual needs. I am trained in both Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) and Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA).

Through Early Steps SEND Consultancy, I provide professional, practical, and compassionate support for children, families, nurseries, schools, and childminders across South Tyneside and the wider North East. Whether supporting early identification, school readiness, nursery transitions, EHCP processes, inclusion planning, safeguarding, or alternative educational provision, my aim is always to help children access the right support at the right time.

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, and I am passionate about helping families and professionals make that happen.

Laura x

Early Steps SEND Consultancy • SEND Support • Early Years Inclusion • SENCO Support • EHCP Advice • SEND Consultancy • Inclusion Reviews • SEND Audits • Parent Support • Qualified SENCO • EYFS Support • Early Intervention • Inclusive Practice • Supporting the North East • Professional SEND Advice • Best Outcomes for Children • Nursery & School Support • Observation & Reports • Child-centred Support • SEND Code of Practice • Independent Consultant • Supporting Little Learners • EOTAS • Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) • Alternative Education • Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) •