What’s On at KO-NEKT

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At KO-NEKT, we support children and young people (age 5 to 25 years) with Additional Support Needs — no diagnosis required.

Our services are delivered in group settings at our centres, or out in the community through one-to-one or two-to-one support.

We champion the rights of all children and young people to be the best they can be, fully included in the heart of their communities. From play-based activities to life skills development and emotional wellbeing support, we offer a wide range of in-centre and community-based opportunities that help each young person grow, connect and thrive.

Additional Support Needs (ASN) covers a wide range of circumstances where a child or young person may need extra help to learn. This can include learning difficulties or disabilities, neurodivergent conditions, social, emotional, or behavioural challenges, long-term or short-term health issues, and experiences such as being a young carer, experiencing trauma, or learning English as an additional language.

Why Choose KO-NEKT?

In 2024, 40.5% of pupils in Scottish schools were identified as having Additional Support Needs (ASN), a figure that has more than doubled over the past decade. This increase reflects greater awareness, improved recognition of diverse needs, and changes in how support is identified. ASN can affect many aspects of a child or young person’s life, including school attendance, safety, educational attainment, and overall social and economic wellbeing.

As these young people move into adulthood between the ages of 18 and 25, they may face new challenges such as mental health difficulties, barriers to social inclusion, and limited access to appropriate support. While many aim to work and live independently, the transition to adulthood can be a particularly stressful period, with the potential for increased anxiety and uncertainty.

This places additional strain on public, private and third-sector services, revealing the limitations and unsustainability of traditional support models.

It’s clear: a change is needed.

KO-NEKT is unique in its approach, challenging the conventional ways of providing support. We think outside the box, offering innovative and flexible solutions tailored to the individual needs of each child and young person.

Our centres are closely connected to local communities, providing a diverse range of activities and peer experiences that cater to each individual’s age, needs, and developmental stage. Through positive and safe play, we aim to promote personal growth, boost confidence, and build resilience. Our focus is on enhancing mental, physical, and social development, fostering inclusion and participation, and helping young people develop the daily life skills they need to become more independent.

Ready to Get Started?

Complete our short form and a member of our team will be in touch soon to chat about how KO-NEKT can support your child or young person.

Click Here

KO-NEKT’s ethos is to create a space centered around play, fostering personal growth while also providing opportunities to connect with friends.

We believe healthy and active children and young people are more likely to succeed, become more confident in their own abilities, and – in turn – lead healthier and happier lives.

KO-NEKT will provide a safe, flexible space where they can choose when to access support and enjoy hanging out with friends, socializing just like everyone else.

We will champion equality in a world that often overlooks the needs of the child.

Benefits:

Qualified Staff:

Support workers are not only chosen for their qualifications, but for their passion for each C&YP to excel and be all that they can.

Flexibility:

Parents and C&YP have the choice of when, where, and how to split their time and funding (either by private payment and/or SDS Options 2 & 3). Parents have more flexibility to fit C&YP support around their schedules.

Outcome-Focused Personal Care Plan:

Every C&YP is fully supported to work towards their individually identified needs and goals.

Safe Environment

C&YP have a secure place to play, grow, and connect with each other.

Self-Management:

Using an app, parents/carers have access to an online platform, personalised to them, where they can book sessions, access their children’s weekly diary, personal care plan, reviews, SDS budgets, make payments, and communicate with support management.

SHANARRI Developmental Outcomes

During their time with KO-NEKT, every child and young person will have an individual care plan. Using the Scottish Government’s GIRFEC principles, all outcomes within the care plan are assessed using 8 well-being indicators, commonly known as SHANARRI.

Every young person will work towards at least one Outcomes depending upon the needs identified during their initial meeting. Reviews are then carried out every 3-months.

I’d like to make an enquiry – what happens next?

That’s great! Once you get in touch, here’s what you can expect:

• Reach out to us by completing a Contact Us Form or give us phone or email.
• We’ll have a chat – A member of our team will contact you to learn more about your child or young person, what kind of support you’re looking for and answer any initial questions you may have.
• We’ll arrange a meet-up or visit – If it sounds like a good fit, we’ll invite you and your young person to meet us at one of our centres or arrange a home visit. This helps us get to know each other and see what support will work best.
• We’ll create a support plan – Together, we’ll build a flexible, personalised plan based on your child or young person’s needs, interests and goals, working towards SHANARRI Outcomes.
• We’ll match you with a support worker – We’ll carefully pair your young person with someone from our friendly team who’s a good match.
• We’ll arrange a start date – Once everything’s in place, we’ll get a start date and schedule arranged

Throughout the whole process, we’ll keep things relaxed and clear — and there’s no pressure or obligation at any stage. We’re here to help you make the right decision.

What if my child/young person struggles in groups but needs support?

That’s absolutely fine — many of the children and young people we support prefer 1:1 sessions. We offer personalised, one-to-one support in the community or at home, completely tailored to the individual. Over time, if and when they feel ready, we can gently introduce group sessions at their pace — but there’s never any pressure. Please note that home support is only available within North Lanarkshire

How do I book support sessions?

You can book support sessions by contacting us directly or by our online booking portal. Further instructions will be included within the Parent Pack that you will be given after registering with us.

Why do I need to book the support sessions?

Booking sessions in advance helps us:

• Match your child or young person with the right support worker
• Ensure consistency and routine
• Plan safe and meaningful activities
• Keep staffing levels appropriate

It also helps us make sure every young person gets the support they need, when they need it.

How do I pay for support sessions?

You can pay for support in two main ways:

• Self-Funded: You can pay privately, and we’ll invoice you monthly.
• Self-Directed Support (SDS): If you have an SDS budget through your local authority, we can work with you to set this up and bill directly under your SDS agreement.

If you’re not sure which applies to you, we’re happy to help guide you through the options.

What is Self-Directed Support (SDS)?

Self-Directed Support (SDS) is a way of giving you more choice and control over the care and support your child or young person receives. If eligible, your local council can give you an SDS budget to pay for support directly from a provider like KO-NEKT. There are different SDS options, including direct payments to you or arrangements managed by the council. We can help you understand how it works and guide you through the process if you’re new to it.

Ready to Get Started?

Complete our short form and a member of our team will be in touch soon to chat about how KO-NEKT can support your child or young person.

Click Here

Contact Information

THE HUB

Phone Number: 07513399543
Address: 2 Vernon Street,
Saltcoats KA21 5HN

NORTH AYRSHIRE

Phone Number: 01294 588 123
Address: 4 Park Road, Ardrossan KA22 8JR
Registration Number: CS2025000318

SOUTH AYRSHIRE

Phone Number: 01292 254 253
Address: 9 Miller Road, Ayr KA7 2AY
Registration Number: CS2025000320

NORTH LANARKSHIRE

Phone Number: 01236 338 358
Address: Unit 26 Coatbridge Business Centre, Coatbridge ML5 3RB
Registration Number: CS2025000319