When families hear the words in-home tuition, it often sparks mixed feelings. For some, it’s a reassuring thought: a chance for their child to learn in the comfort of their own home, away from the pressures of a busy classroom. For others, the idea can feel overwhelming. What if my child refuses to engage? What if the tutor can’t connect with them? What if we open our doors and it doesn’t work?
The reality is that in-home tuition doesn’t follow a script. It is entirely shaped around the child, their needs, and their circumstances. At its very best, it is not just education delivered at a kitchen table, but a bridge back into learning, confidence, and opportunities delivered in the way that supports each student suited to their needs.
Why are more children receiving in-home tuition?
Across the country, the number of children and young people learning at home with a tutor is rising. Many of these pupils have additional needs or are on waiting lists for a suitable school placement. Some are struggling with mental health challenges that make the traditional school day overwhelming, while others are in a period of transition, waiting for a more specialist setting or reintegration back into mainstream.
In Lincolnshire, we have seen a clear growth in the demand for tuition delivered at home. Parents are searching for education that is flexible enough to fit around their child, rather than trying to make their child fit into an environment that simply doesn’t work for them.
Our approach at Lincoln Inclusive Tutoring
At Lincoln Inclusive Tutoring, we recognise that no two children are the same. That is why our tuition never looks identical from one household to the next. Our tutors don’t arrive with a fixed scheme of work and expect the child to adapt. Instead, they take the time to build a relationship, to discover what makes that young person tick, and to shape learning around them.
For one child, this might mean structured lessons that follow the curriculum closely, supporting them to keep pace with their peers academically. For another, it may be more practical and holistic - for example, accessing the local community, learning to use public transport, or developing skills through creative and hands-on projects. Every programme is designed with the whole child in mind, focusing not only on academic attainment but also on confidence, wellbeing, and independence.
Understanding the fears
It is important to acknowledge that inviting a tutor into the home can feel daunting. Parents often tell us they worry their child won’t engage, or that the sessions might feel intrusive. Some fear it will be a waste of time, especially if previous attempts to support learning haven’t worked. These feelings are natural and completely valid.
What we see time and again, however, is that once the first barrier is overcome, in-home tuition can be transformative. The home environment is familiar and safe, which helps children who might feel anxious in a school setting to relax. With patience, consistency, and the right tutor, children begin to build trust. That trust soon leads to engagement, and engagement often leads to progress that surprises even the most doubtful of parents.
The evidence of impact
Research supports what we see in practice every day. One-to-one tuition has been proven to accelerate progress significantly. Studies by the Education Endowment Foundation suggest that children can make as much as five months of additional progress in a single term when supported through focused, one-to-one teaching. Parents also regularly report increased confidence, motivation, and enthusiasm for learning when education is tailored so precisely to their child.
At Lincoln Inclusive Tutoring, we have countless examples of young people who have thrived because of this approach. For many, in-home tuition has been the stepping stone they needed to re-engage with education and to believe in themselves again.
A story of success
One parent we supported recently was very hesitant about tuition. Her daughter was age 6 waiting for a placement at a special school, and Mum was convinced she wouldn’t engage with anyone coming into the house. She feared the sessions wouldn't meet need and that her daughter’s reluctance would make the process uncomfortable for everyone involved.
The tutor started gently, keeping sessions focused on building rapport rather than forcing academic progress. Slowly, trust developed. To Mum’s surprise, her daughter began looking forward to the sessions each week. She engaged fully, enjoyed the activities, and started to thrive in the structure the tuition provided. The sessions not only kept her learning but also built her confidence and routine, which in turn made her transition back into school far smoother than anyone expected.
Mum later admitted that her initial fears had been completely turned around. What she thought might fail had instead given her daughter happiness and opportunity in education and had given her, as a parent, hope and reassurance.
The Parent Google review:
"Absolutely outstanding 👏 The care and compassion my daughter receives really is amazing! You can just see how much the tutor loves what she does and really does care about your child's education and wants too help your child achieve the best of their ability. The progress my daughter has made since the tutor has been coming has been fantastic to see, I'm absolutely amazed and so grateful, so thankyou ❤️"
Final thoughts
In-home tuition is not about recreating the classroom at home. It is about creating an approach that works for the child, in the environment where they feel safest. For some, it looks like structured lessons with a clear academic focus. For others, it looks like creative projects, community engagement, or the steady building of social and emotional skills.
At Lincoln Inclusive Tutoring, we believe in meeting children where they are -academically, emotionally, and personally and supporting them to grow from there. For many families, that first step of opening the door to a tutor can feel the hardest. But time and time again, we see how quickly those fears give way to progress, confidence, and, most importantly, children who feel ready to thrive again.
Next Month's Blog - Stay tuned for more updates and next month's blog which will be '“Walk and Talk: The Power of Community for Parents of Children with SEND”
This blog will explore the heart behind our monthly Walk and Talk sessions - why they were created, who they’re for, and the real impact of simply connecting with others walking a similar path. We’ll dive into the importance of community for parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), how shared experiences can reduce isolation, and why taking time for yourself matters more than ever. Whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, fighting for support, or just feeling alone, this blog is a reminder that you’re not. And we’re walking beside you.
