Student Retention Services

SPECIALIST STUDENT SUPPORT SINCE 2002

Returning Students to Study with Expert, Personalised Care

We bridge the gap between conventional university services and the complex, multifactorial needs of students who have temporarily withdrawn from higher education.

Explore Our Services

Universities — Partner With Us

20+

Years supporting students in higher education

10yr

NHS and university student services experience

CBT

Qualified cognitive behavioural therapy practitioners

MMedSci

Master of Medical Science qualified practitioner

OUR BACKGROUND

Student Retention Services (SRS) was founded by Antony Scratcherd in response to a gap in Higher Education service provision in 2002.

It was identified through research that many students who were temporarily withdrawn from study were underserved by some universities.

This gap in services can be multifactorial and beyond the scope of conventional student support services.

Research-led foundation

Neurodiversity-informed practice

Trauma-aware approach

Higher education sector specialists

WHAT WE OFFER

SRS provides a hub around which students and higher education institutions can access relevant services and/or specialists. Such early intervention can ensure confident re-integration to student life, study and retention. Above all, students can be pro-active in evidencing resourcefulness and inclusion on their own terms. Universities can demonstrate that students’ emotional needs and learning pathways are being addressed at an early stage.

Individual Reintegration Planning

Personalised return-to-study roadmaps co-created with each student, addressing academic, psychological and practical barriers to getting back into education.

Cognitive Behavioural Coaching

Structured support around academic avoidance, adjustment difficulties and career trajectory.

Assessment and Specialist Support

Practitioners with extensive knowledge of higher education processes and procedures.

Motivational Interviewing (M.I) and Wellbeing

Evidence-based M.I. to address anxiety, confidence issues and emotional blocks that prevent a return to study.

University Consultancy and Staff Training

Bespoke training and consultancy for student services teams on gaps in provision, neurodiversity practice and evidence-based outreach to withdrawn students.

Community and Youth Work Support

A qualified community and youth work perspective for students navigating social, identity and transition-related challenges alongside their academic difficulties.

BIO

Antony Scratcherd is a cognitive behavioural therapist, wellbeing adviser and trainer. He has worked in private practice, the community, NHS and in university student services for 10 years. More recently, he has worked in the neurodiversity field as a specialist trainer and practitioner.

Antony is a qualified community and youth worker, has trained in a spectrum of psychological therapies, particularly clinical hypnosis and holds a Master of Medical Science.

Initial Contact

01 — ReferralSelf-referral or university referral. Confidential, no obligation. We will listen and help you understand how we can help.

Holistic Needs Assessment

02 — AssessmentA comprehensive, unhurried exploration of the student’s situation, barriers and goals — carried out without judgement.

Co-Created Support Plan

03 — PlanningA personalised, evidence-based plan combining therapeutic and practical interventions, built around what the student needs.

Supported Reintegration

04 — ReturnOngoing support through re-enrolment and into the early period of return, so students feel supported every step of the way.

“

Many students who step back from study don’t need more of the same — they need something different. Student Retention Services exists to be exactly that: a specialist, human and evidence-led bridge back to education for students who have been left underserved by conventional support.

— Student Retention Services, established in response to a research-identified gap in higher education provision (2002)

WHO WE WORK WITH

Supporting Students and Institutions

SRS works across a wide range of circumstances, always starting from a position of compassion, curiosity and expertise.

Students

→ Temporarily withdrawn or on a leave of absence
→ Experiencing mental health difficulties that make return feel impossible
→ Diagnosed or suspected to be neurodivergent, including autism and ADHD
→ Facing complex personal, family or life circumstances
→ Struggling with academic identity, belonging or confidence
→ Unsure where to turn after feeling let down by existing services

Universities and Colleges

→ Seeking specialist referral pathways for complex student cases
→ Developing or reviewing withdrawal and return-to-study policies
→ Looking for staff training in neurodiversity and complex need
→ Wanting to improve retention outcomes and student experience
→ Interested in research partnerships exploring higher education retention
→ Needing support beyond the scope of their in-house services

GET IN TOUCH

Ready to Take the First Step?

Whether you are a student thinking about returning to study, or a university looking for specialist referral support, we would love to hear from you. All initial enquiries are completely confidential.

We aim to respond within two working days.