Secure Start Framework

Support for exams and school transitions

A calm, confidence-building system to help your child through exams and big school changes with ease and clarity— without pressure, conflict, or nagging.

What if exam season — and the process of school transition — brought more calm, clarity, and confidence to your child… without the stress, shutdowns, or arguments?

I’m a parent and I want this for me and my child, that’s why I created the Secure Start Framework.
Picture this…
Your child is revising without overwhelm.
Speaking up when something feels hard — and having the tools to move through it.
Walking into a new school with steadiness, not fear.
Not perfect, not pressure-free — but grounded, aware, and giving it a try.
And you?
You’re not walking on eggshells or bracing for conflict.
You breathe.
Because your child isn’t just getting through — they’re growing through it.

Coaching for children - Working with Soumya Karkera

Let’s be honest — as parents, we do everything we can to give our children the best start in life.

Let’s be honest — as parents, we do everything we can to give our children the best start in life.

You’ve followed all the advice: the schedules, the encouragement, the reminders to revise.

You’ve tried being patient. You’ve tried being firm.

But still, something feels off.

There are arguments over revision.
Moods shift.
Your child pulls away — or completely shuts down.
And despite your best efforts, you’re left second-guessing yourself.
Am I pushing too hard? Or not enough? Why does this feel so hard?There’s so much coming at you — from schools, from society, from your own hopes and memories.
And underneath it all, a quiet fear: Are they really ready? Am I?

Here’s the truth no one tells you:
Exams and school transitions don’t just test your child — they test the connection between you.

What’s often missing isn’t more structure or pressure — it’s emotional readiness.
The ability to name big feelings.
To regulate stress.
To feel supported without feeling pushed.

That’s exactly why I created the Secure Start Framework — to offer calm, steady guidance for your child, so this season becomes less about surviving and more about growing into who they’re becoming.

 

The Secure Start Framework

Every child experiences pressure and change in their own way — but none of them should have to face it alone.

The Secure Start Framework is a calm, confidence-building process that supports your child through exam preparation and school transitions with emotional steadiness, practical tools, and personalised attention.

It’s not about choosing academic success over mental wellbeing — it’s about supporting both, so your child can move forward with confidence, without burning out along the way.

Here’s how it unfolds:

  1. We create emotional stability.
    I begin by building a safe, non-judgemental space where your child can speak honestly about what feels hard — whether it’s exams, change, or the pressure to “get it right.” They learn simple ways to name and manage their emotions, so they’re no longer carrying it all alone.
  2. We build personalised support tools.
    Together, we explore what helps them stay grounded — breathing techniques, brain breaks, inclusive revision plans, or simply space to talk things through. Not every child needs every tool, but each one leaves with strategies that truly support them.
  3. We strengthen focus, resilience, and adaptability.
    Whether they’re facing revision challenges or adjusting to a new school, I help your child meet the moment with less fear and more self-awareness. They begin to reframe unhelpful thoughts, manage stress, and recognise their strengths along the way.
  4. We prepare for what’s next — with confidence.
    Instead of rushing through the finish line, we take time to reflect, integrate, and reinforce what’s working. Your child leaves feeling more prepared — not just for the next test or school, but for all the change and challenge that life will bring.
Coaching for children in Kent - Working with Soumya Karkera

What You’ll Receive

Secure Start Framework is delivered through 1:1 sessions, designed to gently support your child’s emotional wellbeing and readiness for change — whether they’re preparing for exams, adjusting to a new school, or navigating both at once.

Each child receives a calm, consistent space to build tools that work for them — not just during our time together, but long after.

I use a range of child-led modalities and reflective tools to personalise the journey. One of those is the Wheel of Conversation, a visual tool we use together to explore what’s going well, what feels hard, and what support is most needed. We turn insights into simple, actionable steps that help your child move forward with more confidence and clarity.

This isn’t one-size-fits-all. Together, we co-create emotional tools and strategies your child can use independently — in ways that feel safe, doable, and genuinely helpful.

What’s Included:

✅ 12 one-to-one sessions over 6 months
  (6 focused on exam support, 6 on transitions)
✅ A personalised support rhythm tailored to your child’s needs
✅ Emotional regulation strategies, focus tools, and grounding techniques
✅ Use of reflective tools like the Wheel of Conversation
✅ Gentle check-ins and feedback between sessions
✅ Printable worksheets and prompts for reflection
✅ A custom roadmap to build emotional steadiness and self-belief

Sessions are available online or in person for local families.

Why Learn from Me?

I know this journey from the inside.
As a teenager, I faced the emotional impact of exam anxiety and school transitions without the support I needed — and it led to a mental health crisis that shaped the way I now work with children. Recovery wasn’t just about study habits — it was about journaling, grounding myself in nature, learning to speak kindly to myself, and building emotional tools that I still use today.
Now, with over 15 years of experience supporting children, I bring that same mix of insight, care, and emotional steadiness into every session.
What makes this work different is the depth of personalisation. I don’t rely on one-size-fits-all strategies. I listen carefully, use tools like the Wheel of Conversation, and help each child uncover what genuinely supports them — not just in exams or transitions, but in how they relate to themselves.
Some children walk away with calming techniques. Some with a new inner script. All of them leave with a deeper belief in their ability to face what’s next — and care for their mental health as they grow.

Why Now?

Because this moment matters more than it seems.
Right now, your child is learning how to respond to pressure, manage emotions, and move through change — and those patterns don’t just shape their next test or school… they shape their future.
When children are supported early, they build something deeper than academic success.
They develop emotional steadiness, trust in themselves, and the ability to keep trying — even when things feel hard.
This isn’t about waiting for a crisis.
It’s about offering the kind of support that strengthens their confidence before they need to push through alone.

If your child is approaching exams or navigating change, now is the time to offer them tools that will stay with them for life.

Who is this for?

This offer is for families who want to support their child through more than just grades or transitions — they want to support the whole person their child is becoming.

Secure Start Framework is ideal if:

  • Your child is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or shut down about exams or change
  • You’ve tried encouragement and structure, but it’s led to arguments, resistance, or emotional withdrawal
  • Your child seems fine on the outside — but you can tell they’re holding a lot in, and struggling to express it
  • You want to prioritise mental wellbeing alongside academic progress
  • Your child is preparing for a big exam (like 11+, GCSE, A Levels) or moving schools — or both
  • You want support that builds self-awareness, resilience, and calm — not just results.

Pricing

If you’re ready to give your child the kind of support that lasts beyond this season, , I invite you to enrol in the Secure start framework.

Secure Start Framework is offered in seasonal enrolment windows — with limited 1:1 places available each term.

You can choose the full journey, or start with a shorter track depending on your child’s needs.

Full Journey (12 sessions over 6 months)

  • 6 sessions focused on exam preparation
  • 6 sessions focused on school or university transitions

£600 total
or 3 monthly payments of £210

Single Track (6 sessions)

Choose either Exam Support or Transition Support

£330 total
One-time payment

Intro Session (60 mins)

A gentle starting point to meet your child, explore their needs, and begin building trust.
If you choose to continue, this session is counted as your first.

£65

A Note on Availability – Enrolling now

Secure Start runs in seasonal booking windows — with limited 1:1 spaces available each term.

This rhythm is intentional. It ensures that each child receives the consistent, personalised support they deserve — and gives me time to pause, reflect, and offer my full presence during delivery periods.

Testimonials

“Soumya worked with my son who was struggling with high anxiety levels , finding school difficult and not wanting to leave the house alone. She built a positive relationship with him and she engaged with his interests in sessions, which got him talking. From this he worked on small goals to manage his anxiety and build his confidence. The approach worked and the experience was positive for him.
We are all very grateful for soumya’s input, her care towards him and us as a family, it made a huge difference”

– Laura Dormer

“My daughter has shown remarkable growth in confidence, actively expressing herself and engaging in open and honest conversations with me about her challenges and concerns. This shift in communication is filled with valuable advice, suggestions, and practical techniques. After spending two years in lockdown due to Covid, she transitioned to a new middle school where I noticed her feeling nervous, anxious, and uncertain. Recognizing this, I sought the assistance of Soumya, who did an outstanding job of assisting my daughter in discovering and accepting her true self. Through Soumya’s unique methods, my daughter felt secure and at ease discussing her struggles, and she was equipped with tools and strategies to cope with stress and adopt a growth mindset. I intend to continue working with Soumya to support my daughter’s transition to high school.”

– Ameeta Appu

FAQ’s /
Things to Consider Before Enrolling

Q1: Is this tutoring or therapy?
No — this is emotional wellbeing support. I don’t teach academic content or offer therapy. I help children build emotional tools, manage stress, and feel more confident as they move through exams and school transitions.

Q2: What if my child is shy or doesn’t open up easily?
That’s completely okay. Sessions are gentle, child-led, and never pressured. I use a range of modalities — from reflection prompts to visual tools and somatic techniques — to meet your child where they are, at their pace.

Q3: How are the sessions delivered?
All sessions are 1:1 and take place online (via Zoom), or in person for local families. Between sessions, your child also receives supportive check-ins, optional worksheets, and reflective prompts.

Q4: What if my child resists support or doesn’t want to talk?
Many children start that way — and that’s okay. I focus on presence and emotional safety first. Over time, most children begin to share, try things out, and trust the process — without being pushed or made to perform.

Q5: Can I choose just the exam support or just the transition support?
Yes. The full 12-session journey provides the deepest support, but you’re welcome to begin with one track based on your child’s current needs.

Q6: What if we need to cancel or reschedule?
Sessions can be rescheduled with at least 24 hours’ notice. If something urgent comes up, I’ll always do my best to accommodate. Late cancellations may not be refunded or rescheduled.

Q7: Will I be involved as a parent? How will I know how things are going?
Yes — parent involvement is gently woven in. You’ll receive a simple roadmap and regular progress updates by email. You’re also welcome to send questions or reflections on designated check-in days. Each child’s progress is tracked with a clear, flexible sheet we update together — so you can see not just what they’re doing, but how they’re growing.

    I will not teach or love or show you anything perfectly, but I will let you see me, and I will always hold sacred the gift of seeing you. Truly, deeply, seeing you.

    – Brene Brown, The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto