“We just 100% feel so much more positive about the future,” Shelley explains.

Cruz's behaviour is not perfect - he still has blips - but there is a marked improvement.

“He is much more able to control himself. He is able to apologise, reflect on what he's done,” says Shelley.

“He's still working hard at his behaviour but he's learned to accept responsibility.”

Milligan adds that his self-esteem is much improved. “The way he holds himself around peers has really changed. He has built his confidence, and realises, ‘I'm worth being somebody's friend,’” she says.

Shelley has not received a single phone call asking her to pick Cruz up from school since he returned to mainstream education.

She is still in regular contact with the teachers but has now learned to take a different approach to managing his behaviour.

“My attitude with the school before was, ‘I'm so sorry, sorry for his behaviour.’

“Now, I say, ‘Let's work together, let's help him.’”

Shelley also knows that Hawkswood will be there to support her and Cruz if there are any lapses in his behaviour.

“They've left the door open. So any problems for him or me, they'll get involved, which makes me feel confident,” she says.