We understand that school can be a challenging place for some young people, and those who are experiencing difficulties may struggle to access their education. We work with both school staff and external professionals to improve the outcomes for those who are facing barriers to success.
We are a solution-focused service that is most successful when spearheading a team approach – utilising school staff such as SENCOs, Heads of Year and pastoral staff; as well as reaching out to external professionals, to tackle the “whole picture”.
Our primary aim is to prevent the need for a permanent exclusion. To achieve this, we offer early intervention support to prevent low-level difficulties from escalating. In addition, we support those pupils who are close to permanent exclusion to remain in full-time education, whether that is a mainstream school or alternative provision.
Our objectives for the pupils we work with include:
All schools have a designated outreach worker who works directly with pupils (both 1:1 and small groups) who have been identified as requiring support. We create and implement a bespoke package of mentoring, advice and support for each student, linking with a wide range of school staff and external professionals to achieve the best outcomes. We are passionate about supporting young people and work tirelessly to find solutions to students’ individual challenges.
We do not have specific referral criteria but prefer to be flexible with our service. We encourage school staff to approach their outreach worker with a brief overview of the identified pupil. We may simply offer advice and guidance at this point, with a view to accepting a full referral once initial advice has been considered and, where possible, implemented. Once support has been agreed and parental consent gained, we direct school staff to complete our referral form so we can tailor and deliver our support accordingly.
We address different levels of need. For example, early intervention would target:
Support when pupils escalate or move closer to permanent exclusion might include:
If the risk of permanent exclusion increases despite the above support, we work with our own senior leadership team and DSPL1 inclusion team to implement next steps. This may include:
Outreach is much more than 1:1 support. Our offer includes:
We only accept referrals from school staff. Parents/carers should approach their child’s school if they think our service could be helpful.
“She has consistently demonstrated a proactive and diligent approach to supporting pupils here, she has been willing to engage at every level in seeking to find solutions to the barriers faced by our most challenged pupils. She acts with empathy, treats the pupils with dignity and respect and all in all we could not have asked for more.”
“She is now an integral part of our wider pastoral team. She works tirelessly for positive outcomes. Her voice within our team is respected and her advice is valued.”
“She communicates brilliantly with staff to learn about the students and target the support to the areas that school staff have identified.”
“Supportive and knowledgeable staff, range of courses available for our students, positive relationships developed with our students and the staff.”
“We have been so grateful for the support and open communication. They have been willing to offer advice and guidance for complex students, and we really value this when an additional perspective is needed.”
“Our staff and students benefit from our association with your Outreach service. I feel it is incredibly useful.”
“Just wanted to thank you for everything you done for me and thanks for getting me in the school.”
“I liked talking about ways to help me.”
“I feel like my behaviour has improved and I liked having someone to talk to.”
“It has helped me in a time where my school life wasn’t at its best.”
“I really am so grateful for your support and the kindness you show him. He really likes seeing you and having you there for him, so thank you so much, we really are grateful for you!”
“Thank you so much, honestly, you’ve been amazing.”
“You all did so well with him, thanks to all of you, especially you, you’re so lovely to him and he really likes you, and you’re helping us a lot so thank you so much, I really appreciate it.”
