More early support for children and young people in Hackney

Hackney Council is setting out its plan for a new Alternative Learning Service, designed to drive inclusion, prioritise a sense of belonging and improve support for children and young people in Hackney, particularly those at risk of disengagement or exclusion from education. 

The new service will work closely together with local schools to provide the right support at the right time for children, their families, peers and school staff, based on the specific needs of each child or young person. 

The Alternative Learning Service will apply a three-tiered approach to inclusion:

• Tier 1: School-based support and community services that will focus on helping children and young people stay in mainstream education.
• Tier 2: Short-term, flexible placements, either in schools or in alternative education settings. This tier will support pupils needing extra help to manage their behaviour or to meet special educational needs, allowing them to re-engage in learning and return to their school as soon as possible.
• Tier 3: Longer-term transitional placements for pupils who require more intensive support and cannot currently return to their previous school. These placements will support children and young people with the highest level of need as they prepare to transition to a different school when they are ready, or to another post-16 destination. The pupils will be supported to recover as much academic and personal developmental progress as possible, to have the ability, relationship skills and confidence to thrive throughout their lives.

The aim of the plan is to ensure all children and young people are supported in more flexible ways that are adapted to their needs, with a range of alternative provision options to allow for short and long term interventions. This will help prevent suspensions and permanent exclusions for children and young people at risk, in particular those with significant needs. 

The refreshed approach will look at ways to work with schools to identify needs earlier and help reduce suspensions or permanent exclusions for children and young people at risk.  This is in response to data that shows the number of exclusions in secondary schools in Hackney, though stable, continues to be higher than in other nearby local authorities. According to the latest full year data set available, in 2022-2023 Hackney had 33 exclusions, all of them at secondary level. 

The Alternative Learning Service  will bring together different education services and providers to work more effectively for children and young people in Hackney. It will include a specialist assessment and triage hub to ensure children get the help they need quickly. The Hackney Pupil Referral Unit at New Regents College will play a central role in this service.

Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children's Social Care, said:

“We firmly believe that all children are able to enjoy a purposeful education. Our refreshed Alternative Learning Service has been developed with the best interest of our children in mind, offering a range of inclusive, trauma informed and flexible responses for the children that need them. 

“This will allow us to serve our children, families and schools better by ensuring that during school hours all children are able to be part of a learning environment set up to meet their needs. 

“This approach will help us be more inclusive, encouraging children to get more involved in their education, and reducing the number of suspensions and exclusions. Our partnership with the school community and voluntary sector will be essential in supporting us in this key mission.” 

Mayor of Hackney, Caroline Woodley, said:

“These changes will make it easier for children to receive the help they need, and give them the right support and opportunities to stay in mainstream schools, avoiding the negative impact that exclusions can have on their long-term wellbeing. 

“For those who need alternative provision, the new service will provide a wider range of options that will ensure all our children and young people continue to receive the high-quality education they deserve.”

Hackney’s new approach to alternative education will be presented at the next meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission, which will take place later today (30 April).