Pilot project launches for children struggling in education

The number of children struggling to engage in education and remain in class is on the increase. In Devon, according to recent data from Devon County Council, more than one in every three secondary school pupils is persistently absent from school.
 
To help combat this, we are excited to be part of The Family Minds Partnership, a group of Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations working alongside each other to better improve mental health support for children, young people and their families across Devon.

Our common purpose is to

• ensure all family members are appropriately supported (including siblings), by working collaboratively
• work collaboratively to increase the success rate of interventions that families receive, by taking a shared, holistic approach
• share knowledge and ideas to achieve positive/best practice  
• have shared values, a shared language and shared messages, whilst delivering services in our own unique ways
• pull services in to support our families, rather than simply signposting to an alternative service (no wrong front door)
• continue to be a catalyst for change by capturing our journey and sharing the learning
   

We are proud to be a key organisation in this partnership.

Starting this month, we have launched our pilot project, delivering weekly forest school sessions in Thomas Hall School in Exeter and Honiton Community College. The aim is that a multi-faceted approach will help children and young people re-engage with education by providing support where they need it most.