Kids at risk of violence and crime in Greater Manchester are being targeted by a new taskforce to reduce their chances of being kicked out of school.
The new initiative is a part of a rollout of 10 ‘SAFE’ (Support, Attend, Fulfil, Exceed) taskforces in ‘hotspot’ areas, where incidents of serious youth violence are highest.
These will be led by local schools, bringing headteachers together to support vulnerable young people, and avoid them becoming involved in county lines and criminal activity.
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In Manchester, a £3.7m investment will help focus on improving pupils’ attendance, reducing the likelihood of them being permanently excluded from school and keeping them focused on their education.
Manchester Secondary Pupil Referral Unit in Chorlton will also be one of 22 schools benefiting from Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforces, which work directly with young people in alternative provision settings to offer intensive support from experts, including mental health professionals, family workers, and speech and language therapists.
Commenting on the funding announcement from the Department for Education, Children and Families Minister Will Quince said: “Keeping young people engaged with their education has never been more important.
"These taskforces are helping school leaders and vital support services work together to support some of the most vulnerable young people across the country, including in Manchester, helping to keep them on the right track and stop them missing lessons.
“Through the work of these taskforces, combined with our ongoing SEND Review, the independent review of children’s social care, and our investment in alternative provision and other specialist support, this government is levelling up opportunities for all young people to help fulfil their potential and achieve better outcomes.”
Paul Marshall, strategic director of Children and Education Services at Manchester City Council, said: "Youth violence is an important issue that is of concern for us in Manchester just as it is nationally.
"This new funding aligns with the work we have already started locally and through the Alternative Provision Specialist Taskforce in developing an innovative and impactful approach to preventing children being excluded, exploited, and involved in youth violence.
"We look forward to working with the DfE SAFE taskforce to further extend this work, bringing more partners together across the city to work collaboratively and help keep all our children and young people safe; making sure they don't become involved in youth violence or become victims."
