VRU to build London coalition of support for inclusion charter

• Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit holds education summit to deliver on plans to tackle school exclusions
• Evidence shows children with a history of exclusion or suspension are more likely to be affected by violence
• VRU to work in partnership to develop inclusive checklist to support teachers so exclusion is a last resort

The Mayor of London’s Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) will today bring together leaders in education from across the capital to build a broad coalition of support to develop a London inclusion charter.

London’s VRU is committed to tackling school exclusions and firmly believes in the importance of education and the support and guidance that good quality schools, colleges and alternative provision settings can give a young person.

Today, the VRU’s held its first ever London Education Summit, assembling young people, parents and carers, community representatives, teachers, local authorities and education specialists together, to develop an agreement for a London partnership that works towards ensuring education provision is available for a wide range of complex needs.

The VRU’s aspiration is to garner support to develop a London-wide inclusion charter that all London boroughs contribute to, that are locally-designed and led by each local authority in partnership with their schools.

Evidence shows that children with a history of either suspension or exclusion from school are more likely to be affected by violence. Research shows that:

• Nearly 90 per cent of young people in detention had been excluded from mainstream education¹
• Ofsted found that children excluded from school were twice as likely to carry a knife²
• Pupils eligible for free school meals are more than four times likely to be excluded³
• Looked-after children are five times more likely to be suspended

A study published in 2018 by IPPR also found that each excluded child is estimated to cost the state £370,000 each in extra education, benefits, healthcare and criminal justice costs.

Exclusion is the ultimate sanction, and the data makes it clear that more needs to be done to intervene earlier to support both teachers and young people.

Keeping young people in education increases their life chances but in order to do that, it’s vital that schools and teachers are supported in working towards education being fully inclusive, fair and available to all.

The VRU will work with schools, colleges, Pupil Referral Units, borough safeguarding leads and partners across the capital to develop an inclusion checklist to support teachers in the processes they can go through to support a young person, with exclusion being the very last resort and once all interventions and support has been exhausted.

An inclusion checklist would typically include measures to support teachers such as developing and sharing knowledge of situational and behavioural triggers, activities to improve behaviour, as well as systems in place with statutory services to provide ongoing support for both the young person and teacher.

Since 2020, through the VRU, the Mayor has invested £7 million in tackling exclusions, supporting children during key vulnerable moments, such as the transition from primary to secondary school, and by investing in mentoring in Pupil Referral Units.

More than 4,000 young people have been supported this year with positive opportunities after school – which is the time of day when young people can often become involved in, or a victim of, violence.

The VRU is redoubling its focus to minimise exclusions with a new, targeted programme – backed up with nearly £2m investment – to tackle school exclusions, sexual harassment and abuse.

To make the greatest impact in the areas that need it most, the VRU’s Inclusive and Nurturing Schools programme – delivered by nurtureuk and Tender - will work with 9,000 children and young people in 70 schools across seven London boroughs*. Boroughs included in the programme are selected based on the highest rates of suspensions, children in need, pupils on special educational needs, persistent absenteeism and domestic violence incidents.

Evidence shows that children who grow up having witnessed domestic abuse are at much greater risk of mental health issues, violent behaviour and poor attainment, all of which are known risk factors for exclusion. These measures will help schools and colleges better support young people, while promoting the importance of education.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who set up the VRU in 2019, supports an approach to make education more inclusive.

He said: “I firmly believe in the importance of education and the support and guidance that good quality schools, colleges and alternative provision settings can give a young person.

“What’s also clear is that there is a direct correlation between school exclusions and serious violence affecting young people.

“My Violence Reduction Unit is leading the way in breaking this link by bringing people together to make education more inclusive, and supporting our hard-working teachers who are doing everything they can to keep young people in schools and engaged with their education.

“It’s an important step in tackling exclusions and we could go further and faster if our local authorities were given greater funding, powers and responsibilities over school exclusions. To do that, we need a national focus, supported by the Government, to give every young person the support they need to receive an education and fulfil their potential.”

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said:

“All the evidence shows that being in school makes young people safe, it makes them feel safer and education unquestionably improves the life chances of children in our city.

“This evidence can’t be ignored and London’s VRU is determined to work with partners across the capital to lead a broad coalition of support to ensure our schools and teachers are fully supported to do what they are best at – delivering fantastic education for all children and young people.

“That responsibility cannot and should not sit with hardworking teachers alone, and that’s why we’ve brought together young people, parents and carers, teachers, local authorities and education specialists from across London together because there is a role for everyone in ensuring education is inclusive for all.

“The VRU is determined to work with others towards an agreement for a London inclusion charter that is owned by schools and local authorities. Today’s summit is the beginning of those discussions, but is a commitment to do everything we can to give children and young people the opportunities that we know education can provide.”

Martin Nicholson, headteacher at Grafton Primary School in Dagenham, said:

“Inclusion must involve and embrace the whole school community. In order for inclusion to be truly meaningful to all it must become part of the culture of the organisation. It must be an inclusion culture that you live and breath, and has to be built on relationships. It cannot be something that you demand from others but something you lead by example. A truly inclusive culture for schools should involve children, all staff, parents/carers, governors and the wider school community. 

“I have been very fortunate to work in a Local Authority that truly promotes inclusion at all levels and something that our school has embraced openly and transparently. I am sure the conference will give us all the opportunity to discuss the proposed London Inclusion Charter moving forward.”

Shaun Brown, Programmes Director at The Difference, said:

“The Difference is committed to supporting the London VRU in their work to improve outcomes for vulnerable and disadvantaged children. In particular, reducing their experience of school exclusion and the effects of serious violence.

“It will only be possible to improve inclusion if we come together to work with - and alongside - schools, engaging with all staff, as well as students and their families.

“If we accept the challenge of becoming more inclusive, then we should promote the adoption of practice in schools which supports all staff to recognise and respond to the needs of all students, whilst also improving opportunities for children and families to access support in school and in their community.”

Reannah Britto, member of the Young People’s Action Group, said:

“Many of the children that are being excluded from schools have multiple support needs relating to disruptive behaviour, mental health issues, special educational needs, unsafe or unstable home situations and other adverse childhood experiences and societal issues.

“Having went to school and worked with young people with lived experiences, it’s necessary to take a holistic approach to meeting the social, emotional and educational needs of those at risk of exclusion.

“This is an area of the system that needs fixing. My passion for young people, particularly black and mixed heritage girls in schools, stems from not only lived experience, but seeing and knowing that there is work that needs to be done and needs to be down now.

I am looking forward to using my role with the Young People’s Action Group to advocate for young people and work with leaders in education to identify how best to bring about change for not only young Londoners to come, but young Londoners now.”

Arti Sharma, nurtureuk CEO, said:

“An inclusive education system that prioritises wellbeing is essential if we are to ensure our children and young people can truly learn and thrive. But the right support must be available for teaching staff, helping them tackle exclusions and foster welcoming and positive school cultures. We’re delighted to be part of this vital work led by London’s VRU, which is an important step in ensuring that children and young people can flourish in school and have the very best chance of successful futures.”