| The Re-Entry Project |
The Re-Entry Project
Geographical Area: Wolverhampton
Age Range Min: 11
Age Range Max: 16
Gender Specific: no
| Culturally Specific: no
Method of Access: There is specific targeting of young people either partially or totally excluded from school and those young people not attending school for any reason.
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| Description |
Re-Entry is a project working with disaffected young people who have been or are at risk of being excluded from school. It aims to provide intensive structured support through a balanced curriculum, in line with that being provided in schools, focussing on most needed skills - maths, IT and Social Skills. A holistic approach is used by staff who look for the reasons behind the behaviour of the young people. They will offer support and guidance and work alongside Education Social Workers and other agencies, school and the family in looking at the best steps to take for each individual.
A referral service from Schools, Parents, Educational Social Workers, Ed Psychologists, Youth Workers & YIP is in operation. Re-Entry will liaise with the LEA or the school the young person should be attending before accepting them onto the project. Once accepted, an educational Social Worker will also be assigned to the young person.
Young people attend on a temporary basis often for 2 or 3 terms; the aim is to then re-integrate them back into mainstream education. Groups usually consist of a qualified teacher and mentor with a maximum of 4 young people. This ratio tends to suit a lot of young people who find it difficult coping in larger groups. Mentors are local people employed by the scheme to assist each young person whilst on the programme; helping them stay focussed and achieve their objectives.
Drug awareness education is given as part of the social skills programme, the initial approach is to provide the young person with information to dispel myths and discover gaps in their knowledge. It is a non-judgemental approach, designed to be preventative.
Where funding allows, outside agencies such as the YMCA Triangle project are brought in to assist with other activities. A 'Police' programme is currently being run where the issues of the reclassification of cannabis are being discussed.
Useful skills such as problem solving and team building are incorporated into the programme alongside sessions on sexual health and first aid. Young people are also encouraged to take part in drama programmes and sporting activities. |
| Objectives |
| The project aims to address challenging behaviour, poor attitude and improved educational attainment. |
| Staff Profile |
| Re-Entry has 4 bases in Wolverhampton. Each has its own staff and mentors. |
| Linked Organisations |
| The project has links with YMCA Triangle Project and other providers of drug awareness training in Wolverhampton. They also have links with Base 25 (Wolverhampton Young People's Service) and the YMCA as Re-entry will refer young people on if they require counselling. They encourage young people to take up leisure activities offered by other agencies that they have links with. |
