HCRG Care Group are supporting young people to stay in education
An innovative pilot project has been launched to support children and young people who are struggling to settle in school and risk being excluded from education.
The two-year pilot, known as the Affinity Programme, is headed by HCRG Care Group and has been commissioned by West Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, who lead the Children and Young People Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Collaborative. The pilot is one of only seven in England and will work in partnership to support children across Essex, Southend, and Thurrock.
The Affinity Programme will receive referrals from schools and partner organisations, where concerns have been identified about a young person’s behaviour. Children and young people referred to the programme will receive help to understand their triggers and the impact of their behaviours.
The Affinity team includes a programme manager, group emotion coach, and practitioners who will be in place to support children and young people in the community and school environments.
Kathleen Ely, Managing Director for Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service said, “Through a combined approach, the Affinity Programme will support young people in learning how to manage their emotions and lead a more productive life.
“We’re extremely proud to be offering this service across Essex. We believe in providing children and young people with the right tools and information to lead happier lives and make better decisions for themselves. We have a fantastic team who are driven to deliver innovative solutions that will change lives by transforming our services.”
The Affinity Programme aims to:
- Reduce the number of young people being excluded from education by working with young people, families and schools to develop support strategies.
- Reduce high-risk behaviours that indicate potential for harm to self and others.
- Reduce the frequency and severity of behaviours that could be described as challenging.
- Reduce anxiety in young people, especially in education.
- Provide tools for family members who find a young person’s behaviours difficult.
- Ensure families understand the needs of young people and how best to support them.
- Restore relationships.
The programme also recognises that young people need more than someone who cares. A key part of this programme is helping young people find those who have an emotional investment in their success, while giving them the tools to understand their triggers and build the skills to regulate their behaviours.
