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Inclusion Education
Inclusion Education is a specialist education charity which provides bespoke academic and social skill support for young people aged 11-25 with the aim of empowering them to reach their full potential despite experienced trauma or disadvantage. Alongside bespoke projects, the charity operates an Independent Special School and a Specialist Post 16 College (both recently DfE approved) focused specifically on improving mental health and wellbeing for those with additional needs who have stopped attending mainstream education due to a combination of SEND and chronic mental health/or suicide ideation. Professional mental health support and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications, results in a positive approach to lifelong learning and secured strategies to manage mental health and access support. Our projects and campaigns increase awareness of mental health in the community, combating stigma and prejudice.
How does your organisation contribute to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it?
Inclusion Education contributes to preventing suicide and supporting those affected by it through a trauma-informed educational approach. Their programmes, such as Inclusion School and Inclusion College, focus on creating safe and supportive environments for young people. We provide personalised care and emphasise mental health and well-being, ensuring that each learner is seen, listened to, and respected. Our approach and curriculum offers resources and support to enhance the emotional and social progress of their students, normalise conversations about mental health and challenges the stigma and discrimination that surrounds it.
We also have a new, dedicated Suicide Prevention and Awareness programme, Project Iris – Growing Hope.
Project Iris is a new Inclusion Education programme, designed to support young people from 11-25 experiencing suicidal ideation, thoughts and self-harm.
Project Iris works with young people to help them understand more about mental health support then to find strategies and scaffold their recovery. Working with our team of mental health professionals, young people will explore their own thoughts and feelings, combined with access to green therapies.
What are your current priorities?
Reaching young people is our main priority, particularly:
individuals aged between 11 and 25 who are at high risk of suicide
not currently attending school or college
being home educated
previously self-harmed
in contact with mental health services
Autistic or have other special educational need
Gender Dysphoria
Minority groups such as LGBT+ and GRT
Our wider organisational aims are:
Build awareness of the Charity locally and nationally
Develop ‘The Inclusion Way’ across the organisation and beyond
Influence, advocate for, and promote understanding of mental health, suicide and SEN locally and nationally
Initiate projects and strategic growth plans that build the education and support offer
Develop sustainable partnerships with organisations that add value to, and support the growth of the organisation.
Our mission
To provide an inclusive education provision which delivers nationally recognised accredited courses and holistically meet the needs of vulnerable and/or disadvantaged young people.
To raise motivation and aspirations with the young people we work with.
To support young people into employment in partnership with businesses and the community.
Our vision is of a society where disadvantaged young people are supported within the local community and empowered to reach their full potential.
What challenges are you currently facing?
Like many charities and organisations, Inclusion Education is navigating several significant challenges that impact its mission to support young people with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Like many charitable organisations, Inclusion Education is affected by reductions in funding, which strain their ability to maintain and expand their services. This issue is compounded by the increasing demand for mental health support among young people.
The broader political and social environment plays a crucial role in the challenges. Changes in policy, political priorities, and social attitudes can influence the availability of resources and the level of support for mental health initiatives.
The mental health crisis among young people has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistics show that one in six young people aged 5-16 now has a probable mental health problem. This surge in mental health issues increases the demand for the specialised support services including those provided by Inclusion Education.
The rising cost of living is another significant challenge, affecting both the families of the young people they support and the organisation itself. Economic pressures can lead to increased stress and mental health problems, further burdening already stretched services long waiting lists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and NHS mental health services mean that young people are often left without timely support. This delay can exacerbate their issues, making the role of organisations like Inclusion Education even more critical.
LGBT+ young people face unique challenges, including higher rates of mental health issues and discrimination. Inclusion Education is committed to creating an inclusive environment that supports all, but these societal challenges add another layer of complexity to their work.