FEATURE
SUPPORT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Vulnerable children deserve better. Paul O’Rourke, Managing Director of Next Stage Youth Development (NSYD), a social care and supported housing provider, outlines why urgent action is needed to enhance facilities and support systems beyond the school environment and why schools alone cannot fill this gap.
https://nextstageyd.co.uk/ https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/project/covid-19-and-social-mobility
Proposals to overhaul the school calendar and shorten holidays have reignited concerns about the lack of support available for vulnerable children during school closures. Against a backdrop of government cuts to youth programmes and social care, the safety net for our most at-risk young people is fraying. With the lingering effects of post-pandemic education inequalities, countless children are leſt without the support they desperately need. As the Managing Director of NYSD, I’ve witnessed how these challenges extend far beyond the classroom – particularly during the 13 weeks of school holidays each year when children lose access to vital resources.
HOW THE SOCIOECONOMIC CRISIS IS IMPACTING THE SECURITY AND STABILITY OF CHILDREN
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/research/what-cost-impact-cost-living-children- and-young-people
The socioeconomic crisis is profoundly impacting children’s security and stability. One in four children in the UK are living in poverty, with those in deprived neighbourhoods facing even greater disparities in care and support. The cost-of-living crisis has deepened this divide, pushing families to rely on already strained services.
Cuts to essential initiatives such as youth programmes, social care and community support have left children without safe spaces, meals or trusted adults to guide them. Growing up in such conditions limits opportunities and stifles potential, holding children back in education and dimming their outlook on the future. Without intervention, this cycle of disadvantage will only worsen.
SCHOOLS AS A LIFELINE, BUT AN OVERBURDENED ONE
https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/Children-in-Care-Report- 2024-FINAL-2.pdf
As financial hardship deepens, schools are becoming an increasingly a vital lifeline for vulnerable children. Many arrive hungry, suffering the consequences of a care system in crisis. These challenges are far from evenly distributed, with children in the most deprived 10% of neighbourhoods over 10 times more likely to enter care.
With community support systems collapsing, schools are being leſt to fill the gaps. I have said previously that schools are vital, offering education, warmth, food and safety. They’re the front line of protecting at-risk children, yet they’re overwhelmed and underfunded.
THE NEED FOR INVESTMENT BEYOND THE SCHOOL DAY
Support cannot stop at the school gates. Cuts to funding for essential services – such as youth clubs, holiday provisions and extracurricular activities – have made these opportunities inaccessible for many families.
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Whilst increased funding is critical, it is not the only solution. We need a broader strategy that transforms schools into resource hubs, equipped to address young people’s needs. Having personally benefitted from youth clubs, I have seen how these spaces transform lives. They provide immediate support and lay the foundations for happier, more resilient adults. Investing in these resources is essential to breaking the cycle of disadvantage.
TARGETED SOLUTIONS TO BRIDGE THE GAPS
The need for targeted resources is urgent. The recent spending review revealed insufficient school funding, leaving them unable to handle the rising costs and growing demands.
However, financial investment alone is not enough. We need a strategy that holistically addresses gaps, particularly the 13 weeks of school holidays. Expanding access to mental health resources, such as counsellors and youth workers, would also help address the emotional toll on at-risk children. Stronger collaboration between schools and social care services is also vital for seamless safeguarding.
At Next Stage Youth Development, we ensure every young person has a tailored plan to help them thrive. Investing in community- based solutions is not just about preventing harm – it's about creating a society where every child can flourish. By doing so, we can create a safety net that ensures every child thrives, both inside and outside of school.
https://nextstageyd.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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