Engage in Education

Project aim

I CAN is a partner in Engage in Education, a Department for Education funded project which aims to reduce number of young people at risk of exclusion in secondary schools. Led by Catch 22, the consortium includes Rathbone, Pupil Parent Partnership (PPP) and Dyslexia Action – organisations with a strong track record of working with vulnerable young people and their families.

Project focus

The close link between behaviour difficulties and communication needs has been a key feature across I CAN programmes. Recognising and targeting hidden communication needs as risk factor in school exclusions makes this large scale, national programme innovative, exciting – and a huge opportunity.

How it will work

Teams of key workers, teacher, project co-ordinator, volunteer co-ordinator and communication advisor will work with clusters of schools within 5 geographical areas. They will support young people and their families in school and in the wider community over a two year period.

Support will be tailored to suit young people and schools, and will include

• one-to-one support from key workers and volunteer mentors
• accredited and non-accredited group work from the PPP teachers
• family support
• community engagement through volunteering
• workforce learning and development with specialist communication advisors from I CAN.
  

I CAN advisors will: train staff and parents emphasising the link between language and behaviour. They will offer resources, advice, coaching and mentoring to ensure that schools become places which positively support young people’s communication. Their work will enable staff to become confident in supporting young people’s language and communication.