How can you get involved in 2024 and 2025?

Thanks to continued funding support from Anglo American to December 2025, Redcar Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC) and Skyblue are keen to convert the ‘Theory of Change’ into practical action across the Borough with willing individuals and organisations. This means working in ways to reduce persistent (PA) and severe absence (SA), and develop practices and approaches that will prevent more children and young people becoming PA or SA in the future. We have some thoughts about how to build on what’s already happening, here are just 5 to get the ball rolling, but you may have much better ideas so let’s connect, share and improve on these….

1. We will host a range of workshops and gatherings to share practice and develop solutions to build on the best in R&C and elsewhere in the UK with strong connections to the new Attendance Hubs and their resources and insights. Amanda from RCBC will be sending details about each workshop including dates / duration / venue details as they are shaped.
   
   
2. We will make the Theory of Change available as widely as possible and help communicate the intentions that were gathered in 2023 from over 100 people so more people can understand it and determine for themselves where they do, or could make, an even greater difference towards the short, medium and long-term goals.
   
   
3. We would also like to explore the potential for at least one place-based pilot in the R&C area that could stretch every sinew and muscle we have across the local assets and the system to see what is possible to achieve by working in even more joined up ways. If you have interest in this, we would like to hear from you – whether to help us work out how to decide on where such a pilot could or should take place and what that might look like – or to express interest in contributing to any pilot itself should we secure appropriate funding and resources for that ambition. Can we see what is truly possible in a place when attendance is everyone’s business? What could that look and feel like for everyone involved?
   
   
4. The lived experience stories collected in 2023 pointed to the fundamental requirement to have a system that puts relationships first where PA and SA is concerned. Similarly, a lack of time in different settings to listen to and understand the needs of each child and family limits the ability to comprehensively address the underlying issues causing the absence. Often there are multiple factors at play. Partners agreed that we needed a system where anyone involved in the lives of children, young people and families need to be trauma-informed and skilful in their relationship-centred practice. We wish to build on the good practices found in Redcar & Cleveland and share that as widely as possible across the Borough. If you are interested in this we would like to hear from you please.
   
   
5. There are a range of past and present approaches relating to the idea of putting in place a ‘Team Around….’ A child, a family, a school/college, we want to unpick these a bit more, understand what they look like, where they work ‘best,’ why they might differ in contexts and whether these can help with more preventative approaches to PA and SA for the future. If you want to contribute to this ‘inquiry’ please get in touch.

If you have a suggestion that you feel could help achieve this ambition we would like to connect with you. Amanda Olvanhill, Head of Post-16 Progression and Careers, Education Service, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council. T: 07870 158812 or Email: amanda.olvanhill@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk and / or Alan Graver, (MD) Skyblue Research Ltd T: 0794 000 4560 Email: alan@skyblue.org.uk.

 

This Project is funded by Anglo American and managed by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council